PENRITH’S NEXT BIG THING
LURON PATEA HAS ONLY PLAYED ONE NRL GAME, BUT IT’S CLEAR HE HAS A BIG FUTURE AT PENRITH. ONE-ON-ONE WITH NATHAN TAYLOR: SEE PAGE 31.
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Photo: Melinda Jane.
LOVING LURON: FORWARD ON THE RISE
With his dad the most recent coach of the Penrith Emus, Luron Patea’s career could’ve went in a whole different direction.
Playing both union and league growing up, Patea is a product of the famed Panthers Pathways system but, something many may not know, he was also a gun in the sport his dad Ronnie lived and breathed.
While Patea played his entire junior representative footy with the Panthers – Harold Matthews, SG Ball and Jersey Flegg – he also devoted plenty of time to the 15-man game.
A Penrith RSL Rugby Union junior and Penrith Emus Colts rising star, Patea was selected to represent the Australian Schoolboys in Japan back in 2022.
During his time with the Emus in the ACT Vets Colts Cup, Patea played alongside his close friend Isaiya Katoa, who is now making a name for himself as halfback of the Dolphins.
Eventually, when it got to the crunch, Patea had to make a choice between a potential career in the NRL or one in the wild world of rugby.
He could’ve easily been a star in both, but it was rugby league and the defending Premiers that won out in the end.
So, when Patea called his father Ronnie late last month to let him know he was debuting in first grade for the Panthers that weekend, the tears started flowing.
“Dad was really emotional after I called him to let him know that I was going to play,” Patea told Extra Time
“He was just so happy for me whether I played union or league, he was just happy to see me happy playing footy.
“He’s been really supportive, especially last year when I made my decision to stick with
league. He just wanted me to be happy and play my best footy.”
The 19-year-old prop was strong on debut, playing a solid 21 minutes off the bench and racking up a perfect 17 from 17 tackles.
Patea said everything about his debut, apart from the result, was a dream come true.
“I’m still buzzing!” he said.
“It was a really big moment for not only myself, but also my family. It’s something that I’ll remember forever and I’m just really grateful.”
Just a week prior to his debut, it was confirmed that Patea would be remaining with the Panthers until the end of 2027 – meaning Penrith supporters and the entire playing group will be getting to know him more and more in the years to come.
“We’ll be seeing a lot of him,” three-time premiership winner Moses Leota said.
“He’s got plenty of talent. He’s very powerful, skilful and just really aggressive. That’s what you want from your forwards and he’s a good candidate for next year.”
Along with departing Panther James Fisher-Harris and former Panther turned Rooster Spencer Leniu, Leota is a mentor to the young New Zealander, taking him under his wing at training and away from the paddock.
“Me and Fish just try and instil work ethic into them, especially the young boys coming through,” Leota said.
“We teach them some drills that we do at training, we also do a bit of extras and stuff like that. We try and build their game around work ethic.”
Patea, who will turn out for Penrith in NSW Cup this weekend, said he’s beyond grateful for all the advice and mentorship he receives.
“There’s things they do that I watch or see that I want to implement into my game,” he said.
“Having those guys here, being mentors towards us young fellas, they’re really good to learn off.”
Panthers rookie forward Luron Patea. Photo: Melinda Jane.
panther rumblings
WHAT’S UP WITH TURUVA?
! The trouble with Turuva: You’d have to wonder if Sunia Turuva will finish the season in first grade for the Panthers. Last Friday, he was dropped for the second time this season, relegated to 18th man against the Broncos while Daine Laurie was shifted to the wing. As it turned out, Laurie suffered a hamstring injury and Turuva is likely to be back in the side against the Dolphins next week – unless coach Ivan Cleary goes in a different direction. Cleary rested Turuva earlier this year after contract negotiations became a distraction. With the 2023 Rookie of the Year off to the Tigers next year, it’s clear not everything is 100 per cent hunky dory with the 21-year-old.
! Vegas, baby!: The NRL finally confirmed details of next year’s Las Vegas footy festival earlier this week. An almost-secret launch was held last week with only selected media invited, all holding their stories and photos until everything was finally announced on Tuesday afternoon. As expected, the Panthers will play the Sharks in the final match of an action-packed day at Allegiant Stadium on March 1. Four games will be played in total, including a Women’s Test between Australia and England, a Super League match between Wigan and Warrington and another NRL game between the Raiders and Warriors. Travel packages are on sale now.
! Panthers stick with the strip: While planning for Vegas is still in the early stages, I’m told Penrith plan to spend the entirety of their build-up in Las Vegas itself. Some clubs last year opted to train away from Vegas and came into the city late. The Panthers are planning to spend all of their time at accommodation
in Vegas, and will lock in nearby training facilities.
! Taylan jets off: Former Penrith back Taylan May (pictured) headed to England some time before last Friday’s settlement was revealed. Keen to avoid a nasty legal battle, May and Penrith agreed on terms to facilitate the controversial player’s exit from the club last Thursday night. The exact details of May’s pay out are being kept confidential. May was already in England by then to catch up with his brother Tyrone, who ironically also left the Panthers in less than ideal circumstances back in 2021. Taylan watched on as Tyrone played for Hull KR in a 15-14 loss to Catalans over the weekend. Taylan’s future may well be in
if he is ultimately found guilty of domestic violence offences next year.
! Staff put through their paces: Things are certainly kept interesting if you’re working for the Panthers. Kevin Kingston recently took 20 staff through an NRL training session, starting in the gym before heading out onto the field. I’m told it was a huge hit – and Julie from reception was the star of the show. Marketing man Darren Micallef also aced the session.
! Spotted: Is there nothing Ivan Cleary can’t do? He helped set up the advertising signage for his press conference after the game against
the Broncos last Friday night after media manager Michael Blok declared it was a two man job. Always looking after the sponsors.
! Laurie in halves frame: Daine Laurie is among the leading contenders to replace Jarome Luai in the halves next season after signing a one-year extension last week. Coach Ivan Cleary said Laurie is a chance to wear the number six on his back next year. “There’s a real chance for that and he’s definitely an option,” he said. “He’s got good instincts and this year when he’s got the opportunity, he’s just taken it.”
! McRae backs comeback: Scott McRae has confirmed he would return as ground announcer for a one-off cameo to farewell Penrith Park later this year. It comes after the Weekender’s Peter Lang began a push for
McRae to return as a nod to his tenure at the ground. The Panthers may find the reaction hard to ignore – there’s been a huge response to Lang’s column. I’m told it’s one of the most viewed ‘Lang on League’ columns of the year.
! Bookies lock in 2003 re-match: The Sydney Roosters have shortened significantly with the bookmakers after a strong middle part of the season. They’re now at $3.75 to win the competition with the TAB. That makes them second favourites behind Penrith at $3.00. The TAB is backing a Panthers v Roosters season decider in October, with Penrith at $1.80 to make the Grand Final and Trent Robinson’s side at $2.10. Despite leading the competition, Craig Bellamy’s Melbourne are third favourites to win the title at $5.00 and $2.50 to make the Grand Final.
England – his list of suitors in Australia will be reasonably small, especially
Sunia Turuva and Daine Laurie chat last week. Photo: NRL Photos.
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Missed last week’s results? Here’s a rundown of what happened in key Penrith Panthers games...
Tries: J Cole, B To’o, M Kenny Goals: D Edwards 1/3
Tries: R Walsh Goals: R Walsh 1/1
Tries: P Hotere-Papalii 2, J Liddiard, B Moran, A Leilua, L Philp, A Hotere-Papalii Goals: J Liddiard 3, Z Lamont 1
Tries: S Loka 2, A Qoro Goals: S Vunibola 2/3
Tries: P Kepaoa 2, V Tamati, N Verevakabau, J Rizk Goals: V Tamati 5/5
Tries: R Stokes, J Nohra, L Magalogo Goals: J Nohra 3/3
There’s been a lot of speculation as to who will fill the huge shoes of James Fisher-Harris when he departs Penrith at the end of the season.
Plenty of names have been bandied about but personally I’d like to see new recruit for 2025 Isaiah Papali’i get first crack at the soon-to-be-vacant front row spot alongside Moses Leota.
First up, yes, the Panthers already have some classy contenders within their playing ranks to cover the position and careful consideration must be given to Lindsay Smith, Liam Henry and even Luron Patea being given a shot.
Of those three contenders, I don’t support Patea being thrust into a starting spot so early in his first-grade career. He’s a good kid and looks like a fine prospect but no way is he ready to take on the ‘week-to-week grind’ of playing front-row in the world’s toughest rugby league competition.
Liam Henry is a little further down the track but he’s still developing and getting used to playing with the big boys, so he’s probably ideally, a year or two off a starting spot as well.
Which leaves the team with Lindsay Smith, who from of all the above suggestions, is probably next-in-line and worth careful consideration.
signed a three-year contract, which will see him become a Panther until the end of 2027. Now for starters, Papali’i is no rookie. He has played 148 first grade games and been playing regular first grade since 2017.
He also has the frame for it. Papali’i is 182cm tall and weighs between 108-111kg. For comparison Fisher-Harris is 5cm taller but also five kilos lighter.
Papali’i has also already played prop during his career. Granted it’s only been in five games, but he’s shown that he can handle the position.
Yes, it’s true that in 2021 Papali’i won the Dally M Second-Rower of the Year Award but that was three years ago and a lot has changed for the man nicknamed ‘Ice’ since then.
SOLVING FRONT ROW HEADACHE lang on league
There is no way in the world that I would entertain the idea of moving an edge weapon like Liam Martin into a battering ram position like prop. Martin is fast becoming the best secondrower in the game, so to stunt his development in that position would be criminal.
with Peter Lang
Finally, Scott Sorensen is a warrior and a workhorse but at his age (31) he is best served as an edge forward, so let’s take him out of the equation too.
So, I come back to Isaiah Papali’i who recently
His stint at the Tigers, which began last year, can best be described as ‘disappointing’. In the second-row, he has struggled to get involved and when he has, he looks uninterested and ineffective at times.
At prop Papali’i would get far more involved and bring the type of leg-speed and drive which would make him a perfect ‘one-two punch’ with Moses Leota, who also possess a similar frame and leg speed drive.
It wouldn’t surprise me at all if Papali’i ends up in the front-row at some point in his career with Penrith.
I’d just rather see that transition happen sooner rather than later.
player of the year
The Western Weekender Penrith Panthers Player of the Year competition runs throughout the season, with our four experts delivering a 3, 2, 1 rating for the best Panthers players from each Penrith game. The player with the most votes at the end of the season is crowned our Player of the Year.
Isaiah Papali’i should play prop for Penrith, says Peter Lang. Photo: NRL Images.
panther memories
The Panthers struggled through the 1960s and 1970s, but by the time 1984 rolled around, they were maturing into a competitive footy side.
That was evident in the 1984 season, when the Panthers missed the Finals by a single point. They won 12 games, lost 11 and drew one – finishing on 29 points, behind Souths and Canberra on 30 who played off for fifth spot.
Penrith were in the box seat to make the Finals with two rounds to go, but lost to the Raiders and Eels in the final games of the season to miss out.
While the Panthers didn’t make the Finals, there was so much room for optimism.
Teenager Greg Alexander would make his debut in 1984, playing 22 games for the club.
And there was a feeling a sleeping giant had been awoken.
Pictured is Steve Robinson and Warren Fenton sharing a winning moment during the 1984 season.
(Photo thanks to Panthers: Men In Black).
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