DYLAN’S HONOUR MASKED PANTHER PLAYERS GO ON BOOZE BAN, ALAN MAIR CALLS IT QUITS AND SO MUCH MORE PAGE 36 FACE IN THE CROWD WIN HOYTS MOVIE TICKETS IF OUR CAMERAS SPOTTED YOU AT THE GAME PAGE 41 MATT RUSSELL FOX LEAGUE BROADCASTER SHARES HIS VIEW ON LEAGUE’S BIGGEST ISSUES PAGE 37 ENJOYING THE BEST SEASON OF HIS CAREER, FULLBACK DYLAN EDWARDS WAS ON MONDAY NIGHT NAMED THE WINNER OF THE MERV CARTWRIGHT MEDAL FOR 2022. DETAILS PAGE 35 Brought to you by
Across the regular season, the 2021 NRL Premiership winner averaged 218 metres per game, to go with eight tries, six try assists, 10 line breaks and 98 tackle breaks.
tries in 21 games in his first full year in the top grade.Panthers members also selected May’s Round 6 try against the Brisbane Broncos at BlueBet Stadium as the Try of the Year.
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EDWARDS,feature MAY WIN CLUB’S TOP AWARDS
« the western weekender • extra time 35Friday, September 16, 2022
Held at the EVAN Theatre inside Panthers
Forward and soon-to-be Eels recruit J’maine Hopgood was named the NSW Cup Player of the Year after guiding that side to a Grand Final appearance, while Dolphins-bound halfback and Glenmore Park Brumbies junior Sean O’Sullivan secured the Senior Education Award for his academic achievements in 2022.
hree years ago he was battling for his career in reserve grade, and now popular Penrith fullback Dylan Edwards is a Merv Cartwright Medal winner.
The 26-year-old was named the club’s Player of the Year for 2022 on Monday night following an outstanding season that’s also put him in the mix for the NRL’s Dally M Medal later this month.Aswell as being named the club’s best and fairest this season, Edwards also claimed the Members Player of the Year – proving King Dyl’s popularity among the fan-base is at an all-time high.
Outgoing Panthers Equipment Manager Alan Mair was announced Club Person of the Year following an incredible four-decade involve ment with Penrith.
“We come into work every day and we just enjoy each other’s company. We all get along really well and it doesn’t feel like a job at all, really.”Edwards also gave a special mention to the club’s coaching staff, in particular Cameron Ciraldo, who will depart the club at season’s end.“Ialso want to thank the coaches, who put a lot of time and work into all of us, but they’ve definitely made me a better footballer,” he said.
Fullback Dylan Edwards won his first Merv Cartwright Medal on Monday night. Photo: Penrith Panthers.
Engine room leader and Kiwi international James Fisher-Harris received the John Farragher Award for Courage and Determination for the third time in four years, in recognition of his hard work and dedication this season.
NATHAN TAYLOR
teammates for turning him into the player he is“I’mtoday.very grateful and very lucky to play alongside such a great bunch of boys and even the whole squad,” he said.
“I definitely wouldn’t be here without those guys, especially Ciro. I’m sad to see him leave the club this year but I’m very thankful for what you’ve done for me, Ciro.”
Other big winners on the night included exciting winger Taylan
panther rumblings
“The Panthers were brutal in their win over the Eels last weekend. Cleary had a brilliant return game and will be instrumental in
! Mair to depart Penrith: Long-time Pan thers Equipment Manager Alan Mair is moving on at the end of the season. After first joining the club in the 1980s, Mair has had a long and proud history at the foot of the Mountains and took out the Club Person of the Year award at the Merv Cartwright Medal on Monday night. Mair’s departure is of his own choosing.
! Wayne’s deserved win: Congratulations to Wayne Neville from Penrith Brothers who picked up the Ray Stellar Club Person of the Year award at the Brad Fittler on ofCupseythenamedwas(pictured)JackMeantime,dayMonnight.ColeJerFleggPlayertheYear after a stellar season with Penrith.
Panthers are into their shortest quote of the season to win back-to-back NRL Premierships.
! Members for life: Panthers has gone back and awarded Life Membership to every player who contributed to the club’s 2003 Premiership success almost 20 years ago. The honour was bestowed upon the 1991 Premier ship-winning team but was overlooked in 2003. The club has also awarded Life Mem bership to the 2021 Premiership-winning side, including every player who played first grade during the season. The club’s Board recently approved the decision.
! Cutting it fine: Corporate ticket holders were only issued their passes to last Friday night’s Qualifying Final on the morning of the game. The NRL handles ticketing for all Finals matches and faced delays in getting the tickets for the match out to the clubs.
Off the drink.
After a $9000 and several $5000 wagers last weekend, Sportsbet have turned the Panthers from $2.25 into $1.80. The North Queensland Cowboys are the $5.00 second favourite. Pan thers star Nathan Cleary (pictured below) has also been heavily supported to win the Clive Churchill Medal. Cleary is $4.25 into $3.60 favourite, ahead of teammate Isaah Yeo at $11.
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! Accor locked in: Penrith will play their Preliminary Final at Accor Stadium next Saturday night even if it ends up being against South Sydney, who call the venue home. Despite both CommBank Stadium and Allianz Stadium being an option for week three Finals, Accor was always Penrith and the NRL’s preferred option. The Panthers don’t feel they have any sort of affinity with CommBank Sta dium while Allianz would feel like too much of an away trip and an unknown for Penrith, who are yet to play there. Tickets to the Preliminary Final against either Souths or the Sharks go on sale Monday.
! Booze ban: The Panthers are knuckling down on their push for back-to-back Prem ierships with a booze ban now in force at the club. The playing group has sworn off the drink until after the Grand Final as they work to ensure they’ve got every possible advantage in the big September matches. The beers cer tainly weren’t flowing at the Merv Cartwright Medal on Monday night, with even Player of the Year Dylan Edwards knocking back a tradi tional beverage on stage with Greg Alexander upon receiving the main award.
! Taylan’s dream over: Taylan May’s dream rookie season looks to be over after he picked up a hamstring injury (pictured) in the win over Parramatta last Friday. A suspension for a high tackle means he’ll miss next Saturday’s Preliminary Final regardless, but he’s at long odds to play in the Grand Final should Penrith make it. He hasn’t been officially ruled out and there’s no question the club would give him every chance to recover in time, but I’m told he’s only a small chance to play again this year.
them getting to the Grand Final and winning it,’’ said Sportsbet’s Sean Ormerod.
! Spotted: Former Panther Geoff Daniela with his kids in the Eastern Grandstand last Friday night cheering the side on against the Eels.
WITH THE MASKED PANTHER
! Punters back Panthers: The Penrith
! Spotted: Penrith’s Premiership-winning halfbacks Greg Alexander, Nathan Cleary and Craig Gower catching up at the Merv Cart wright Medal on Monday night.
As stated at the start. One factor bleeds into another and we swirl around and around. Welcome to the storm.
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much further does it need to go? Smok ing was seen as healthy once. Boxers are forced to have months off after being knocked out. In the Super League, at the very least, a concussion draws a compul sory week off.
perfect storm is headed towards the NRL and it’s not Melbourne.
Of all the discussion points about this wild afternoon – who got it wrong, what was right, and where to go next – the HIA’s should be the biggest thought bubble.Ihave been working sidelines for Fox League for years and the growth in the number of players forced off under HIA protocols is obvious.Ageneration ago, playing on after a concussion earnt a badge of honour. Today it is seen as a ticket to early retire ment and a dementia ward.
While related, the sin bins last weekend are nothing in comparison to the HIA’s.
It is fact that NRL players are getting fitter, faster, stronger and more powerful. They are being paid better than ever. The exposure and pressure is only growing. So, basically, everything on-field is intensifying.Alsogrowing is knowledge and concern about brain injuries.
Let’s hope this weekend sees a safe passage for every participant.
Cam Murray undergoes an on-field HIA. Photo: NRL Images
Like a good team, one relies on another. Last Sunday, a compelling but chaotic 80 minutes of game-time between the Roosters and Rabbitohs ran for more than two hours in real time, as seven players were sin-binned and five more sent for Head Injury Assess ments (HIA’s), of whom three didn’t return, including James Tedesco.
The NRL has come a long way, but how
If more care and concern has to be taken, clubs are going to need bigger squads. But how does that fit in with finances and expansion – where critics say we already don’t have enough elite talent?TheDolphins and maybe an 18th club can improve revenue, but they need players – and maybe every club will need more players if HIA protocols are tightened.Thehierarchy will want more players and teams to maximise its broadcast revenue and compete with other codes. How do you generate more players if Mums and Dads are more educated and concerned about head injuries? And it’s not as if country rugby league or junior participation is booming anyway.
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We have already seen players forced into early retirements from head knocks. Others are walking a tightrope. What happens from here?
Showing up on the radar are blips like participation, expansion, perception, revenue… and their compli cating factor, head injuries.
It will take good administration and cool heads to navigate a path.
posterpanthers RYAN GIRDLER legendsseries the western weekender • extra time »38 Friday, September 16, 2022
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Extra Time Issue Number 2022-028 PRODUCED BY The Western Weekender EDITOR Troy Dodds / 4722 troy.dodds@westernweekender.com.au2998 WRITERS Nathan Taylor, Peter Lang, Matt Russell, Lachlan Jeffery SALES DIRECTOR Chris Pennisi / 4722 Ischris.pennisi@westernweekender.com.au2998thisyouatarecentPenrithPanthers game? If it is, you’ve won a Hoyts Family Movie Pass to use at any Hoyts Cinema in Australia! To collect your prize, visit the Weekender office at 2/42-44 Abel Street, Jamisontown and ask for Nathan Taylor. IS THIS YOU? Face In The Crowd 1. I’ve played everywhere in the backline. 2. I had a brief stint at Penrith in 2014. 3. I’ve won several English Super League titles. 4. I captained my country this year. 5. I have a famous older brother. hidden pantherface in the crowd WHO AM I ? LAST WEEK’S ANSWER: Kevin Naiqama. CAN YOU SEEK OUT THE WEEK’SPANTHERHIDDENINTHISQUIZ? « the western weekender • extra time 41Friday, September 16, 2022 Thinking of making a move? think Peter Betros 0400 093 458 DREAM BIG SET GOAL TAKE ACTION WW47020
Jai Arrow.
So once again, here are my fearless predictions for this week.
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Game 1: Elimination Semi-Final –Parramatta Eels v Canberra Raiders. Friday, September 16 – CommBank Stadium, Parramatta. Kick-off: 7.50pm.
My tip: Eels by 2.
Game 2: Elimination Semi-Final – Cronulla Sharks v South Sydney Rabbitohs. Saturday, September 17 – Allianz Stadium, Sydney. Kick-off: 8.00pm. That was an extremely gutsy and impressive
PeterwithLang
hile the mighty Panthers and Cowboys take a well-earned rest, there are still two NRL Finals games to navigate through this weekend.
Raiders coach Ricky Stuart would have been incredibly proud of how his Green Machine never gave up and played their hearts out against tremendous opposition last Saturday. If they play with as much spirit and flair against the Eels, they will be in with a shot of upsetting Parramatta at their home ground. In saying that, Parramatta were fierce for the first 50 minutes of their match against the Panthers, until their completion rate went down the toilet and their halfback went down with 20 to go. I saw enough from the Eels however to confidently predict that they can bounce back and defeat a tough Raiders outfit by the narrowest of margins.
performance last weekend by the Bunnies against their arch rivals, while the Sharks used up plenty of juice in their clash against the Cowboys. It’s difficult to see Cronulla being able to lift themselves for this do-or-die contest, against a battle-hardened South Sydney team, many of whom, played in last year’s Grand Final. This is where I think the game will be won and lost, big-game experience, the Rabbitohs have it, the Sharks don’t. The Bunnies’ defence also looked far more impressive while Cronulla leaked 32 points.
My tip: Rabbitohs by 12.
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All four teams in action will know that only two can go through to the Preliminary Final to meet either Penrith or North Queensland for the chance to make the 2022 NRL Grand Final. The other two can start planning their Mad Monday celebrations.
« the western weekender • extra time 43Friday, September 16, 2022
The Panthers faced more pres sure, losing Preston Riki to the sin bin for a professional foul. Almost immediately, Newtown scored through Kade Dykes.
Niwhai Puru found space to set up his brother Hohepa to score, before a late Dragons try made it 26-8 at the break.
Two quick tries brought the Dragons back to 26-20, before a crucial dropped ball gave the Panthers field position, leading to an Ativalu Lisati try.
Penrith took a 14-12 lead to half-time after a cut-out by Char lie Staines put Sunia Turuva over.
Just as Riki was preparing to return, the Jets scored where he would have been.
They will go on to face the Sydney Roosters in the Prelim inary Final on Saturday after noon, while the NSW Cup side has the week off ahead of the Grand Final.
LachlanwithJeffery
Tiring and under enormous pressure, the Panthers contin ued to hang on, eventually scoring a try through Keegan Russell-Smith on the siren to claim a well-earned win.
he Penrith Panthers are through to the Knock-On Effect NSW Cup Grand Final after defeating the Newtown Jets 28-18 at Netstrata Jubilee Oval.
The Jersey Flegg Panthers also kept their season alive, beating St George-Illawarra 36-26 in a thriller.ThePanthers took a quick 12-4 lead as both teams scored following penalties.
A vital strip on the line saved Penrith from falling further behind and gave them a chance to advance downfield, where a kick bounced perfectly for Sean O’Sullivan to score.
They struck twice shortly after the resumption, with Jennings and Turuva both registering doubles, the latter immediately after Newtown lost Dykes to the sinVincebin. Rennie sliced through to score for Newtown and cut the margin to six with 24 minutes remaining, however the Jets couldn’t crack the Panthers defence, instead conceding a
They took control of the game as Isaiah Iongi came up with some brilliant touches, first to set up Cody Lawson out wide, then scoring himself minutes later.
Penrith’s Jersey Flegg team are through to the Preliminary Final.
ONE DOWN, ONE TO GO AS CUP QUALIFIES FOR GRAND FINAL lowergradesreport
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The Panthers were put under pressure early, but scored first through Robert Jennings.
pair of late penalty goals, which helped the clock wind down.
The Dragons continued to push, scoring in the corner to cut the deficit to 32-26.
@LachlanJeffery
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