RECORD BREAKER
ISAAH YEO WILL THIS WEEKEND BECOME THE MOST CAPPED PANTHER IN HISTORY, SURPASSING THE LONG-TIME RECORD OF STEVE CARTER COVERAGE: PAGES 41, 48 AND 49
Photo: NRL Photos.
Hthe finalword
ow much do Cronulla want it?
That is the lead question heading into Saturday night’s Preliminary Final between the Panthers and Sharks at Accor Stadium, but there’s plenty of follow-up queries too.
Is breaking the Finals hoodoo and getting over the Cowboys last week enough for Craig Fitzgibbon’s side? Is the sheer relief of that victory enough?
Can they back it up two weeks in a row? Will the fact nobody expects them to win work in their favour?
Is the fact they haven’t scored against Penrith in their last two outings a factor?
Meanwhile, There’s little questions surrounding Penrith. They know Preliminary Finals. There would only be standard nerves heading into this one, nothing out of the ordinary. The preparation, you would imagine, will be first class.
And there’s no doubt that the week off works
to Penrith’s advantage. The likes of Nathan Cleary and Dylan Edwards, both carrying injuries, would have soaked up the break.
But more than the physical advantage, the week off gives the coaching staff the opportunity to plan the fortnight before the game in meticulous detail. In the first week, there’s no media commitments to worry about and all the focus is off you. In the second week, it’s all about going through the motions – nobody is talking about your game from last week or what it all means.
But we go back to that question: How much does Cronulla want it?
They’ll say they want it, of course. But there will always be clues along the way to suggest they might not have.
Take Craig Fitzgibbon’s press conference after the win over the Cowboys for instance.
“We’ve got a decent challenge on our hands,” he said.
“We’re so grateful just to still be here.
“It’s going to be a stiff challenge... we’re so excited to be here.”
Now the Sharks coach was talking after an important win and the most crucial words he uses this week will be to his players.
But does the above sound like fighting words? Not to me.
Indeed, it sounds like a coach who probably knows Penrith has his side’s measure – but they’ll give it one mighty crack anyway.
Cronulla’s win over North Queensland last weekend didn’t set the world on fire. The Cowboys missed 50 tackles and it was only the strong performance of Braydon Trindall that kept the pressure off Nicho Hynes, who was having cups of tea with Harold Holt for portions of the game.
But here’s the main thing I learned out of last week’s semi final: Cronulla can’t go with Penrith for 80 minutes.
Does that guarantee the Panthers a win? Of course not. The Sharks could hit gold and go
up 18-0 thanks to strong momentum and then defend their way to a victory. Indeed, I expect them to start strong. They would have talked about it all week after the way Penrith started against the Roosters.
But Penrith’s strength is toying with you; letting you think you’re on top and then suddenly putting the foot down to go past you. They will control the tempo of the game and when momentum is lost, they will strangle you until they get it back.
Anything can happen in 80 minutes of football. A send off, a sin bin, a big injury.
And Cronulla didn’t make it to the Preliminary Final by accident. They’ve had a decent season.
But you can’t ignore the reality that Penrith are just better from 1-17.
The Sharks will go with the Panthers for a little while, but in the end, the cream will rise to the top.
Tip: Panthers by 16.
CAN THE ROOSTERS SPRING AN UPSET?
Melbourne Storm v Sydney Roosters. Friday, September 27, 7.50pm. AAMI Park.
According to most experts, victory for Melbourne in this Friday night Preliminary Final against the Sydney Roosters at AAMI Park is almost a certainty.
In fact, it’d almost be worth the Roosters giving up their plane seats for Melbourne-bound Swans fans desperate to get to the AFL Grand Final.
But of course, not everything always goes to plan in rugby league.
Yes, this Melbourne team has been dominant all season. Yes, they finished Minor Premiers comfortably. And yes, they easily got through their week one Finals clash with a comfortable victory over Cronulla.
But there’s just something about this Roosters team that would suggest they’re not dead yet.
Sure, the loss to the Raiders in the penultimate round of the competition proper was costly, both in terms of a home Final and more importantly season-ending injuries to Sam Walker and Brandon Smith.
But the Roosters have enough
quality across the park to recover and reset from those blows, they just needed time to do it.
And the loss of Jared Waerea-Har-
greaves around the same time through suspension didn’t help either. In fact it was probably the most crucial factor in the side’s slow
start against the Panthers in week one of the Finals. Had he been there, I question whether the Roosters would have fallen behind 24-0 before
clicking into gear and putting up some sort of fight. The Roosters got their opening all wrong.
The Roosters showed a steadying of the ship against the Sea Eagles last Saturday night. They were helped by two unlucky injuries to the Sea Eagles in the opening set of the game, but they turned up with a different mindset to the one they took to Penrith the week prior.
Waerea-Hargreaves was superb, while Sandon Smith is finding his feet steering the side around. And then Victor Radley’s desperation to play – and subsequent reward with the first try – suggests the Roosters still have plenty of belief.
And then there’s James Tedesco: a flash of career-best form at the back end of the year.
I’ve almost convinced myself to tip the Roosters here.
But then I look at the side Melbourne will run out with on the weekend and it’s hard to go past them. There’s just so much quality there and I feel Jahrome Hughes will own this contest and won’t let the Storm faithful down.
I’m expecting this to be a much closer game than many predict, but Melbourne’s professionalism combined with their freshness from a week off should be enough.
Tip: Storm by 6.
panther rumblings
CHEERS FOR JESS AND NICK!
! Former Pantherette ties the knot: Jessica Gilarte, who won Big League’s coveted Cheerleader of the Year competition in 2015, was married to her long-time partner Nick last weekend. The former Pantherette tied the knot at Jaspers in Berry in front of family and friends.
! Bizarre Buzz: Telegraph journalist Phil Rothfield knows the rumour around Nathan Cleary quitting the NRL and playing in the English Super League is absolute hogwash. And he even checked it with Panthers boss Brian Fletcher and Cleary’s manager, just in case. Both shut it down, but ‘Buzz’ published it on Sunday anyway. Despite its lack of substance, the story spread like wildfire over the next 24 hours. I’m not having a crack at rumours being published (after all, I often do the same!) but they need to come from at least half-respectable sources if you’re going to publish them, names and all. The Cleary rumours do not. Ironically, Buzz’s team the Sharks just happens to be playing Penrith this week.
! Spotted: Channel Nine NRL commentator Mat Thompson stocking up at Gourmet Meat Co in Emu Heights last week. Gourmet Meat Co is run by Bill McDeed, a mad Panthers fan and sponsor (pictured below with Jarome Luai). A number of Penrith players use Gourmet Meat Co as their go-to butcher.
! Behind the Panthers: It’s great to see so many businesses and schools already getting behind the Panthers ahead of the Preliminary Final this weekend. Nangamay Public School even blared ‘Go The Mighty Panthers’ through its speakers this week. How good.
! Busy week ahead: Should the Panthers make the Grand Final with victory over Cronulla on Saturday it will kick off one of the busiest weeks of the year for the club. The
way earlier in the week, and then there’s the Dally M Awards on Wednesday night. The final public commitment will likely be on Thursday before the two competing sides bunker down for final preparations.
! Moseley’s double crown: Kierran Moseley’s NRL career never quite took off, but he’s never given up on footy. The hooker played one NRL game for Penrith in 2014 (pictured) after coming through the NYC
games with the Titans across 2015 and 2016, he disappeared from the NRL landscape. He’s been plying his trade as captain of the Norths Devils, who won the QLD Cup competition last weekend. The 30-year-old will now be at Accor Stadium on Grand Final Day as part of the State Championship.
! Dream team: Four Penrith players have been included in the Rugby League Players’ Association Dream Team for 2024. Isaah Yeo, Jarome Luai, Brian To’o and Dylan Edwards have all made the team. The Panthers had the most representatives in the 14-man team, which is designed to recognise the best players in each position.
! Yeo honoured: As part of celebrations surrounding Isaah Yeo’s record-breaking 244th game for Penrith, a commemorative t-shirt has been released by the club. You can get it from the Panther Shop.
! Spotted: Which Panthers official had a heated conversation with a News Corp journalist over recent coverage surrounding the club?
! NRLW Finals are here: The NRLW Finals kick-off this weekend with the Broncos taking on the Sharks and the Roosters tackling the Knights. It’s been one of the most competitive NRLW seasons on record. The winners of matches this weekend will go straight through to the Grand Final, which will be played prior to the NRL Grand Final next Sunday.
! See you next week: I’ll be back on deck next week regardless of Penrith’s result on Saturday night. Here’s hoping it’s part of the Weekender’s Grand Final commemorative wraparound feature, but if not, there will be a special season review edition of Extra Time
Nick and Jess.
TO’O AND PRELIMS GO HAND IN HAND!
Big game player is a term often used to describe a person who can deliver on the big stage and is not overawed by the occasion.
One man who screams ‘big game player’ more than most is three-time Panthers Premiership winner, Brian To’o.
To’o, or ‘Mr Prelim’ as Extra Time has coined him this week, knows exactly what it takes to perform when everything is on the line.
The 26-year-old State of Origin champion is the only player in Panthers history to score in four consecutive Preliminary Finals – crossing the line an incredible five times, to help his side to the first Sunday in October.
Speaking with Extra Time ahead of his fifth straight Prelim this Saturday night, To’o said despite obvious pre-game nerves, he rises to the occasion for one very simple reason.
“It pretty much comes down to being a do-or-die game, it’s all or nothing,” he admitted.
“There’s definitely a bit of nerves there. But I always try and treat every game – no matter the occasion – like it’s every other game, but there’s definitely a lot of high emotions throughout Prelim week.”
Emotion in sport can often be a good thing if a
player is able to harness that energy and put it to a positive use out on the field.
To’o will be hoping to do just that when his side take on the Cronulla Sharks at Accor Stadium. The Samoan international said it’s hugely important that this weekend’s game isn’t the last for a number of departing Panthers stars.
“Obviously the boys that are departing have done so much for the club and I think it will be a good to send them off on a high note,” To’o said.
“Hopefully we can dial it in with all that emotion and try and win the next two games.”
Penrith go into Saturday’s clash as heavy favourites over Craig Fitzgibbon’s men, with not many punters – apart from the odd die-hard Sharkies supporter – giving them much of a chance to stop the defending Premiers from contesting their fifth straight decider.
To’o said, despite Penrith’s monster 42-0 victory over the Sharks in Round 12, anything can happen during Finals’ time.
“This whole competition has been a different kind of rollercoaster, and the Sharks have been a top tier team. Last week’s game [against the Cowboys] showed what they can do, and it makes me excited for the game ahead,” he said.
“Any game [in the NRL] is pretty much unpredictable and it could go anyone’s way, but I think it’s about which team is ready to turn up on the day. I can’t wait for it!”
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Brian To’o is keen for another Preliminary Final on Saturday. Photo: Melinda Jane.
MILESTONE MAN: YEO’S PLACE IN HISTORY
During the 2014 season, a few months after making his NRL debut, a 19-year-old kid by the name of Isaah Yeo sat down with Extra Time to talk about his rookie season so far and his hopes for the future.
The interview took place at Penrith Park in early June, and Yeo hadn’t lost a game in first grade or NSW Cup yet – it was the perfect start to what would end up being an amazing career.
“I’m loving life at the moment,” Yeo said to your writer at the time.
“I honestly didn’t think I’d be playing first grade at all this year. I thought I’d play Under 20s all year with a handful of NSW Cup games, so it came as a real shock.”
With a host of talent coming through the Panthers system like Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Bryce Cartwright, the Penrith supporter base was also in shock when a tall, lanky kid from Dubbo became the first of them all to get a crack at the big time.
Yeo’s current coach, Ivan Cleary, was the man to hand him his surprise debut during a Round 1 match-up at home against Wayne Bennett’s Newcastle Knights.
“Ivan just said he was happy with my work ethic during the pre-season and the year before that in the Under 20s. I think that helped me a fair bit being picked,” Yeo said in 2014.
Yeo played in the centres that Saturday afternoon and no one could’ve predicted he’d carve out an illustrious career as a lock many years later.
“I’m a really big fan of Elijah Taylor’s work ethic… I’m not much of a flashy player, so I try and do what he does by making lots of tackles and hit-ups,” Yeo said.
“I hope to continue improving.”
And improve he did.
Yeo would go on to play for his state and country, co-captain his club, and win three consecutive NRL Premierships – and possibly a fourth, if things go to plan in the coming weeks.
But among all the Preliminary Finals hype this weekend, Yeo will unlock an achievement no-one would’ve predicted a decade ago would ever come his way.
When the proud father of three steps out onto the Accor Stadium pitch this Saturday night, he’ll break the all-time club record for the most games played. With his 244th appearance, Yeo will surpass club legend Steve Carter, who held the record with 243 caps.
a home for himself at lock. He was playing second-row and centre when I first came in and his meteoric rise has been crazy, but he’s always been a really reliable guy and just a good guy to have around.”
To celebrate Yeo’s record-breaking achievement, the club this week released a commemorative t-shirt for fans to purchase ahead of this weekend’s clash against Cronulla.
Cleary said Yeo is like an older brother to him and that he deserves everything that comes his
“244 games is incredible feat and I know Yeoy will be humble about it, so I’ll talk him up,” he
“Yeoy has been there since I debuted and I’ve always seen him like an older brother, and he’s probably formed into more of a dad figure to the rest of the group now. He’s the sort of guy everyone looks to, to see if we’re doing the right thing – he keeps everyone in check.
“But the thing that stands out the most is his consistency, it’s unbelievable. What he does every single week, in the middle, playing 80 minutes – you don’t see that often – and he’s the big reason for our success.
“To see him break the record… I still look at him and think he’s quite young – even though he looks old – he’s still quite young. And to be the most capped at a club like Penrith, I couldn’t think of a better person than him. Just his leadership and consistency really stand out for me and I love that guy.”
In a soon to be released podcast by the Western Weekender, 54-year-old Steve Carter said he couldn’t think of a better player to break his long-standing record than Yeo.
“He’s tough, he’s durable, he’s skilful. He’s come from the bush and he’s just a great footballer and a great person off the field,” Carter said.
“You wouldn’t get a better player on or off the field than Isaah Yeo.”
Yeo said he was honoured to hear Carter’s praise for everything that he’s achieved after 243 games.
“Steve’s said nothing but nice things about me and I’m very grateful for that,” the 29-year-old said.
“I received a message before the Roosters game last week when I was tying the record and it said, ‘Steve was a wonderful player and an ultra-competitor’. And I guess anytime you can be associated with someone like that, that’s a good feeling.
“He’s obviously a legend of the club, very durable, played a number of different positions like myself, so it’s pretty special.”
Lock Isaah Yeo will break Steve Carter’s record this weekend. Photo: Melinda Jane.
panthers
Extra Time Issue Number 2023-30
PRODUCED BY The Western Weekender
EDITOR Troy Dodds / 4722 2998 / troy.dodds@westernweekender.com.au
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You can’t be a great team without a great coach. So, it’s not surprising that all teams in the top four have the best coaches in this year’s competition.
However not all coaches are born equal, so I thought I’d rank the top four coaches in order, how they performed this year and their team’s chance to win the 2024 NRL Premiership.
The rankings are for the 2024 season only, not on their overall coaching record. Let’s get started...
way his side plays. He may tinker with the game plan depending on the opponent though, but that’s about it. The Storm deserve outright favouritism for the 2024 Premiership as they’ve been the best side all season.
Premiership ranking: A+
Cleary, well he guided the Panthers into their fifth straight Preliminary Final.
Premiership ranking: A
Craig Fitzgibbon – 7/10:
RANKING THE FINAL FOUR COACHES lang on league analysis
Craig Bellamy – 9/10: I have great respect for “Bellyache” and how he moulded this team into a genuine Premiership contender.
The side only lost five games all year despite some serious injuries to key personal. The Storm are very experienced when it comes to finals football and I don’t expect Bellamy
Ivan Cleary – 8/10: It was a great coaching performance by Ivan Cleary this year considering his son and halfback Nathan Cleary only played 10 first grade games. There were other key players injured throughout the season and this, plus the release of Taylan May, made for a very disrupted year. Still, it did give coach Cleary the chance to blood some promising young players like Casey McLean, Luron Patea and Trent Toelau. Now while Penrith weren’t as dominant in 2024 as in past seasons, they still finished with the number one defence in the league, while Ivan
Trent Robinson – 7.5/10: Despite rarely giving credit to the opposition, Trent Robinson had a great year coaching his side to third place at the end of the regular season. Robinson had the Chooks humming at one point and looking every bit a premiership contender. The attacking brand of football played by the Roosters was sensational. They may not have the best defence but they don’t have to because they blitzed every other team in attack, scoring a phenomenal 738 points. If Robinson can navigate his troops, minus halfback Sam Walker and hooker Brandon Smith to a premiership in 2024, it could well become his greatest coaching achievement ever.
Premiership ranking: B
Fitzgibbon is the least experienced coach of the four remaining in the competition, but he still deserves plenty of credit. In only his third full year with the first-grade whistle, he guided the Sharks to a top four finish. He also broke his ‘no finals win hoodoo’ with a victory over the Cowboys last weekend. Fitzy has also had his fair share of coaching dramas in 2024 with key players injured and halfback Nicho Hynes suffering a crisis of confidence. The Sharks are at long-odds to defeat the Panthers this Saturday night and book an unlikely Grand Final appearance, but if anyone can inspire such an upset, Fitzgibbon and his team of Sharks can.
Premiership ranking: C+
My tip for the 2024 Premiership decider: Penrith v Melbourne. The two best teams – and coaches – all year deserve to be there!
Storm coach Craig Bellamy.
Panthers coach Ivan Cleary.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson.
Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon.
panther memories
Check out this photo of Penrith Park from the 1984 season.
The most obvious flashback is the famous electronic scoreboard, still only a few years’ old at this point.
Old sponsorship signs including Winfield, McWilliam’s Wines, AGC and 2SM can be seen.
The amenities block at this end of the ground was upgraded down the track, with a security box also installed to the right of the scoreboard.
A bar was also installed at this end of the ground, and it soon became known as ‘beer hill’, though for obvious reasons the club never gave it that name officially.
(Photo by Ivan Woolfe)
