Extra Time April 29 2022 (Round 8) by Western Sydney Publishing Group

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Stephen Crichton celebrating last weekend’s win. Photo: NRL Images.

TRY AND STOP US UNBEATEN PANTHERS RETURN TO QUEENSLAND FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2021 GRAND FINAL WIN MATCH PREVIEW PAGE 27

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MASKED PANTHER DOLPHINS DENY O’SULLIVAN APPROACH; KIDS MIGHT FOLLOW IN FISH’S FOOTSTEPS PAGE 28

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Friday, April 29, 2022 « the western weekender

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the western weekender • extra time » Friday, April 29, 2022

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James Fisher-Harris. Photo: NRL Images.

TROY DODDS

nd right on cue, it begins. Nathan Cleary is a protected species. Penrith fans are arrogant. Ref’s fault. The boys are enjoying themselves too much. One after another, the critics keep lining up ready to take their shot. We’ve been here before, of course. Ironically, it was against Canberra in 2021 that the ‘mug lairs’ line and criticism of Penrith’s over-the-top celebrations came to the fore. We all know how 2021 ended. The fans know this Penrith team better than anyone and that’s all that matters. You would not meet a more family-centred, grounded and community-focused group of players anywhere in the NRL. Other clubs have dealt with this over the years too. Melbourne fans for years had to deal with Cameron Smith being hated by other fans; while Brisbane during their

FRIDAY, APRIL 29 | 6.00PM | CBUS SUPER STADIUM | REFEREE: PETER GOUGH dominant era were accused of favouritism over Friday nights and corporate access in Queensland. Now that the Broncos aren’t a threat, they’re liked again. The Panthers are unlikely to be impacted by all of this talk as they prepare for Friday night’s clash with the Gold Coast at Cbus Super Stadium. And they’re also unlikely to quieten the way they act and play, given it not only garners results but is deserved given how long and hard they and others at the club have worked for this sustained success. Penrith coach Ivan Cleary again enjoyed the fruits of where his side sits on the ladder in last week’s game against Canberra, using the match to prepare for a short turnaround against the Titans. Cleary used James Fisher-Harris, one of his most potent wrecking balls, for just 44 minutes last weekend – considerably less

than in previous weeks. He even used Liam Martin in the front row for a period, tweaking the squad on the run as he manages what can be a gruelling NRL schedule, particularly when short turnarounds are involved. And while the backs will do most of the exciting stuff on Friday night, this is definitely a game where the forward battle is key. As poor as they’ve been in recent weeks, the Titans boast an impressive set of big men in the shape of David Fifita, Beau Fermor, Isaac Liu and Tino Fa’asumaleaui – they just need to figure out how to best utilise them. I would have been prepared to call this a danger game had the Titans put in a better performance against the Cowboys last weekend but it was a meek and mild effort that now has real concerns around it after high expectations in the off-season.

PANTHERS

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It’s just not clicking for Justin Holbrook’s men and you’d be hard pressed to mount an argument that they’ll run themselves back into form against the best side in the competition. There is of course a risk that Penrith are looking over their shoulder at what’s to come over the next month: clashes against heavyweights Parramatta, Melbourne and the Roosters and a long road trip to Townsville. But as much as a form turnaround from the Titans seems unlikely, it’s hard to see Penrith dropping their bundle so quickly after another dominant performance last weekend, particularly in the second half. If Penrith can sustain what is likely to be an early forward onslaught from the Titans, class should ultimately prevail and they’ll walk away comfortable winners. Tip: Panthers by 14.

TITANS

1 Dylan Edwards

10 James Fisher-Harris

1 Alexander Brimson

2 Charlie Staines

11 Viliame Kikau

2 Phillip Sami

10 Isaac Liu 11 David Fifita

3 Izack Tago

12 Liam Martin

3 Brian Kelly

12 Beau Fermor

4 Stephen Crichton

13 Isaah Yeo (c)

4 Patrick Herbert

13 Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (c)

5 Taylan May

14 Soni Luke

5 Greg Marzhew

14 Tanah Boyd

6 Jarome Luai

15 Scott Sorensen

6 Will Smith

15 Sam Lisone

7 Nathan Cleary (c)

16 Spencer Leniu

7 Toby Sexton

16 Herman Ese’ese

8 Matthew Eisenhuth

17 Jaeman Salmon

8 Moeaki Fotuaika

17 Kevin Proctor

9 Apisai Koroisau

18 Robert Jennings 19 Chris Smith

9 Erin Clark

18 Jamayne Isaako 18. Jarrod Wallace

Friday, April 29, 2022 « the western weekender • extra time

panther rumblings

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WITH THE MASKED PANTHER

WHERE FAMILY COMES FIRST ! Wiggly Panthers: If you ever wanted confirmation that family drives the Panthers, this photo locks it in. Moses Leota, James Fisher-Harris, Dylan Edwards and Jarome Luai were among the players who all attended The Wiggles’ concert at Qudos Bank Arena last weekend, with their families in tow. It’s not quite the pre-game bonding sessions of the past, but it’s working wonders at the foot of the Mountains. ! Ride for Royce: Royce Simmons’ dementia fundraiser is going international. Several of his former players at Hull FC, where he coached in the mid 1990s, will ride from Hull to St Helens (Simmons coached there too, in 2011 and 2012) to raise funds for the cause. The Hull FC ex-players association arranged the ride between the two stadiums. They will set off on Thursday, May 12 – five days before Simmons departs his hometown Gooloogong en route to BlueBet Stadium at Penrith – and ride more than 160kms along the Trans Pennine Trail to Merseyside in time to attend the Super League clash between Hull and St Helens next day. Among the former Hull players taking part will be Jon Aston, Dean Busby, Matt Schultz, Richard Fletcher, Craig O’Donnell, Steve Crooks and Keith Tindall, some of whom played under Simmons during their time at The Boulevard.

The Panthers family enjoys The Wiggles.

ran onto the field to make his NRL debut. There’s huge wraps on the St Marys junior, who will battle it out with Mitch Kenny for Penrith’s hooker role next year when Api Koroisau departs.

Buzz’s obsession: Daily Telegraph journalist Phil Rothfield continued his bizarre obsession with Penrith’s Board on Monday, taking another veiled shot at Directors whose businesses have been (legitimately) paid for work by the Panthers Group. Rothfield’s constant pot shots show little knowledge of the Penrith business community, what services were actually rendered and expose his confusion between the football program and the wider Group. If ‘Buzz’ is going to continue to mention this on a regular basis, he should at least do some research to ensure his readers understand the context of what he’s insinuating.

! Sensational Soni: From injured players to lower graders, there was a huge roar from the players’ bay at BlueBet Stadium last Sunday when Soni Luke (pictured)

! O’Sullivan set to depart: The drums are beating louder that back-up halfback Sean O’Sullivan will leave Penrith at the end of the season to join new NRL franchise the Dolphins, where his father Peter is the Recruitment Manager. While the Dolphins are flat out denying they’ve signed O’Sullivan, he’s an obvious target given he’ll always be stuck behind Nathan Cleary at Penrith. Panthers fans can’t be too disappointed if O’Sullivan departs – the club only signed him for one year. !

In Dad’s footsteps: With Penrith

expected to field an NRLW team in the coming years, could we one day see some female Panther cubs from the current NRL group involved? She may still be in preschool, but James Fisher-Harris’ daughter Tahira is already showing some interest in following in her famous father’s footsteps. Asked whether his daughter will be playing rugby league in the ensuing years, he said: “Yeah soon, soon. She has an interest in playing but she’s still raw. I think we’ll get her into something. She’s keen on whatever.” Fisher-Harris, who also has an eighth-month-old son named Deon with his partner Natalie, said his children are very close with his teammates’ kids, which can only be a good thing for the future success of the Panthers. “It’s a good family vibe around the club because all the boys have kids and they are all around the same age,” he said. “Their bond was formed up on the Sunshine Coast last year, they all built a good connection up there and all the kids are super close now.”

Slow clap: Penrith fans mocking the Viking Clap is a bit of harmless fun all part of the rivalry that is rugby league. For it to blow up into anything else this week is nothing short of ridiculous. Firstly, let’s remember and accept that Canberra didn’t invent the Viking Clap – as good as

it is at Raiders home games, they stole it from overseas. Secondly, when you make it such a huge part of a pre-game ritual that is shown before every home game, it’s obvious that you open yourself up to being mocked at away games when you’re losing. Thirdly, Michael Ennis mocked the Viking Clap as a PLAYER on another team, and ended up being employed by Canberra, so they can’t be too sensitive about it.

! Born to be a Panther: 630 new Panthers fans have a special NRL commemorative birth certificate, new figures confirm. The NSW Government initiative allows parents to get a club-themed birth certificate for their newborn. Since the concept was launched in 2016, the Bulldogs lead the pack with a grand total of 1509 themed certificates. The Panthers are 10th on the table, with the 2021 Premiership year being the most popular with 147 certificates ordered. ! Tipping edit: You may notice some changes to the scores in our Celebrity Tipping this week. A full audit of the first couple of months was undertaken, acknowledging some incorrect scoring. The current scores are now correct and new procedures are in place to ensure the tipping results are accurate each week.

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STAINES: WHY WE’RE BETTER IN 2022 NATHAN TAYLOR

s he looks to hang on to his spot with the impending return of Brian To’o, Panthers winger Charlie Staines believes Penrith – the NRL’s competition leaders and only undefeated team – are better now than they were this time last season. While the 2021 Panthers went on a 12-game winning streak to start the year and this season’s current group are yet to taste defeat heading into Round 8 against the Titans, Staines said the side has already improved when compared to the first quarter of last season. “I think we are better,” Staines said confidently on Monday. “I think we have definitely improved from last year. We’re obviously scoring a lot more points and we’re defending pretty well also. “I think there’s room for improvement, but I definitely think we are better this year.” Staines’ comments can also be backed up with statistics. At the same point last year, Penrith had scored 184 points, while this season – after seven games – the Panthers have improved their attack and have notched up a whopping 220 points. When it comes to defence, the 2021 Panthers were a lot stronger – only leaking 44 points after seven games compared to this year’s 84 points against. Meanwhile, the 21-year-old speed machine has also assessed his own start to the season after seven games back in the top grade. Staines played 21 matches for the Panthers last year before being dropped at the pointy end of the season for eventual Grand Final hero Stephen Crichton. Speaking with Extra Time, Staines said it “feels good” to be back in the NRL after

working on some key aspects of his game during the off-season. “I wanted to come out this year and play some good footy. I’m happy I’m doing that, and the team is going well too,” he said. “I needed to work on getting more involved and not float in and out of games – be mentally present the whole game – and I feel I like I’ve done that.” While his try-scoring has dried up somewhat compared to previous seasons, Staines’ has already improved his kick returns and running metres to start the year. Last season the Forbes product averaged 87 running metres per game, while in 2022 he’s boosted that number to 125 metres per game so far. “My kick returns are a sign of me getting involved in the game and doing my best for the team,” Staines said. “You’ve got to help out the forwards, every back three does that in the NRL. I’ve worked on that this year and feel like I’ve found a good balance.” But with NSW Blues star and Premiership winner Brian To’o due back from a knee injury as early as next week, Staines’ positive start in first grade could come to a premature end. With fellow winger Taylan May lighting up the left edge and leading the team in tries scored with eight, all signs point to Staines being the odd man out. “I’m not sure what will happen when Bizza is fit to play, obviously he’ll come back in the team – he’s one of our best players,” Staines said. “I’m just focused on trying to play my best footy and doing my best for the team.

the western weekender • extra time » Friday, April 29, 2022

feature

Charlie Staines in action against the Dragons earlier this year. Photo: NRL Images.

Charlie Staines is happy with the improvements he’s made to his game this season. Photo: NRL Images.

Whoever Ivan picks, that’s up to him. I’m just going to do my best for the team and whatever happens, happens.” Staines will likely get one last chance to impress coach Cleary this Friday when the Panthers travel to the Gold Coast to face the battling Titans.

Penrith’s trip up north will be the first time they’ve returned to the Sunshine State since their Grand Final triumph on October 3. Staines said despite the Titans’ struggles to begin the year, he’s expecting nothing but a tough contest. “Every week is a hard week, everyone turns up to play against us and we don’t take any challenge lightly,” he said. “No matter where the opposition sits on the table, it’s going to be a hard game. We just want to give our best every single week.”

Friday, April 29, 2022 « the western weekender • extra time

feature

EISENHUTH READY FOR HARD YARDS NATHAN TAYLOR

hen hooker Soni Luke made his NRL debut last Sunday afternoon at the age of 26, Panthers prop Matt Eisenhuth knew exactly how he felt. After numerous setbacks combined with bouncing around the league during the early part of his career, Eisenhuth didn’t end up making his first grade debut until he was 24. But, in the end, persistence paid off for the determined Luke last weekend just like it did for Eisenhuth some five years earlier. Speaking with Extra Time this week, Eisenhuth praised the St Marys junior for never giving up hope of playing in the NRL. “I’m sure there’s times where you think you may have missed the boat, but hard work and determination can get you a long way,” Eisenhuth said. “Against Canberra, Soni fitted in like he’d been there for a

while. I’m so happy for him. I’ve been there before debuting a bit later than some of the others, but he took his opportunity that he had earned. He had a great pre-season, he’d been killing it in NSW Cup, so it was good to see him get a game.” After a stellar debut where he set up a try for co-captain Isaah Yeo, Luke has retained his place on Penrith’s interchange bench for tonight’s game against the Gold Coast Titans in Robina. Eisenhuth said he first met Luke while the pair were playing at the Wests Tigers several years ago. “I actually did a pre-season with Soni, he came to the Tigers for a year,” the 29-year-old revealed. “He impressed me there too, but he’s had a lot of injuries along the way. He’s worked hard to get to where he is.” As for Eisenhuth, he notched up his sixth game of the season in Penrith’s huge victory over the Raiders at a packed out BlueBet Stadium last Sunday. Following Moses Leota’s

shoulder injury in the opening round, Eisenhuth has done a superb job alongside James Fisher-Harris in Penrith’s engine room. “I love being back… any time you’re playing first grade you’re happy,” Eisenhuth said. “I played a fair bit of it last year and I’m just happy to be doing my part for the team wherever that is. I just love playing with these boys and doing my role for them whatever that may be.” Eisenhuth was a key member of Penrith’s Premiershipwinning side last season, playing 19 games before being left out of the Grand Final team and much of the Finals. “At first you’re disappointed as anyone is when you play so many games but then, after that, you realise what you’re a part of is pretty special and what you contributed to the team throughout the year,” Eisenhuth said. “It’s a whole 30-man job to get to a Grand Final and I played my part in that. At the end of the day, that’s how I look at it.”

Matt Eisenhuth has been instrumental for the Panthers this season.

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lang on league with Peter Lang

hen you’ve had the perfect start to the season it’s nice to have a look at the form of the players that helped get you to the top of the mountain. To make it more fun let’s put the team under the microscope in three categories of three. The first is the top three players who are playing the best. 1. Isaah Yeo – To say he’s in the form of his career is an understatement. A ball-playing lock who is also your best tackler. There’s nothing this bloke can’t do and he’s your co-captain as well. 2. Dylan Edwards – Safe as a bank under the high-ball, makes plenty of metres from kick returns and has also learned how to inject himself into the backline and become an important link in attacking raids. 3. Apisai Koroisau – Crafty with the ball, Api knows when to run, knows when to pass and knows how to defend. Always bamboozles the defence and is playing like an absolute ‘boss’. Now let’s look at the top three underrated players. 1. Matt Eisenhuth – The tall, rangy frontrower was not everyone’s choice when Moses Leota went down but Eisenhuth has been a revelation. Safe defender, always runs hard and makes few mistakes. 2. Jaeman Salmon – I’m a convert of

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Jaeman Salmon. Photo: NRL Images.

this guy. He comes on, plays a variety of positions from backrower to centre and fits in seamlessly. Getting better with each game. 3. Spencer Leniu – Now while Leniu doesn’t get big minutes, he makes a huge impact whenever he comes on. Full of enthusiasm, Leniu always bends

the defensive line with his charges and he can also score tries. Finally, the three players that need to lift their game. 1. Charlie Staines – Poor Charlie has improved out of sight from last year but has been overshadowed by Taylan May on the other wing. Needs to get more involved. I think he’ll be the man to miss out when Brian To’o comes back in a few weeks time. 2. Mitch Kenny – I’m being tough on a player who doesn’t get to play a lot of minutes when he gets on but look at the impact Leniu makes with his limited minutes. Solid as a rock but needs to be more creative in attack. Perhaps that’s why he’s spending some time in reserve grade at present, with Soni Luke promoted to first grade. 3. Brian To’o – What? ‘You’re an idiot Langy’ I hear you say. Let me explain, ‘Bizza’ was a little disappointing in the two games he played before his injury. Well down on metres made and well contained, To’o will need to find his 2021 form when he gets back, something I’m sure he’ll do. So there you have it, the good, the not-so good and the ….err…you can do better. It’s hard to find fault in a team which hasn’t lost a game but the Panthers know they can get better and that in itself is a scary thing for the other 15 teams in the competition.

the western weekender • extra time » Friday, April 29, 2022

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Friday, April 29, 2022 « the western weekender • extra time

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the western weekender • extra time » Friday, April 29, 2022

Friday, April 29, 2022 « the western weekender • extra time

SET OF SIX: THE BIGGEST NRL TALKING POINTS THIS WEEK W

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ith so many NRL talking points again this week, what could be more rugby league than a set of six. Let’s go.

First tackle Bring on Magic Round and the Saturday night game at Suncorp Stadium on May 14. Penrith meet Melbourne for the first time this season and it shapes as some contest! Penrith is the best defensive team after keeping Canberra to six points last weekend. Melbourne is the best attacking team after putting 70 on the Warriors. After Melbourne won 17 of their 18 clashes from 2006-17, they have since had four wins each. Who will forget Penrith taking last year’s Preliminary Final 10-6 after Melbourne had won the previous year’s Grand Final 26-20. The Magic Round match up will only grow in significance if they keep winning – Penrith against Gold Coast and Parramatta over the next two rounds, and Melbourne against Newcastle and St George-Illawarra. Second tackle There are some struggling teams in a world of hurt right now. Canterbury has lost six games straight, Newcastle five, Canberra four, Gold Coast three. And the Warriors just got spanked by 60. I asked my guests on ‘NRL Tonight’ this week, who’s in the biggest hole? Mark ‘Spudd’ Carroll went straight to the Bulldogs because their

recruiting is yet to show. Tim Mannah singled out Newcastle, describing their loss to his Eels as horrible. I nominated Gold Coast, given their Top 8 claims and their lack of resilience and consistency. This week the Dogs tackle the Roosters, the Knights run into Melbourne and the Titans play Penrith. Good luck! Third tackle St George-Illawarra and Wests Tigers are proof how quickly it can turn around. A fortnight ago, the Dragons were still cursing Paul Vaughan’s BBQ and the Tigers were about to announce a new coach. Now they face off on Sunday, where the winner will make it three in a row. Whose turn is it to kick the winning field goal for the Tigers this week if needed? Tim Mannah reckons Alex Twal! Fourth tackle Jackson Hastings (pictured) has been first class for Wests Tigers since rebuilding his career in England. Another Aussie – former St George-Illawarra and Parramatta player Jai Field – might hope to follow suit. He has been electric for Wigan. He leads the competition for run metres and try-scoring (14), not to mention their Man of Steel voting. His effort to catch a failed Salford field goal and race nearly 100 metres for the match-winning try last Sunday was phenomenal.

Jackson Hastings. Photo: NRL Images.

Fifith tackle It was no surprise to hear NRL Head of Football Graham Annesley’s disappointed that Daniel Tupou and Aaron Pene stayed on the field after making high contact on Anzac Day. Both incidents looked automatic sin bins and possible send offs. And the last Ryan Papenhuyzen is the new Dally M leader. ‘Paps’ has scored in each of his last six games – 10 in total – and delivered another six try assists. His best try tally for an NRL season is last year’s 14. He could reach that mark this week!

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+/-

PTS

Panthers

220

+136 14

Storm

243

102

+141

Eels

209

127

+82

Sharks

173

112

+61

Cowboys

144

+51

Roosters

134

112

+22

Sea Eagles

134

130

Rabbitohs

140

119

+21

Broncos

111

150

-39

10 Dragons

117

172

-55

119

182

-63

12 Titans

120

162

-42

13 W. Tigers

148

-62

14 Knights

156

-66

Warriors

15 Raiders 16 Bulldogs

7 7

2 1

0 0

5 6

0 0

94 70

176 179

-82 -109

ROUND 8 V

Thursday, April 28 7.50pm Suncorp Stadium

Friday, April 29 6.00pm Cbus Super Stadium

Friday, April 29 7.55pm Central Coast Stadium

Saturday, April 30 3.00pm Moreton Daily Stadium

Saturday, April 30 5.30pm Accor Stadium

Saturday, April 30 7.30pm TIO Stadium

Sunday, May 1 2.00pm McDonald Jones Stadium

4 2

Sunday, May 1 4.05pm WIN Stadium

Face In Th e Crowd

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Friday, April 29, 2022 « the western weekender • extra time

the western weekender • extra time » Friday, April 29, 2022

PANTHERS BACK ON TOP OF THE TABLE IN NSW CUP COMP A

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dominant performance at BlueBet Stadium has seen the Penrith Panthers return to the top of the Knock-On Effect NSW Cup ladder. Taking on the Canberra Raiders at home, the Panthers scored the first of eight tries inside two minutes when Thomas Jenkins beat the defence to the left-hand corner. A shift to the right shortly after then saw Robert Jennings extend the lead. The Panthers had their third try after just 16 minutes when Eddie Blacker crossed untouched from a Mitch Kenny short ball. The Panthers made the Raiders pay for illdiscipline, with Liam Henry and Christian Crichton scoring following penalties to take a 28-0 lead into half-time. The second half began with plenty of mistakes and penalties from both teams before J’maine Hopgood backed up some second phase play to extend Penrith’s lead. The Panthers’ defence was finally breached shortly after when Jarrod Croker scored off a Sam Williams bomb, but Canberra’s joy was short-lived when Sunia Turuva scored off a simple show-and-go. Jenkins scored his second try when he flew through to mark a Sean O’Sullivan chip kick inside the final 10 minutes, with a late consolation try to Canberra leaving the final score 44-12 in favour of Penrith. It was all one-way traffic for the Panthers Jersey Flegg Cup side earlier in the afternoon, scoring 11 tries to three in a 64-16

Eddie Blacker dives over to score. Photo: NRL Images.

thrashing of the Raiders. Despite William Fakatoumafi opening the scoring for Penrith, the Panthers quickly found themselves behind 10-6 thanks to two quick Raiders tries. Three tries in the space of six minutes to Fakatoumafi, Niwhai Puru and Isaiah Iongi helped take the Panthers to a 22-10 lead after 23 minutes, with a further try to Cody Lawson take the margin to 18 at the break.

They extended that lead when Iongi scored his second two minutes after the resumption, before Canberra added their third try of the afternoon. It was a procession of points afterwards for the Panthers, scoring five tries in the final 15 minutes. Fakatoumafi completed his hat-trick, with tries also scored by Bradley Fearnley, Daniel Sykes, Daeon Amituanai and Braith Alexander.

my panther memories

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$790.0 $790.00 790.0 Gifts G Gif Gift iffftts ts NAME: KATIE BULLIVANT | SUBURB: EMU PLAINS What is your greatest Penrith Panthers memory? Greg ‘Brandy’ Alexander’s final home game, Sunday, August 22 1999. Penrith beat Canberra 33-14 Why was this memory so important to you? This was the very first rugby league game I ever went to and where my now 23-year

love affair with the Penrith Panthers began! This, despite my Dad, who was (and still is) a Canterbury Bulldogs tragic, who had failed numerous attempts at converting me to be one too. How long have you been supporting the Panthers? 23 years.

SUBMIT YOUR MEMORY – EMAIL INFO@WESTERNWEEKENDER.COM.AU

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