Jarome Luai couldn’t be happier at the moment. Photo: NRL Photos.
LODGE LATEST Are the Panthers keen on Broncos forward?
PAGE 32
API’S BACK We chat with Api Koroisau ahead of his return from injury this weekend
PAGE 33
LATEST NRL LADDER Bask in the glory of Penrith being on top of the table
PAGE 39
CELEBRITY TIPSTERS Not sure who to back this weekend? Follow one of our local experts!
PAGES 40-41
bound for bathurst UNBEATEN PANTHERS FACE TURBO TOM ON THE ROAD MATCH PREVIEW: PAGE 31
Friday, April 30, 2021 « the western weekender • extra time
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the final word
v
the western weekender • extra time » Friday, April 30, 2021
match preview
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Brian To'o flies through the air againt Newcastle. Photo: NRL Photos.
TROY DODDS
B
ack in Round 4 I suggested Penrith’s clash against Manly at Brookvale Oval was a danger game, despite the Sea Eagles’ poor start to the season. The Panthers left me with egg on my face as they cruised to a 46-6 win, their biggest ever victory at Brookie. Fast forward a month and I’ll dare to repeat my words: danger game. This time, I’ve got a little more evidence to back me up, namely two words: Tom Trbojevic. ‘Turbo’ was missing from that Round 4 demolition but his return to Manly’s side in the past two weeks has proven what a difference a single player can make, with Des Hasler’s team getting off the canvas and producing thumping wins over the Gold Coast and Wests Tigers. Sure, it’s not the greatest form line in the world, but given how Manly had gone over the first month, beating anybody by even a
SATURDAY, MAY 1 | 3.00PM | CARRINGTON PARK | REFEREE: ASHLEY KLEIN few points is a vast improvement, let alone 40-odd. Their real test of course comes on Saturday in Bathurst, home to the Panthers for a day but an unhappy hunting ground in recent times – Penrith haven’t won there since a miracle last gasp victory over Canberra in 2017. The Panthers welcome back Api Koroisau for this clash, a huge inclusion that will see Penrith field its first-choice spine for the first time since Round 1, an incredible fact when you consider Ivan Cleary’s side remains unbeaten this season. Dylan Edwards’ return last week felt like a warm blanket on a cold winter’s morning – ultra comfortable. Stephen Crichton did his best to fill in for Edwards over the past month, but never looked settled in the number one jumper. Edwards returned straight back to the form he displayed in the opening few rounds of the competition
and will only get better as his confidence continues to return. Perhaps the real highlight of this clash, outside of Trbojevic and Edwards facing off, is the battle of the halfbacks – Nathan Cleary and a rejuvenated Daly Cherry-Evans. Cherry-Evans had been a shadow of his former self in the first few weeks of the competition but ever since kicking a breakthrough field goal against the Warriors it’s like a switch has gone off, and his confidence has grown enormously. Combined with Trbojevic's return, Manly all of a sudden look like a footy team that could slip into Finals contention. Getting on top of his opposite number this weekend however will be no easy task. Cleary has been in red hot form, his game management reaching a new level this season and again on display against Newcastle last week. The 24-6 win over the Knights may not have been flashy, but
PANTHERS
KAYO FOX LEAGUE ABC 702 TRIPLE M
Cleary always appeared to have Penrith in control of the contest. And that has been Penrith’s key to success this year, and for much of 2020: control. It was only in the Grand Final (sorry for mentioning it) that the Panthers appeared out of control and out-played, and they didn’t quite have the experience to wrestle the momentum back against an opposition like Melbourne. They figured it out eventually, but it was too late. It’s why Penrith is likely to keep unbeaten for a while yet, too. Like the great teams of the last decade – namely Melbourne and the Roosters – Penrith have figured out how to make winning part of their culture and expectations. This is a danger game for sure, but the Panthers should have Manly’s measure in the end. I wouldn't be surprised if it's a very high scoring game. Tip: Panthers by 10.
SEA EAGLES
1 Dylan Edwards
10 James Fisher-Harris
1 Tom Trbojevic
2 Charlie Staines
11 Viliame Kikau
2 Jason Saab
10 Martin Taupau 11 Haumole Olakau'atu
3 Stephen Crichton
12 Kurt Capewell
3 Brad Parker
12 Josh Schuster
4 Matt Burton
13 Isaah Yeo (c)
4 Morgan Harper
13 Jake Trbojevic
5 Brian To'o
14 Tyrone May
5 Reuben Garrick
14 Cade Cust
6 Jarome Luai
15 Spencer Leniu
6 Kieran Foran
15 Josh Aloiai
7 Nathan Cleary (c)
16 Matthew Eisenhuth
7 Daly Cherry-Evans (c)
16 Sean Keppie
8 Moses Leota
17 Liam Martin
8 Taniela Paseka
17 Soafofoa Sipley
9 Apisai Koroisau
18 Scott Sorenson 19 Mitch Kenny
9 Lachlan Croker
18 Zac Saddler 19 Tevita Funa
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Friday, April 30, 2021 « the western weekender • extra time
panther rumblings
WITH THE MASKED PANTHER
BURTO DEAL STANDS ! Makeshift Penrith centre Matt Burton is 100 per cent committed to his deal with Canterbury and there’ll be no backflip, despite reports over the past week that he was getting cold feet. Panthers CEO Brian Fletcher ruffled some feathers with comments he made in the media last week, but they were more cheeky jibes than anything else. Burton and Bulldogs coach Trent Barrett talk regularly and the 21-year-old has given no indication he wants to back out of the deal.
Matt Burton is shifting to Canterbury next season. Photo: NRL Photos.
! Despite the fresh rumours emerging last week, I can confirm the Panthers have zero interest in signing Broncos forward Matt Lodge. The club understands why it’s the target of such rumours given the 25-year-old was once contracted to the club and the Broncos want to move him on, but they have no intention to express interest in the prop. Even if they did – and they don’t – there’s no way the club could afford to squeeze him into the salary cap. ! Cameron Ciraldo is sticking around as assistant coach at Penrith despite being linked to Cronulla next year, where he was tipped to join good friend Craig Fitzgibbon in a similar role. The Panthers took swift action in an effort to keep Ciraldo at the club, and officials were quietly confident he’d stay given the Sharks job was essentially a step sidewards and not forwards. Not surprisingly the playing group was thrilled when told of Ciraldo’s decision after last week’s win over Newcastle. ! Penrith’s sponsorship team is smiling even brighter this week after Allam Homes signed a five-year partnership extension in a major show of faith in the club. The significant deal ensures the Allam Homes logo will continue to feature on Panthers jerseys, corner posts and in the Allam Homes Chairman’s Club at BlueBet Stadium until at least the end of 2026. “Everyone at Panthers is thrilled to have Allam Homes extend their major partnership for another five years,” Panthers Group CEO Brian Fletcher said. “Despite attracting a lot of interest from other sporting organisations, they’ve shown great loyalty to Panthers and our community.”
! Former Panthers player and powerbroker Lou Zivanovic married his partner Olivia in the Whitsundays last weekend. The invite list was a who’s who of the business and sporting world, while Anthony Callea provided entertainment on the big day. Lou arrived nice and early for the celebrations but still managed to find a TV to watch last Thursday’s Panthers v Knights clash. Check out the stunning photo below!
! Spotted: Panthers hooker Api Koroisau taking photos with fans and sponsors in the Chairman’s Lounge prior to last Thursday’s clash between Penrith and Newcastle. Koroisau was looking fit and healthy but just a few days earlier he’d been in trouble with illness, ruling him out of an early return from injury. He’ll be back against Manly on Saturday. ! Spotted: Nathan Cleary and Tyrone May, along with a host of other Panthers players, at the Lakeside Long Lunch last Saturday. ! Spotted: Panthers coach Ivan Cleary helping out on the tools last Friday to ensure everything for the Lakeside Long Lunch was in readiness. !
Spotted: Nathan Cleary continuing his winning form while playing some Two Up at O’Donoghues in Emu Plains on ANZAC Day.
! Spotted: A trim and fit looking Triple M and Fox Sports commentator Dan Ginnane getting in a gym session in Penrith prior to calling last Thursday’s Panthers
v Knights clash. Our spy reports he also strongly considered tucking into some El Jannah for dinner, before showing off supreme willpower and heading straight to the ground instead.
! Local junior Kurt Falls has signed a two-year deal with the Panthers. The 24-year-old playmaker joins the Panthers NRL development list for the remainder of 2021 and will be promoted to the club’s top 30 roster in 2022. A Brothers Penrith junior who played schoolboy rugby league alongside Nathan Cleary at St Dominic’s College, Falls has made 12 NSW Cup appearances in Panthers colours since 2019. “To sign my first full-time contract is so exciting for me and my family,” Falls said. ! The rumblings about a State Government announcement surrounding the future of BlueBet Stadium won’t go away, especially as next month’s State Budget gets closer. One suggestion last week was that construction on a new stadium could begin as early as 2023, meaning next season would be the last for the current venue. Watch this space. It’s almost certain some sort of announcement is coming.
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he Panthers will run out a full-strength side for tomorrow afternoon’s mouthwatering clash against the Sea Eagles in Bathurst, with hooker Api Koroisau returning to the line-up for the first time since Round 1. The 28-year-old makes his long-awaited return for Penrith against his former club after breaking his wrist in the opening round of the season. Despite his absence, the Panthers have managed to remain undefeated after seven rounds due to the quality of their depth and the incredible systems the club has put in place. “I’m not surprised one bit we haven’t lost a game,” Koroisau told Extra Time. “We’ve had plenty of comments about the side’s depth and it sort of showed last year – we didn’t have too many injuries, but when someone did jump in nothing changed. “The boys are so reliable. They work that hard at training and work that hard on structures and making sure they fit in… that I wasn’t surprised one bit.” Filling in during Koroisau’s six-week stint on the sidelines was the ever-reliable
Api Koroisau hasn’t played for Penrith since Round 1. Photo: NRL Photos. Mitch Kenny. While the youngster may not possess the same skillset as his predecessor, he well and truly makes up for it in heart and determination. “I haven’t seen a player have that much
growth in their game ever,” Koroisau said of Kenny. “From when I first met him to what he’s doing on the field now, is just crazy. “He’s such a quick learner, he hadn’t
played hooker at all before getting into first grade… it’s pretty amazing what he’s done.” With Koroisau back in the side, Kenny has been named on the extended bench for Saturday’s blockbuster in Bathurst. Koroisau last played at Carrington Park during his first stint with Penrith back in 2015 as a member of their NSW Cup side. “I’m actually excited to head back out there… I love suburban grounds,” he admitted. “I’d love to give the people of Bathurst the show that they deserve. Just to be out there with all the boys, hopefully we can get around to some of the towns and say hello to the locals as well.” Standing in Penrith’s way of an incredible eight straight victories is Manly, who are aiming for their fourth win on the trot. The Panthers only played the Sea Eagles on April 1 – a 46-6 demolition by the Mountain Men. “Manly just look like a different team all together,” Koroisau said of their recent form. “Their forwards are playing well, their halves are playing amazing and obviously Tommy Turbo is doing his thing. “It’s going to be a completely different game and we better make sure we’re up for it.”
the western weekender • extra time » Friday, April 30, 2021
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The real secret to good coaching lies in recruitment
joel caine W
ith the NFL Draft in the headlines, it has placed recruitment and talent acquisition in the spotlight. Several top tier quarterbacks who have been taken early in the draft in recent years have turned into ‘busts’, and that’s despite the amount of time and money that gets pumped into NFL recruiting departments. It just proves how hard talent identification in elite sport truly is. But, if you can get it right it’s a golden ticket to success – and that’s been proven in the NRL with the Melbourne Storm, Sydney Roosters and Penrith Panthers. The Storm have been consistently dominant for almost 20 years, but how many players came from their youth system? Ryan Papenhuyzen, Josh Addo-Carr, Brandon Smith, Dale Finucane and Jahrome Hughes have all come from other NRL programs and flourished at the Storm. Their ability to identify talent is unmatched competition-wide. Look at the Roosters, they have superstars in James Tedesco, Luke Keary, Angus Crichton and Brett and Josh Morris in their squad, but none of them made their NRL debut in tri-colours. With the Panthers, their ability to form a strong youth system and then nurture them into first-grade talent is on show with Nathan Cleary, Brian To’o, Stephen Crichton and Jarome Luai.
Panthers winger and local junior Brian To’o. Photo: NRL Photos.
It’s no shock those three sides are the favourites to take out the competition this year. At the other end of the spectrum, it’s equally as obvious through the Wests Tigers, Brisbane Broncos and North Queensland Cowboys’ struggles. These clubs have a proven ability to identify elite talent at a young age, but knee-jerk reactions have caused them to lose future stars straight from their grasp. Martin Taupau, Mitchell Moses, Nathan Brown, Papenhuyzen, Addo-Carr and Tedesco have all blossomed at rival clubs since leaving the Wests Tigers, what could have been if they’d held onto this core of players? Brisbane should have set themselves up for future dominance with Reece Walsh at number one, David Fifita running the ball and Tom Dearden controlling the game from halfback, but the trio all chose to depart Red Hill. The Cowboys may prove the worst of the lot, having let Brandon Smith, Corey Horsburgh, Viliame Kikau and Kalyn Ponga leave the club after starring in their youth set-up. As the late, great Jack Gibson once said, ‘You can’t be a good coach without good players’, and in the salary cap era, recruiting and retention is proving the key to success in the NRL. Listen to Joel Caine on SEN 1170.
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the western weekender • extra time » Friday, April 30, 2021
feature
CAPEWELL KEEPS OPTIONS OPEN NATHAN TAYLOR
P
enrith has done a commendable job re-signing the bulk of their playing roster for next year and beyond, but one star player whose future is still very much up in the air is that of backrower Kurt Capewell. The 27-year-old, who joined Penrith last year from Cronulla, is off-contract at season’s end and has a long list of suiters knocking down his door. From the besieged Broncos to the struggling Bulldogs, clubs are throwing big money at the recent Queensland Origin representative for next season – money Penrith might not be able to match. Speaking about his next career move, the North Ipswich Tigers junior said he isn’t sure where his future lies. “I’m obviously just exploring all my options at the moment,” he told Extra Time. “I’d love to stay at Panthers if possible. We’ll be working on that.”
Due to a major knee injury, Capewell only played nine games for the Panthers last season, mostly off the bench. However, the Charleville product really started to make a mark when he made his Origin debut for Queensland last November. Capewell put in several strong performances to help the Maroons win the series over favourites New South Wales. Asked whether returning home to Queensland next season appealed to him, Capewell replied: “I don’t mind too much, I’m pretty happy wherever I’m living.” Whether Capewell remains a Panther next year or not, there’s still plenty of unfinished business at the foot of the Mountains, and it continues this weekend against the in-form Sea Eagles in Bathurst. The last time Penrith played Manly in Round 4, they embarrassed Des Hasler’s men at home, and by a record margin. With the Sea Eagles looking a much better and confident side with Tom Trbojevic back in the line-up, Capewell said the Panthers will need to be switched on.
A happy Kurt Capewell at the Panthers Academy on Tuesday. Photo: Melinda Jane.
“They are definitely a different team now with Tommy in… it will be a tough game and should be entertaining,” he said. “Manly started the year not so well but the way they are going now, they can show up and beat any team.”
Capewell has been impressed with his own side’s recent form too. “Each game has been different and provided a different challenge for us each week. I think the boys have handled it really well,” he said.
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Friday, April 30, 2021 « the western weekender • extra time
James Fisher-Harris
the western weekender • extra time » Friday, April 30, 2021
37
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warren smith S
even rounds into the season and we’ve got a pretty good idea of what the rule changes for 2021 have brought to the competition. The ball is in play more than it perhaps ever has been, the better teams have widened the gap over the battlers, and we’ve seen more injuries and head high tackles than we have for a long time. Coincidence? Maybe. Maybe not. Either way, it would have been naïve in the extreme to think that you could give the game a hefty tweak for the second year in a row and have nothing other than faster play the balls and more points be the net result. I’m not sure how much Albert Einstein knew about rugby league, but he probably could have told you over a pie at half-time that every action will have an equal and opposite reaction. For instance – more infringements that used to be penalties are now set restarts, so why wouldn’t you hold down the opposition on the first play of a set of six if it was only going to cost you one extra tackle in defence, but at the same time allowed you to get your defensive line set and to better control the early tackles as a team worked the ball out of their own end of the field. You’d be crazy not to employ those tactics no matter where you’re positioned on the ladder, but especially so if you were taking on the gun outfits such as the Panthers.
Penrith coach Ivan Cleary speaking to the media. Photo: Megan Dunn.
Which brings us to the verbal jabs between Ivan Cleary and Adam O’Brien after the Panthers’ 24-6 victory over the Knights in Round 7.
As far as coaching flare-ups go it was more backyard barbecue than raging bushfire, but after watching Newcastle give away five first-tackle restarts during the game,
Penrith’s boss was probably entitled to mention one of the ways opponents are looking to counter what the undefeated ladder-leaders can do in attack. Having put it out there in public, it will be interesting to see if Ivan Cleary’s flare into the night sky is logged away, even subconsciously, by the referees in the coming weeks. Do Des Hasler’s Sea Eagles follow the Knights’ lead this week and try to shut down the Panthers’ effectiveness on early plays by giving away set restarts at the cost of having only one extra tackle to defend? Maybe it’s the Panthers, having watched Tom Trbojevic carve up the Titans and Tigers in consecutive games, who adopt the tactic themselves as a way of shutting down the turbo-boosted Manly fullback? Saturday afternoon at Carrington Park in Bathurst will make it the third game in a row that the Sea Eagles have played on a firm, fast surface in the daylight, and with a thoroughbred at the back in the shape of Tom Trbojevic inspiring the Northern Beaches boys back to their best form, the game could turn out to be one of the best attacking showpieces of the season. It would be ironic, however, if the unintended consequences of the NRL’s offseason rule changes makes it hard for both teams to turn it on for the footy fans of the Central West. Hear Warren Smith on Fox League.
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CLUB
PD
W
D
L
B
F
A
+/-
PTS
1
Panthers
7
7
0
0
0
184
44
+140 14
2
Eels
7
6
0
1
0
197
96
+101
12
3
Rabbitohs
7
6
0
1
0
201
104
+97
12
4
Storm
7
5
0
2
0
202
94
+108 10
5
Roosters
7
5
0
2
0
198
96
+102 10
6
Dragons
7
4
0
3
0
153
141
+12
8
7
Titans
7
3
0
4
0
154
155
-1
6
8
Raiders
7
3
0
4
0
137
151
-14
6
9
Warriors
7
3
0
4
0
133
158
-25
6
10 Knights
7
3
0
4
0
133
166
-33
6
11
7
3
0
4
0
123
174
-51
6
12 Cowboys
7
3
0
4
0
126
213
-87
6
13 Sharks
7
2
0
5
0
146
138
8
4
14 W. Tigers
7
1
0
6
0
114
218
-104
2
15 Broncos
7
1
0
6
0
86
193
-107
2
Sea Eagles
16 Bulldogs
7
1
0
6
0
70
216
-146
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Thursday, April 29 7.50pm GIO Stadium
V
Friday, April 30 6.00pm AAMI Park
V
Friday, April 30 7.55pm Suncorp Stadium
V
Saturday, May 1 3.00pm Carrington Park
V
Saturday, May 1 5.30pm Stadium Australia
V
Saturday, May 1 7.35pm McDonald Jones Stadium
V
Sunday, May 2 2.00pm Central Coast Stadium
V
Sunday, May 2 4.05pm WIN Stadium
Face In Th e Crowd
the western weekender • extra time » Friday, April 30, 2021
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IS THIS YOU YOU? U? Is this you at a recent Penrith Panthers 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.
Extra Time Issue Number 2021-008 PRODUCED BY The Western Weekender EDITOR Troy Dodds / 4722 2998 troy.dodds@westernweekender.com.au CONTRIBUTORS Nathan Taylor, Peter Lang, Warren Smith, Joel Caine SALES DIRECTOR Chris Pennisi / 4722 2998 chris.pennisi@westernweekender.com.au
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Friday, April 30, 2021 « the western weekender • extra time
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lang on league W
hen the Panthers take on the Wests Tigers on a cold Friday night on June 4 at Leichhardt Oval, they will fancy their chances against a Penrith side which could be missing up to six star players due to State of Origin commitments. For the sake of this argument, let’s assume that, at best, Nathan Cleary, Jarome Luai, Isaah Yeo, Brian To’o, Stephen Crichton and Kurt Capewell could realistically play a part in the first Origin match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Wednesday, June 9. Take six weapons out of any side and they’ll struggle. Now, let’s take a look at a possible team the Panthers could trot out if there are no major injuries between now and then. 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Robert Jennings 3. Brent Naden 4. Paul Momirovski 5.Charlie Staines 6. Tyrone May 7. Matt Burton 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Api Koroisau 10. Moses Leota 11.Viliame Kikau 12. Liam Martin 13. Scott Sorensen Interchange: 14. Spencer Leniu 15. Matt Eisenhuth 16. Eddie Blacker 17. Mitch Kenny. Now I know there will be a few players I selected that supporters will disagree with but basically, even with six superstars out of the team, Penrith will still field an incredibly strong side. I wouldn’t be surprised if a few of Penrith’s Origin players are rested during the series as well.
with Peter Lang You can add to the team above, numerous young guns like J’Maine Hopgood, Taylan May, Lindsay Smith and Izack Tago, who will all come into the mix for a first grade spot as the Origin series rolls on. With such depth you can easily see why Penrith should be able to win more than their fair share of games during this tough period. What caught my eye last week... The way an understrength side like the Roosters tore the Dragons apart despite St George-Illawarra starting the game like a house on fire. I admit I wrote the Chooks off after they lost Keary, Friend and Cordner. That was a mistake I won’t make again.
the western weekender • extra time » Friday, April 30, 2021
Penrith’s depth to be tested as Origin gets closer
What game I’m looking forward to... The clash between the Bulldogs and the Eels. The Dogs finally broke their duck egg with a hard-fought win over the Sharks, now if they can beat the Eels, then I’ll really believe that they’ve turned the corner. My tips for the week... Rabbitohs, Storm, Titans, Panthers, Eels, Knights, Warriors, Dragons.
Penrith co-captain Isaah Yeo will likely play for NSW again this year.
The final word... I’m not sure the quality of players is there to sustain another team entering the competition in 2023. I think 2025 might be a more realistic option and, if it was me, I’d bring in a team from Perth not Brisbane.
extra minutes Del Vecchio. “To perform at this level on the game’s biggest stage for over 20 years deserves our absolute respect and admiration.”
! NRL CEO Andrew Abdo has launched a defence of the game’s Judiciary system after recent criticism of the process and suspensions. “There are currently five Judiciary panel members who have played almost 1,000 premiership games collectively and won Grand Finals, State of Origin Series’ and Test Matches. Their knowledge and understanding of rugby league is unquestionable,” Mr Abdo said. “There will always be varying public views about every Judiciary decision, just as the facts of every Judiciary matter are unique, but there is no place for anyone to question the independence of the panel.” !
! Leading referee Henry Perenara has retired from the NRL immediately for health reasons. The former player has been diagnosed with exercise-induced supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), and on the advice of medical professionals, made the difficult decision to retire from on-field duties. “Henry’s contribution to rugby league as a player and match official is simply remarkable,” said Professional Rugby League Match Officials Chairman Silvio
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North Queensland has signed Brisbane half Tom Dearden on a three-year deal. The 20-year-old will join the Cowboys at the start of the 2022 NRL season.
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Henry Perenara. Photo: NRL Photos.
The Wests Tigers have denied reports that crisis meetings are underway at the club in relation to the future of coach Michael Maguire. The Tigers have won just one of their first seven matches so far this season and their performances have been exceptionally disappointing. The Tigers say they’re focused on future games and not Maguire’s tenure.
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Canterbury this week announced the signing of Brent Naden on a two-year deal commencing next season.
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Friday, April 30, 2021 « the western weekender
My88 FM is so excited to welcome Leona (Le) Triggs to the My88 family! Le is our Senior Account Director and brings with her a wealth of experience in sales and customer service. She can help with any advertising enquiries, as well as being a friendly face out and about in the local area, so make sure you say hello if you see her! Favourite 80's Song: Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now, Jefferson Starship Favourite 80's Movie: There's so many but you can't beat The Lost Boys & The Breakfast Club Favourite 80's Trend: Shoulder Pads with my Perm at the blue light discos! Le is looking forward to meeting local businesses and the local community!
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You can reach Le: M: 0411 33 22 88 | E: leona@my88.com.au