Extra Time August 2 2019

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James Fisher-Harris Photo: Megan Dunn

DOG FIGHT

BANKWEST BAT TLE: PANTHERS MUST BOUNCE BACK MASKED PANTHER > P32 RCG on the outer? Plus the latest on Tyrone Peachey’s return to Penrith

LOVING LEOTA > P34 Big Moses on why the Panthers can charge towards the Finals

CELEBRITY TIPSTERS > P36-37 Not sure who to back this weekend?

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Friday, August 2, 2019 « the western weekender

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PANTHERS 1

Dylan Edwards

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

Josh Mansour Dean Whare Brent Naden Brian To’o James Maloney Nathan Cleary James Tamou (c) Mitchell Kenny James Fisher-Harris Liam Martin Frank Winterstein Isaah Yeo Wayde Egan Jarome Luai Moses Leota Reagan Campbell-Gillard Spencer Leniu

the western weekender • extra time » Friday, August 2, 2019

MATCH PREVIEW

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BULLDOGS

FOX LEAGUE

Liam Martin in action against the Raiders. Photo: Megan Dunn

TROY

DODDS Penrith return to the venue where their recent seven match winning streak began when they head to Western Sydney Stadium on Saturday to take on the Bulldogs.

It was against Parramatta way back on May 23 that Penrith’s season, then flat on the canvas, had life breathed into it, and over the ensuing couple of months Ivan Cleary’s side would – against all odds – get themselves back into Finals contention.

Unfortunately the Panthers fell into some old habits against Canberra last weekend, with their attack less than impressive against a Raiders side that Ricky Stuart has perfectly placed for a tilt at the premiership this year.

While Penrith were on the wrong side

of a few 50/50 calls, Canberra simply had their measure for the majority of the contest and never looked like losing.

With the pressure of extending their winning streak now out of the way, the Panthers head to Parramatta to take on a Canterbury side that is heading towards the end of a long, hard season.

Dean Pay’s team proved last week however they are no easybeats, only falling by eight points to one of the competition heavyweights in the shape of the Roosters.

The week prior they surrendered meekly to Brisbane while before that they beat the Knights in Newcastle. Here is a side that can turn it on when everything clicks, but days like that have been few and far between this season. The Dogs simply don’t have the cattle to be as consistent as is required to be competing in September, as their position on the ladder reflects.

2GB 873 ABC 702 One thing you can probably expect this Saturday is plenty of points, given these two sides have missed more tackles than anyone else in the competition this season. Penrith holds that questionable honour with 710 missed tackles so far this year, while the Bulldogs sit in second place with 655. Add in the fact that Penrith give away more penalties than anyone else in the competition and the door is certainly open for the Bulldogs to spoil Penrith’s Finals party.

But something the stats don’t show is effort and enthusiasm, and Penrith have had plenty of that during their last eight matches.

Even against Canberra last week there was a feeling they’d stepped up considerably from where they were in the opening few months of the season.

Ivan Cleary has stuck solid with the 17 players who took the field against the

1

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

Nick Meaney Kerrod Holland Will Hopoate Reimis Smith Jack Cogger Lachlan Lewis Aiden Tolman Michael Lichaa Dylan Napa Josh Jackson Corey Harawira-Naera Adam Elliott Jeremy Marshall-King Renouf Toomaga Danny Fualalo Chris Smith

Raiders last weekend, while the Bulldogs have also resisted making any changes, Pay happy to reward the side that pushed the defending champions all the way at ANZ Stadium last Sunday.

This match marks the first time Dallin Watene- Zelezniak comes up against the Panthers, while Corey Harawira- Naera also fronts his old club, adding an extra bit of spice to the contest.

Penrith’s loss to the Raiders is forgivable in the context of where the two sides currently sit and the fact that the old adage – you have to lose eventually – was always going to come into play at some stage.

A loss against Canterbury, however, will be far from acceptable if the Panthers want to play Finals football.

These are the games they simply need to win, especially at a neutral venue.

Tip: Panthers by 10.

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Friday, August 2, 2019 « the western weekender • extra time

PANTHER RUMBLINGS

with the Masked Panther

RCG OUT?  The drums are beating louder and

louder about the future of Reagan Campbell-Gillard at Penrith, with new rumours doing the rounds this week that Parramatta are planning to launch a bid for the front-rower. I told you some weeks ago that Penrith officials were uncomfortable with RCG’s huge deal at the club, which doesn’t expire until the end of 2024. The contract was signed off on by former General Manager Phil Gould, who agreed to a massive pay packet for the 26-year-old, who is currently coming off the bench for Penrith and has struggled to find his best form this year. Watch this space – I’m told there’s a very good chance the Eels will get their man.

Reagan Campbell-Gillard has been linked to Parramatta. Photo: Megan Dunn

 I’m told there’s almost no doubt that

Tyrone Peachey will find his way to the Panthers next season. After a rumoured mid-season switch back to Sydney failed to eventuate, it was thought the 27-yearold may stick it out on the Gold Coast, especially with a new coach in the mix for next season. But I’m told Peachey is still harbouring a desire to return to NSW next season and that Penrith remains the most likely destination.

 Penrith coach Ivan Cleary has been

cleared of any wrongdoing over an incident involving referee Ashley Klein that reportedly happened in the tunnel at half-time at Panthers Stadium last weekend. After interviewing all the key players, the NRL said it was closing the matter with no action against Cleary.

 Once again demonstrating their sup-

port of the community and great causes, St Marys Rugby League Club purchased 100 beanies from the Mark Hughes Foundation for their Ron Massey Cup, Sydney Shield and Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership teams, joining many rugby league clubs wearing their “beanies for brain cancer” last weekend.

 Penrith has commenced a formal part-

nership with the Men of League Foundation in aid of those in the rugby league community who need a helping hand.

The partnership will see Panthers players

and staff help raise awareness about Men of League Foundation activities and assist with the delivery of wellbeing projects.

The Men of League Foundation provides practical support to individuals and families in the rugby league community who have fallen on hard times. “Panthers has always taken great pride in its community programs so it’s a natural extension of that for us to have joined forces with the Men of League Foundation,” Panthers General Manager Rugby League, Matt Cameron said.

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NRL CEO Todd Greenberg will be in Penrith today (Friday, August 2) to attend a special sportsman’s luncheon being hosted by Panthers Leagues Club. Comedian Steve Allison, Panthers 1991 Grand Final captain Greg Alexander and Fox Sports presenter Yvonne Sampson will also appear at the function. The luncheon is raising funds for the Men of League Foundation, Coonamble Rugby League Club and Gilgandra Rugby League Club.

 Keep an eye out for some ripper deals

at the Panthers Store in the coming weeks and months. It’s likely the club will be clearing out as much Classic Sportswear stock as possible ahead of their new partnership with O’Neills commencing next season.

 Congratulations to Panthers winger

Josh Mansour and his wife Daniella, who welcomed a new baby into the world this week. Andre Anthony Mansour was born on Wednesday morning. Mother, child and footballer are doing well.

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the western weekender • extra time » Friday, August 2, 2019

FEATURE

“WE’LL BOUNCE BACK” TAYLOR Panthers hooker Wayde Egan says it’s time to stop kicking stones about refereeing decisions and get back to work.

Penrith failed to keep their incredible winning streak alive last Sunday following a rather controversial loss to premiership contenders Canberra 30- 18 at Panthers Stadium.

Penrith skipper James Tamou and vicecaptain James Maloney blew up at match officials multiple times throughout the contest, with Canberra seemingly getting the rub of the green on many of the 50/50 calls.

Speaking with Extra Time on Tuesday, the 22-year-old said the officiating wasn’t the reason his side lost on Sunday.

“You can never blame the refs for any games, well I don’t anyway,” Egan said.

“We weren’t good enough to beat Canberra. Sometimes the 50/50 calls don’t go your way and sometimes they do. You can’t get stuck whinging about it.”

While Penrith were unable to record an eighth straight win, they were impressed with how well they matched up against one of the competition’s best sides.

Egan said despite the loss, Penrith are still brimming with confidence and are eager to kick start another winning streak.

“Losing after seven wins in a row was tough to swallow, it sucked, but we weren’t too far off the Raiders on the weekend,” he said.

“We’d probably be kicking ourselves if we played really bad but we know we did some good stuff out there against a quality side and we can keep our heads up high.

“We are definitely up there and we are a much- improved side compared to the start of the year. Last weekend’s game won’t shake our confidence, I think we are a top four side.”

Penrith will look to get back on track tomorrow night when they face the lowly Canterbury Bulldogs at Western Sydney Stadium. The Round 20 clash will be the first time the Panthers have faced the boys from Belmore all season.

Egan, who will play at the shiny new Parramatta stadium for the first time, said the match will be a real battle no matter how far down Canterbury sit on the ladder.

“It’s the NRL not park footy, every week is tough no matter who you play. Whether they are first or 16th, you have to be at your best to win,” he said.

Penrith dummy half Wayde Egan in action. Photo: Megan Dunn “The Bulldogs only just got beat by the Chooks on the weekend, so it shows what sort of side they can be if they turn it on.

“They are on the improve as well, so I’m certainly very wary of them this weekend.”

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Friday, August 2, 2019 « the western weekender • extra time

FEATURE Photo: Megan Dunn

MOSES LEMOTOR BIG PROP RE-LIVES HIS INSPIRING RUNAWAY TRY NATHAN

TAYLOR

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Panthers prop Moses Leota is preparing himself for some fired up ex- teammates when Penrith do battle with Canterbury tomorrow night.

For the first time this year Penrith players will go head to head against Bulldogs recruits Corey Harawira-Naera and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak.

While Harawira- Naera left the Panthers in the off-season to take up a better deal at Belmore, mystery still surrounds the recent departure of Watene- Zelezniak, who was a local junior and club leader at Penrith.

Speaking with Extra Time, Leota said he’s expecting plenty of spice from his former teammates tomorrow night.

“Of course they’ll be fired up, if it were me I would be,” he said.

“It will be good to see them and play against them. Hopefully I can shake their hands and have a few laughs after the match. Corey, Dallin and Christian Crichton, who also left... we were all a tight group here. It was sad to see them go but that’s just the way it is.”

“I THOUGHT I’D PIN MY EARS BACK AND HAVE A DIG”

While Canterbury haven’t enjoyed the best of seasons in 2019 – currently 15th with five wins – they are on the improve and have knocked off the Cronulla Sharks and Newcastle Knights in recent weeks.

Last Sunday they came desperately close to another big scalp, only losing to the Roosters 20-12.

“They only just lost to the Roosters and I have a feeling they’ll come out firing again on Saturday night. We’ll need to be on our game because they’ll be out to beat us,” Leota said.

“We were gutted to lose last weekend to make it eight wins in-a-row but after that loss, the boys will be hungry this week.”

While Penrith’s 12-point loss to Canberra last Sunday afternoon wasn’t ideal, they do remain in the top eight for at least another week.

Leota said losing to Ricky Stuart’s men was “tough” and that his side let a few things they learned at training slip.

“Canberra is really good at one- on- one strips and, even though we focused on that at training, there were a few strips in that game which really hurt us,” he said.

“We also didn’t tighten up our ‘D’ enough as well as do the little things right like turn up for each other.”

Perhaps one of the highlights out of last weekend’s loss to the Raiders was Leota’s 48th minute runway try. Not known for his try scoring ability, the 24-year-old has now scored tries in back to back games, however last Sunday’s efforts will be remembered for a very long time.

“I just got on the field, had my first carry and Jimmy Maloney did a little chip over the top. Fish then caught the ball, passed it to me and I just saw the line and went for it,” Leota recalled.

“At first I was thinking about passing it to Nathan but then I saw one of their defenders coming, so I thought I’d pin my ears back and have a dig.”

Maloney leaves incredible legacy in the NRL

ANDY RAYMOND I

n a day and age where rugby league players seem to sing from the same cliché hymn sheet, it was refreshing to watch James Maloney’s press conference last week.

After 244 first grade games, 14 State of Origin appearances for the Blues, three tests for Australia and two premierships, Maloney called the media together to announce that this year will be his last in the NRL. But unlike many a press conference before it, there were no tears, there were no clichés and there were no promises of exiting the game with a premiership.

There was Jimmy Maloney.

The same bloke who spent two years in the lower grades at the Eels before joining the Storm in 2009, where he would play just four first grade games before flying across the ditch to link with the Warriors.

It was at the Warriors that we first got a glimpse of what Maloney was capable of with the boy from Orange taking the Kiwi club to a Grand Final in just his second year there.

Maloney was a standout during his time at the Warriors and it surprised no one

James Maloney speaks to the media last week. Photo: Megan Dunn when he made his State of Origin debut in 2013 after moving to the Roosters in the same year.

2013 was an outstanding year for Maloney, who finished with a premiership ring on one hand and a Dally M trophy in the other, as the leading point scorer in the game.

It was plain to see by the good judges in the game that wherever Maloney went success would soon follow, so when the Sharks were looking to break their premiership drought, it came as no surprise that Maloney was the man they turned to.

And Maloney didn’t disappoint.

During the Sharks’ premiership-winning year of 2016, Maloney finished the year as the Dally M five-eighth of the year and was given his first green and gold jersey.

Moving to the Panthers in 2018, many believed that Maloney would be the missing ingredient in Penrith’s premiership quest, but as yet that hasn’t come to fruition.

BUT… Those at the foot of the Mountains shouldn’t write- off Maloney, and the Magic Man’s ability to fire up his side come September.

Maloney may have been all jokes and smiles at his press conference last week to announce he’s jetting off to the English Super League at the end of the season, but you can guarantee that under that smile is a burning desire to leave the NRL on top.

It’s the same desire that saw him leave the Eels to join the Storm, the same desire that saw him take the Warriors to a Grand Final, the same desire that saw him win premierships with the Roosters and Sharks, and the same desire that will see him leave the NRL as one of the best playmakers of this generation.

the western weekender • extra time » Friday, August 2, 2019

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Friday, August 2, 2019 « the western weekender

It’s time to transform the salary cap

CLINTON MAYNARD T

he salary cap is designed to create an even competition. In the main it has done that over the past 20 years.

In that time most teams have made the Finals however the Melbourne Storm and Sydney Roosters have still dominated when it comes to Minor Premierships.

The cap was designed to work in tandem with a player draft, as it does in the AFL and most of the big American sports. Not having a draft means the cap will always be flawed.

NRL CEO Todd Greenberg has confirmed the League is looking to introduce player transfer windows. The hope is they’ll bring about more orderly movement of players and that is needed given the ‘any time, any place’ system that’s in place at the moment.

Transfer windows will also be flawed because competitive clubs will do everything possible to bend the rules. Given we already have an imperfect system, isn’t it time the NRL made changes to the salary cap and rewarded clubs for developing star players?

Fans want to see local juniors star for their clubs. Fans want to see star players

remain with their club long-term, however the cap in its current form discourages this.

Next year Manly’s Trbojevic brothers are off contract. From November 1 this year, other clubs can attempt to sign them. Jake is probably worth $1 million a season, Tom even more. These players have grown up on the Northern Beaches, it would be a tragedy to see them leave the club. Signing both players at once on similar deals would be beyond the means of most clubs under the cap. If the brothers want to stay they’ll probably have to take unders. The Sea Eagles should be given major salary cap discounts to keep them.

Whatever Sydney - based fans think about the Melbourne Storm, their star players over the years, even though they’re from Queensland, were developed by the club. They should also be given salary cap discounts to keep those players.

This season the Panthers have shed local junior Dallin Watene- Zeleniak and Waqa Blake mid-season because of the cap.

There’s currently a $200,000 provision in the cap for players who’ve spent eight years at their club, that’s not $200,000 off

the western weekender • extra time » Friday, August 2, 2019

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Friday, August 2, 2019 « the western weekender • extra time

NRL LADDER AND FIXTURES PD

W

D

L

B

F

Storm

18

15

0

3

1

463

228 +235 32

2 Rabbitohs

18

13

0

5

1

406

298 +108 28

3 Roosters

18

12

0

6

1

439

299 +140 26

4 Raiders

18

12

0

6

1

389

266

+123 26

5 Sea Eagles

18

11

0

7

1

378

322

+56

24

6 Eels

18 10

0

8

1

411

398

+13

22

7 Panthers

18

9

0

9

1

297

358

-61

20

8 Broncos

18

8

1

9

1

335

355

-20

19

9 Knights

18

8

0

10

1

371

362

9

18

CLUB

1

A

+/-

PTS

10 Sharks

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8

0

10

1

356

363

-7

18

11 W. Tigers

18

8

0

10

1

323

389

-66

18

12 Warriors

18

7

1

10

1

341

377

-36

17

13 Cowboys

18

7

0

11

1

299

370

-71

16

14 Dragons

18

6

0

12

1

321

425

-104 14

15 Bulldogs

18

5

0

13

1

228

412

-184 12

16 Titans

18

4

0

14

1

296

431

-135 10

FACE IN THE CROWD

Round 20

/ / / / / / / /

Thursday, August 1 7.50pm Leichhardt Oval Friday, August 2 6pm Mt Smart Stadium

Friday, August 2 7.55pm Suncorp Stadium Saturday, August 3 3pm Lottoland

IS THIS YOU?

Saturday, August 3 5.30pm Bankwest Stadium

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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.

Saturday, August 3 7.35pm PointsBet Stadium Sunday, August 4 2pm SCG

Extra Time Issue Number 2019-021 PRODUCED BY The Western Weekender EDITOR Troy Dodds / 4722 2998 / troy.dodds@westernweekender.com.au

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Miracle at foot of the Mountains Rugby league can produce some remarkable moments and memories, but the events of June 4, 2000 will live in the minds of Penrith Panthers fans forever.

On that day, we saw one of the most remarkable comebacks in NRL history – a result that had Penrith fans in raptures and Tigers fans in absolute shock.

It’s probably fair to say that a big chunk of the 16,000- strong crowd at Penrith Stadium back on that June afternoon would have already left the ground with the Panthers down 31- 8 to the Tigers mid- way through the second half. It appeared the Tigers had done enough to win the game and had certainly outplayed the Panthers for much of the contest.

But proving that rugby league can sometimes deliver the impossible, Penrith would mount an incredible fightback to eventually win the game 32-31.

The comeback started in the 57th minute when some fancy passing and ‘hot potato’ football saw Shane Elford score in the corner. Chris Hicks converted to make the score 31-14, but victory still seemed an impossible task.

That was until the impossible became the probable – in the very next set, Craig Gower went from dummy half to score

the western weekender • extra time » Friday, August 2, 2019

Panther Flashback

SCOREBOARD NRL

RAIDERS 30 PANTHERS 18

NSW CUP

PANTHERS 24 MOUNTIES 14 The Panthers celebrate the remarkable win over Wests Tigers in 2000 under the posts and with the conversion, Penrith were just 11 points behind with 20 minutes to play.

With 15 minutes left, sustained pressure saw Penrith attacking the Tigers’ line and a slick play to the right saw big Tony Puletua carry numerous defenders over the line with him to score. Hicks converted again, and the score was 31-26.

With the crowd going wild, Penrith continued to force their way down field and with 10 minutes to play, Puletua strolled over for his second try as the Panthers continued to expose weak defence on the Tigers’ left hand side.

Hicks landed the conversion from close to the sideline to put the home side up 32-31.

The Panthers still had to hang on for 10 minutes to win the game, but after coming from so far behind, there was no way Penrith was going to surrender the lead. With the crowd on their feet, the Panthers stayed in front and won by a single point.

“I can’t remember the last time I saw a game like this,” Peter Sterling said in commentary on Channel Nine.

“Miracle at the foot of the Mountains,” read the headline on the front page of The Daily Telegraph the next day.

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Friday, August 2, 2019 « the western weekender • extra time

EXTRA MINUTES  Wests Tigers hooker Robbie Farah has announced that he’ll retire at the end of the season after playing more than 300 first grade games.

 In a powerful display of unity, Austral-

ians have rallied behind the Mark Hughes Foundation (MHF) to raise $3.1 million in the quest to defeat brain cancer across the 2019 Beanie for Brain Cancer Round.

This year’s Beanie for Brain Cancer campaign urged fans to buy an MHF Beanie at all NRL matches or donate online with the aim of raising $3 million for research.

All proceeds raised are directed straight to research and it’s only through innovation and teamwork that better treatments will be found for brain cancer patients.

170,000 MHF Beanies were sold during the Beanie for Brain Cancer campaign.

Sportsbet donated $55,000 after 55 tries were scored in Round 19 ($1000 per try).

 Mark Coyne has resigned as an Aus-

tralian Rugby League Commissioner following his arrest in Singapore. “The Commission thanks him for the outstanding contribution he has made on the Commission and to the game more broadly over many decades,” said ARLC Chair, Peter Beattie. “Mark will not be lost to the game. Mark will remain involved

Canberra coach Ricky Stuart proudly dons a beanie last weekend. Photo: Megan Dunn in rugby league at a grassroots level and I have invited him to remain on the NRL committee to oversee grassroots investment in the game.”



Suspended South Sydney forward George Burgess is heading back to Eng-

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land after signing a three-year deal with Super League club Wigan. The 27-yearold may still have an NRL farewell – he’ll be available for the Finals after he completes a nine-game ban for eye-gouging.

 Head referee Chris Sutton, assistant

referee Chris Butler and touch judges Clayton Sharpe and Adam Cassidy have all been demoted from first grade after their shocking performance in the Eels v Warriors match. However, the NRL says it’s not convinced a crucial forward pass call late in the game was wrong.

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