Photo: Melinda Jane.
the finalword
The ramifications of one intercept try certainly cut deep, don’t they?
After being in the top two for most of the season, Penrith’s hopes of playing a home Final have faded at the last minute as a result of back-to-back defeats against Melbourne and Canberra.
The Panthers now find themselves in fourth spot and with destiny no longer in their hands as far as a home Final is concerned.
But I suspect coach Ivan Cleary has bigger things to worry about, as his cryptic but deliberate press conference earlier this week suggested.
His main focus will be getting his side’s confidence back up and the players focused for these two final regular season games against South Sydney and Gold Coast.
On paper they both should be comfortable wins but Penrith’s form has been far from
superb of late, so you’d have to consider both danger games to some degree.
This is perhaps Cleary’s biggest challenge of the five-year run at the pointy end of the table, though he may argue the 2021 preparation –with all that was going on behind the scenes – was more turbulent.
There is no question the Panthers have not been in this position form-wise at any stage of the Premiership run. As Cleary himself said last week, there’s been times in the last few years when the side has been almost twiddling its thumbs, waiting for the Finals to start. This time around, he has some work on his hands.
Of course we all know that the side will look different in week one of the Finals. Nathan Cleary will be back and it’ll be pretty much a full-strength team that runs out for that game.
But a lot can be done in the next two weeks, starting on Friday night, to have the team in the
right headspace ahead of the biggest games of the season.
The first thing Cleary needed to do was settle his backline. He’s brought back Sunia Turuva and named Paul Alamoti in the centres.
Barring injury or suspension, that needs to be the line-up moving forward. No more tinkering at such a crucial stage of the season.
Next up will be getting in the heads of Jarome Luai and Brad Schneider to ensure there’s no hangover from the performance against the Raiders last week. Both were probably guilty of trying too hard, while in Schneider’s case he was targeted all day – no easy thing to deal with when you’ve been in and out of first grade.
Luai is a confidence player. When he’s on, he’s on. When he’s a little off, he can become trigger happy and off on his own tangent, which makes Penrith’s attack sluggish and clunky.
I suspect Cleary may have pushed for a reset
across the board this week. Forget the last fortnight, forget home Finals and top four, just focus on winning.
South Sydney were gallant but generally disappointing against Newcastle last Saturday night and have reached the point of the season where all out of contention teams end up.
Namely, preparing for a holiday.
Cam Murray’s failed attempt to have a high tackle charge downgraded at the judiciary on Tuesday night probably put the red felt tip pen through Souths this weekend.
I’ve been wrong a few times this year with outlandish predictions at the end of these previews, but I actually think Penrith have a point to prove this week – and that’s not a position they’ve been in for a while.
I’m tipping they’ll put the foot down and get the job done comfortably.
Tip: Panthers by 24.
TROY DODDS FRIDAY, AUGUST 30 | 8.00PM | BLUEBET STADIUM | REFEREE: PETER GOUGH | BUNKER: CHRIS BUTLER
Penrith coach Ivan Cleary has made the stunning admission that there’s a question mark around his side’s desire to win a fourth straight NRL title.
In what could be considered a public challenge to his team, Cleary declared his side could still win the Premiership but admitted they weren’t playing as well as he’d like at a crucial stage of the season.
“You end up
deserve and that’s what will happen,” he said on Monday.
“I totally believe we can win it but we have to make a decision on whether we’re prepared to pay that price to win it.
“At the moment there is probably a question mark around that.”
The Panthers have slipped out of the top two for the first time in five years just two weeks out from the Finals, and the possibility of a home Final at BlueBet Stadium is slipping away.
“It’s not so much about where we’re at now, it’s about what happens in two weeks time,”
“We’ve actually had a strong year in many different ways but right now we’re not playing as well as we’d like and we’re not playing as well as we need to.”
Cleary said he was disappointed in last week’s loss to Canberra in the nation’s capital, which followed defeat the hands of Melbourne the week prior.
“We didn’t play anywhere near our best and were probably out-willed by the opposition,”
“I know we’ve got enough of a body of work behind us this season to be able
panther rumblings
FOX SISTERS SHARE SOME GOLD
! Gold medal guests: Gold Medal winners Jess and Noemie Fox made a special appearance at Panthers HQ on Monday morning. The sisters made a surprise appearance at the team meeting, introduced by head coach Ivan Cleary. It was the perfect time for a chat about rising above adversity, and a good mood booster for the players given recent back-toback defeats. Jess and Noemie will both be at the Panthers v Rabbitohs clash on Friday night, with the crowd given the chance to congratulate them on their Olympics success.
! Truth about stadium seats: There’s been some conjecture lately over just how many seats at the new Penrith Stadium will be under cover. I can reveal that about 50 per cent of all seats in the new stadium will be under cover as part of the proposed design. The existing eastern grandstand has approximately 3,100 covered seats currently. The proposed design has about 4,500 covered seats. The existing western grandstand has approximately 2,500 covered seats currently. The proposed design has about 4,100 covered seats.
! Cleary could play: I’m told that halfback Nathan Cleary could probably play against Souths or Gold Coast, but Penrith isn’t willing to risk his shoulder before the Finals. It’s a good sign that Cleary will definitely be right to go for the Qualifying Final. He returned to training this week and the shoulder is looking as good as could be expected.
! Backing organ donation: Panthers coach Ivan Cleary rocked up to his weekly prematch media conference this week wearing the official Jersey Day merchandise, as he again gets behind the Jersey Day initiative this Friday, August 30. Each Jersey Day, organisers ask schools and workplaces across Australia to allow students and employees to wear their favourite sporting jersey to school or work and begin the conversation with their family and friends about the importance of becom ing an organ and tissue donor. Jersey Day was inspired by the gift of life that Nathan Gremmo gave to six people when he became an organ donor at age 13.
! Sponsors get first-hand look: Corporate partners will be taken to CommBank Stadium in Parramatta next week to check out the facilities
and signage options available for the 2025 season. The club is confronting a challenge next year in moving the commitments to sponsors to an entirely new venue, as well as on the road in Mudgee, Bathurst, Brisbane and of course Las Vegas.
! Merv locked in: This year’s Merv Cartwright Medal night has been confirmed, with the event to take place on Tuesday, October 8 at the Western Sydney Conference Centre. The event will again be held after the Grand Final, potentially doubling as Premiership celebration for players, officials and sponsors. It’ll be the second year the event has been held at the Conference Centre.
Dress-up day for last stand: Fans are being encouraged to dress in their oldest Penrith Panthers jersey or shirt for the final home game at Penrith Park on Saturday, September 7 against Gold Coast. Ironically, the initiative is being led by Panthers fan Mick – who who rarely wears his shirt.
! Members looked after: Penrith last week released details about the transition to CommBank Stadium next year and the return to Penrith Park in 2027. While you’re never going to please everybody, I believe the club’s done a pretty thorough and positive job in ensuring everyone is looked after. I notice some fans have blown up on various Panthers fan pages, but it’s hard to argue with the set-up the club has put together – especially in trying circumstances.
! Webster moves on: One of the good guys of rugby league media, Andrew Webster (pictured left with NRL CEO Andrew Abdo at the recent Hall of Fame dinner), is moving on from The Sydney Morning Herald after accepting a redundancy from Nine Newspapers. Let’s hope he’s not lost to the game.
! Radio duo’s rise: Panthers legend Greg Alexander and his radio partner in crime Andrew Voss continue to make inroads in the tough Sydney market. The Vossy & Brandy breakfast show on SEN had an increase of 0.2 per cent in the survey released on Tuesday, bringing them to 2.6 per cent of the breakfast market in Sydney. Considering where the show started, it’s not a bad result and sees them equal with Sydney’s other sports breakfast show, the Big Sports Breakfast on Sky Sports Radio. Another boost is expected as the Finals arrive.
! Got some goss? I don’t keep secrets but I do protect my sources. If you’ve heard a rumour or spotted a Panther out and about, email maskedpanther@westernweekender.com.au or text 0434 986 622.
Noemie and Jess Fox visit the Panthers.
GARNER REACHES CENTURY
Recently re-signed Panthers backrower
Luke Garner says he is grateful to be playing his 100th NRL game this week because there was a big part of him that thought he’d never get there.
One of Garner’s goals in the pre-season was to notch up the century in season 2024, while his other goal was to play every game this year.
While the latter never eventuated due to a pesky hamstring injury that saw him miss a dozen games, he will get to ‘raise the bat’ against the Rabbitohs at BlueBet Stadium tonight.
“It’s very exciting! I’ve had a bit of time off football this season and this was the game I definitely wanted to get to this year,” Garner told Extra Time on Wednesday.
“There were a few moments in my life where I didn’t think I’d get even one game let alone 100, so it’s pretty cool.”
Before Ivan Cleary debuted Garner at the Tigers back in 2018, the 28-year-old was a member of the Sydney Roosters, playing predominately for their reserve grade team in Wyong.
Not getting a look in at the Roosters under Trent Robinson, Garner said leaving the Bondi Junction club for Wests in 2017 was and still is the most pivotal moment of his career.
“As a younger guy, I was turned away from teams or when I was at the Roosters back in the day, I wasn’t shunned from there, but I
definitely wasn’t good enough to be a first grade player and I was told more or less that I probably wouldn’t be, and now I am,” he said proudly.
“Getting pushed away from the Roosters back then, I look back on that being the best thing for me, so it’s pretty exciting I get to play 100 games after coming off the back of a few speed bumps along the way.”
Garner will be hoping to celebrate his milestone with a victory over South Sydney.
It’s been a lean little period for the defending Premiers after they dropped back-to-back games last week for the first time this season, and Garner knows time is running out to turn things around.
“Last week against the Raiders was disappointing but we took plenty of lessons from it,” Garner said.
“We have to try and learn from those things and not take the losses too hard.
“We’re still a good team. We’re still in the top four. I think if we can get some momentum over the next two games, hopefully the Finals look good for us again.”
Garner said winning his maiden Premiership last season was one of the highlights of his 100-game career and he’s not prepared to leave his personal title tally sitting at one.
“I’m not satisfied with what we did last year. I definitely want to win again this year,” he affirmed.
“The hunger is still there, and I think it is with all the crew. We just have to change a few things and hopefully we’re on our way to being there at the end of the year again.”
Luke Garner chatting to Extra Time Photo: Emily Chate.
SMITH: WE’RE STILL HUNGRY FOR TITLE
As the saying goes, ‘no premiership victory is the same’, and the Panthers know that very well having won the past three NRL titles in very different circumstances.
After recent back-to-back losses to Melbourne and Canberra, Penrith find themselves in the unusual position of fourth with just two games remaining.
If that holds when the final siren rings out at the end of Round 27, fourth will be Penrith’s lowest position on the ladder during their current dynasty.
Speaking with Extra Time on Wednesday, Panthers prop Lindsay Smith said no path to glory is the same.
“Every comp is different, and you have to win it in different ways. Every comp we’ve won has been different every year,” Smith said.
“In ’21, the boys lost the first week of the Finals. ’22 was that flawless run through the Finals. And last year was completely different again with the game.
“Every year has its challenges, and every year has a different course to try and get there on Grand Final Day.”
After a week of headlines questioning Penrith’s desire for a four-peat, the players have hit back at the critics, saying they do have the belief and the hunger to reach the top of the mountain once again.
“It’s not great to have two losses in a row at any stage of the season, but there’s learnings there,” Smith said.
“People will be externally questioning our belief but I think internally we’ve all got belief in the squad that we can get the job done, but right now it’s about taking it week by week and that will show on Friday night.”
Tonight’s game against the lowly South Sydney Rabbitohs will be the 50th of Smith’s NRL career. A St Marys junior, the 24-year-old
made his debut way back in 2021 and has been a mainstay of Ivan Cleary’s side since last season.
2024 has been Smith’s best year to-date. Not only has he stepped up on numerous occasions in the absence of James Fisher-Harris, but he’s the only Panther to play every single game this season.
“50 NRL games feels quick! It’s not something
I’ve paid too much attention to, but it definitely feels quick,” Smith said.
“The 2023 Grand Final would be up there as my favourite game so far. A lot of people go their whole career, or have established careers, without winning one, so to win one in my first full-time year was pretty special.”
Here’s hoping Smith can add another in five games’ time!
Lindsay Smith believes Penrith have what it takes to win the competition again. Photo: NRL Photos.
NATHAN TAYLOR
CASEY M c LEAN
Missed last week’s results? Here’s a rundown of what happened in key Penrith Panthers games...
Tries: Xavier Savage 2, K Weekes, A Hopoate Goals: J Fogarty 3/4
Tries: L Sommerton, D Laurie, J Fisher-Harris Goals: D Edwards 3/4
Tries: S Turuva, H Hassett, M Eisenhuth, I Iongi Goals: P Alamoti 5/5
Tries: J Stuart, T Mooney, N Martin, O Pattie Goals: A Cook 4/4
Tries: N Murphy 2, J Edgar, N Murphy, J Galuvao Goals: J Cleary 3/6
Tries: E Alai, L Mpaso Goals: K Skipps 2/4
BYE: TIGERS
It’s safe to say that for the first time in five years the Panthers’ air of invincibility has taken a serious hit.
Penrith supporters are divided as to whether the team can rally over the next two weeks, enter the Finals and mount a real challenge for a fourth consecutive premiership. There are two schools of thought on this one.
On the one hand, we have the blindly loyal and optimistic Panthers supporter who feels that once Nathan Cleary comes back and the side is at full strength,
Penrith will take that ‘last ride’, destroy every team in its path and once again hold aloft the NRL Premiership trophy.
On the other hand, we have the blindly pessimistic but equally loyal supporter who believes that Penrith are in huge trouble and not even the return of the best player in the world can save them from being knocked out in straight sets.
It’s a lot to put on one player but he can handle it.
Now for the flip side.
Penrith are playing poor football at the wrong end of the season. Sure, Cleary being out is a huge blow but there are plenty of superstars left in the side who are not playing up to their potential or are terribly out of form.
Brian To’o hasn’t been the same since the whole ‘shopping around’ controversy reared its ugly head about a month ago.
Dylan Edwards is also out of sorts, raising questions about whether his injury has properly healed while Jarome Luai is looking anything like a top-shelf halfback with his frantic play and game management virtually non-existent at crucial times.
And I don’t know what’s happened to Liam Martin.
CAN PENRITH RISE FROM CANVAS? lang on league
For once I’m not going to bombard anyone with my opinion.
I’m just going to put forward some thoughts and let you decide.
Look, the positive Panthers supporter has a strong case. The side finds itself in this predicament of being in fourth place, due to a series of unfortunate multiple suspensions and injuries to key players on a regular basis.
I mean, the best halfback in the NRL has missed almost half the season. So, his return will be a huge boost for the side. Cleary provides leadership, direction and has proven himself a clutch player time and time again. He’s a winner, no doubt about that.
The side is also expected to be at full strength come week one of the Finals. Barring any further injuries,
Scott Sorensen is expected to return in Round 27. This will finally allow Penrith to field its strongest forward pack of the season.
Finally, the Panthers are a battle-hardened team, they are packed with experienced players who will not be over-awed playing Finals football. If Cleary stays healthy, there’s no reason why Penrith can’t win another title.
The backline is a mess with players running the wrong lines and angles, there’s no cohesion in attack with Brad Schneider often getting in the way rather than facilitating anything.
Finally, the Panthers defence is being broached way too easily when the opposition is attacking 20 metres out.
So can Penrith find their spark and win or are they a punch-drunk boxer just waiting for that final knockout punch to be delivered? You decide.
The Western Weekender Penrith Panthers Player of the Year competition runs throughout the season, with our four experts delivering a 3, 2, 1 rating for the best Panthers players from each Penrith game. The player with the most votes at the end of the season is crowned our Player of the Year.
Penrith lost back-to-back games last weekend. Photo: NRL Photos. with Peter Lang
panther memories
The signing of Bob Boland ahead of the 1968 season was critical for Penrith.
After Leo Trevena guided the club through its inaugural season in 1967, the Panthers signed Boland to a fiveyear deal as captaincoach of the club.
Boland had been loyal to Balmain for 12 seasons, making 157 appearances for the club in the top grade.
His time at the Panthers was mixed as a player.
He would play 39 games across the 1968 and 1969 seasons, but injury saw him play just five matches in 1970 before retiring.
He stayed on as coach, seeing out the full fiveyear deal.
The highlight of Boland’s time at the club? Winning the pre-season competition in 1968 – a major milestone for the club.
look on.
Pictured is Boland signing with Penrith as Treasurer Ron Partridge (left) and Secretary Merv Cartwright (centre)
COWBOYS BULLDOGS
COWBOYS BULLDOGS PANTHERS EELS BRONCOS SHARKS KNIGHTS ROOSTERS
STORM BULLDOGS PANTHERS EELS BRONCOS SHARKS TITANS ROOSTERS
COWBOYS BULLDOGS PANTHERS DRAGONS BRONCOS SHARKS KNIGHTS ROOSTERS
COWBOYS BULLDOGS PANTHERS DRAGONS DOLPHINS SHARKS KNIGHTS RAIDERS
COWBOYS BULLDOGS PANTHERS DRAGONS BRONCOS SHARKS KNIGHTS ROOSTERS
COWBOYS BULLDOGS PANTHERS DRAGONS BRONCOS SHARKS KNIGHTS ROOSTERS
COWBOYS BULLDOGS PANTHERS EELS BRONCOS SHARKS KNIGHTS ROOSTERS
STORM SEA EAGLES RABBITOHS DRAGONS BRONCOS WARRIORS TITANS RAIDERS
COWBOYS BULLDOGS PANTHERS DRAGONS DOLPHINS WARRIORS TITANS RAIDERS
STORM BULLDOGS PANTHERS DRAGONS BRONCOS SHARKS KNIGHTS ROOSTERS
STORM BULLDOGS PANTHERS EELS DOLPHINS SHARKS KNIGHTS ROOSTERS
COWBOYS BULLDOGS PANTHERS DRAGONS BRONCOS SHARKS KNIGHTS ROOSTERS
STORM SEA EAGLES PANTHERS DRAGONS BRONCOS SHARKS KNIGHTS ROOSTERS
COWBOYS SEA EAGLES PANTHERS DRAGONS BRONCOS SHARKS KNIGHTS ROOSTERS
COWBOYS SEA EAGLES PANTHERS DRAGONS DOLPHINS SHARKS KNIGHTS ROOSTERS
STORM SEA EAGLES RABBITOHS DRAGONS BRONCOS WARRIORS TITANS RAIDERS
STORM SEA EAGLES RABBITOHS DRAGONS BRONCOS WARRIORS TITANS RAIDERS COWBOYS BULLDOGS PANTHERS DRAGONS BRONCOS SHARKS KNIGHTS ROOSTERS
STORM SEA EAGLES RABBITOHS DRAGONS BRONCOS WARRIORS TITANS RAIDERS
STORM BULLDOGS PANTHERS EELS DOLPHINS SHARKS KNIGHTS RAIDERS
STORM BULLDOGS PANTHERS DRAGONS DOLPHINS SHARKS KNIGHTS ROOSTERS
COWBOYS SEA EAGLES PANTHERS DRAGONS DOLPHINS SHARKS KNIGHTS ROOSTERS
COWBOYS BULLDOGS PANTHERS DRAGONS
DOLPHINS SHARKS KNIGHTS ROOSTERS
COWBOYS SEA EAGLES PANTHERS EELS BRONCOS SHARKS KNIGHTS ROOSTERS
STORM BULLDOGS PANTHERS DRAGONS BRONCOS SHARKS KNIGHTS ROOSTERS
COWBOYS BULLDOGS PANTHERS DRAGONS DOLPHINS SHARKS KNIGHTS RAIDERS
STORM SEA EAGLES RABBITOHS DRAGONS BRONCOS WARRIORS TITANS RAIDERS
ROOSTERS
COWBOYS BULLDOGS PANTHERS EELS BRONCOS SHARKS KNIGHTS ROOSTERS
COWBOYS BULLDOGS PANTHERS EELS BRONCOS SHARKS KNIGHTS ROOSTERS
STORM BULLDOGS PANTHERS EELS BRONCOS SHARKS KNIGHTS ROOSTERS
STORM BULLDOGS PANTHERS DRAGONS BRONCOS SHARKS KNIGHTS ROOSTERS
STORM SEA EAGLES RABBITOHS DRAGONS BRONCOS WARRIORS TITANS RAIDERS
