Extra Time June 9 2023 (Round 15 - Panthers v Roosters)

cleary hit for six

MASKED PANTHER SEE PAGE 33

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SUPERSTAR HALFBACK SIDELINED BY HAMSTRING INJURY IN CRUCIAL BLOW FOR PANTHERS, BLUES MASKED PANTHER: SEE PAGE 33

Nathan Cleary leaves the field on Sunday. Photo: NRL Images.

the final word

TROY DODDS

We had always anticipated that Penrith would be without some of their biggest names at different points during the State of Origin period. What we didn’t expect is key playmaker Nathan Cleary to go down with an injury that will not only force him out of Origin II (and probably III), but will see him miss a number of matches for the Panthers.

It’s a huge blow but like his suspension last year and his shoulder injury in 2021, it could turn out to be a blessing in disguise. A mid-season rest, especially after the exhausting World Cup campaign, probably isn’t such a bad thing in the big scheme of things.

None of that necessarily helps the here and now though and the Panthers go into Saturday night’s showdown with the Roosters at Allianz Stadium without their key man, as they desperately try to hold on to top spot on the NRL ladder.

Jack Cogger will fill Cleary’s shoes and an ironic twist of fate to have him on the bench last weekend means we’ve already had a glimpse at what he can do.

While Cogger doesn’t have the skillset of Cleary nor the game management skills, he’s a quality player with an impressive kicking game, which we saw a fair bit of against the Dragons.

The Roosters are not without their own issues heading out of Round 14, with Joseph Suaalii to miss this clash with Penrith after being hit with a Dangerous Contact charge. Amidst a heap of outside noise, Suaalii hasn’t necessarily been setting the world on fire this year but it’s still a significant loss.

I have no doubt Trent Robinson considers this Saturday night’s game as one of the most crucial of his side’s season so far.

The Roosters are not where anybody expected them to be, but getting a big scalp like Penrith could certainly put their season back on track.

And given they were on the end of a spanking at the hands of the Panthers just a month ago, perhaps it would be a good indicator of how well they’ve responded in the weeks that followed.

If Penrith somehow win big again, every Roosters fan would surely question their team’s ability to match it with the better sides and would be pondering a rare Finals miss in 2023.

The Roosters’ 25-24 victory over the Bulldogs last weekend wasn’t the most impressive of the season, but it was two competition points they desperately needed. From a players’ perspective, it was a nice confidence boost and there was some solid individual performances including from James Tedesco who responded to a week of criticism in the best way possible. Penrith’s performance against the Dragons meanwhile is hard to gauge given the loss of Cleary so early. It was a gritty win in the end, with Isaah Yeo in particular standing up

to provide the leadership needed to get the Panthers home.

I’m not expecting Penrith to dominate the Roosters as much as they did at BlueBet Stadium back on May 12. But in what will be Penrith’s first visit to the new Allianz Stadium, I think they’ll have enough firepower to win. There’s no question that Jarome Luai is an important piece of the puzzle here – he needs to provide some of the game management in the halves that Penrith will lack without Cleary. He needs to show some patience close to the line and improve his kicking game.

But if the Panthers can win the forward battle like they did in the earlier clash, I’m struggling to see a world in which the Roosters get home. The boys from Bondi will put in an improved effort, but it’s hard to see a form reversal of any great significance happening – Cleary or no Cleary.

Tip: Panthers by 10.

Jack Cogger.

Photo: NRL Images.

nrl ladder & fixtures

ROUND 15

face in the crowd

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here ’ s cheers

Seasons as a Pantherette? Eight.

Favourite food? Sushi.

Favourite TV show? Any true crime.

Favourite Panthers player? James Fisher-Harris.

Must-follow social media account? @ livingwithendometriosis__.

‘FAKE ID’ by Big & Rich, Gretchen Wilson.

NAME:

What

panther rumblings

CLEARY HIT FOR SIX BY INJURY

! Huge blow for Panthers, Blues: A devastated Nathan Cleary is likely to target Penrith’s Round 20 clash with the Dolphins in Redcliffe as his return date after suffering a hamstring injury against the Dragons last Sunday. Scans on Monday revealed Cleary would miss up to six weeks with the injury, which rules him out of Origin II and most likely the third match in Sydney as well. Ironically, it’s the third straight season that Cleary will miss a chunk of football in the middle of the year – and it certainly hasn’t harmed Penrith’s Premiership chances previously. After leaving the field on Sunday in the first half, Cleary returned to the sideline in a hoodie to watch the rest of the match unfold. Tyrone Peachey gave him plenty when Jack Cogger landed a perfect kick for Brian To’o to score on the stroke of half-time.

! Star of the show: With regular ground announcer Glen Hawke unavailable last Sunday night, Lyndal Rogers (pictured below) stepped in to handle the hosting duties at BlueBet Stadium for the clash between the Panthers and Dragons. She was brilliant and the fans immediately warmed to her – sparking calls for the radio announcer to be a regular home game fixture. Since the departure of Scott McRae a few years ago, the Panthers have attempted a more corporate approach with its ground announcers in the shape of Zac Bailey and Hawke. Neither have completely won over the fans. Rogers was a breath of fresh air.

UFC star Tyson Pedro jumped on the bar at half-time, apologised and shouted everyone a round of beers.

! Sponsor withdraws comment: One NZ CEO Jason Paris has agreed to withdraw his comments regarding the integrity of NRL referees and match officials in the wake of the Warriors v Panthers match back in Round 10. The Warriors sponsor was in hot water following his comments, which raised significant concerns at the NRL. Last week, he backtracked. “I unreservedly apologise for the comments I made about NRL match officials,” Paris said in a statement. “NRL referees are not cheats and are not biased. They go to work every week and do a tough job so that we get to enjoy the greatest game. Impugning their professionalism was a mistake. People can watch a game of footy and legitimately question the decision-making, but questioning the integrity of officials is unacceptable.”

! A united front: If you ever wanted an example of Penrith’s strong culture, you only had to watch how the run-off to half-time went down last Sunday night. In his club debut, replacement halfback Jack Cogger was picked out by Fox Sports for a quick interview after the half-time siren. The entire team waited for Cogger to finish the interview so they could run off together. It’s the little things that count.

! Spotted: Panthers and Blues centre Stephen Crichton swamped by fans when arriving at BlueBet Stadium last Sunday (pictured below). His upcoming departure to the Bulldogs has done little to hinder the love supporters have for him.

! Cogger in line for extension: Even before his unexpected club debut on Sunday night, the Panthers were looking at extending the contract of back-up halfback Jack Cogger. The club knows it needs a legitimate fill-in for Nathan Cleary given his regular representative commitments. Cogger is only contracted for this season but is a certainty to get himself a new deal.

that the song kept playing for several minutes while medical staff worked on De Belin.

! Pedro’s shout: A drama with the TV connection at Penrith’s Drink West last Wednesday night meant a big crowd on deck to watch the State of Origin series opener was about to be bitterly disappointed. Thankfully, it was quickly resolved thanks to a laptop and a 9NOW stream. To make up for the mishap,

! Awkward song choice: It didn’t go unnoticed that the Panthers played ‘I Like To Move It’ during a lengthy break in play last Sunday night while Dragons forward Jack De Belin was motionless on the ground after being knocked out. An innocent mistake, but pretty ordinary

! Radio waves: As the NRL season heats up, it’s no surprise to see the rugby league stations doing well in the latest radio ratings. 2GB, ABC and Triple M all either held their audience steady or increased it on weekends in the latest survey. 2GB remains the market leader, and experienced a slight increase on weekends in the latest ratings – a win for the Continuous Call Team.

! Share a story: If you’ve spotted a player or have some news to share, email maskedpanther@westernweekender.com.au.

Nathan Cleary. Photo: NRL Images.

RISING STAR TURUVA KEEPS HIS FOCUS

here wouldn’t be many players safer under the high ball this season than popular Panthers winger Sunia Turuva.

Despite being one of the shortest wingers in the competition at 181cm tall, the 20-year-old has nailed just about every high kick that’s come his way in an impressive display of guts and determination.

The smiling Fijian – who just notched up his 15th game in the NRL – said his heroics all come down to practicing alongside some of the world’s best at training.

“You see, me and Bizza (Brian To’o), we’re not the tallest wingers – we’re probably the two shortest in the comp – but we do plenty of practice at training,” Turuva told Extra Time

“We get plenty of practice under Nath [Cleary] and Kurt Falls. They send their floaters and torpedoes at us, so it’s good.”

Before Turuva found a home on Penrith’s lethal left edge this season, he came through the Panthers system as a fullback.

Last year, wearing the number one jersey, he helped Penrith to a Premiership in the NSW Cup competition and starred for Fiji at the Rugby League World Cup in England.

Turuva said his former life as a fullback and learning off teammate and Clive Churchill Medallist Dylan Edwards can also be attributed to his solid form under the high ball.

“Playing fullback in the past means I’ve had plenty of practice under the high ball,” he admitted.

“Me and Brian, we also see what Dyl does on a daily basis – just staying focused and keeping an eye on the ball.

At the end of the day, it all comes down to execution.”

When asked what it was like catching a towering bomb under pressure with the defence rushing at you and the crowd screaming at the top of their lungs, Turuva said his goal is to always remain as focused as possible.

“When the ball goes up, I don’t think I really hear the crowd because I’m pretty much just zoned in,” he said.

“I try to keep my focus on the ball as much as possible because, if I look up and see the defender, I think that’s when I would lose track. I guess that’s when mistakes come in.

“I just have to narrow my focus pretty much.” Debuting in 2022 and playing three games, Turuva has been one of the shining lights in another outstanding season so far for the

defending Premiers. Set to begin the year in reserve grade, Turuva earned a place in Ivan Cleary’s Round 1 team earlier this season following the unfortunate injury to fellow winger Taylan May in the World Club Challenge. Since then, the Berala Bears junior has played in every single match, crossing the line on six occasions.

While everything appears rosy for Turuva out on the field, he admits life in the NRL has had its challenges.

“I remember I was talking to Ivan during those first couple of weeks, after back-to-back games, and my body was so sore,” Turuva revealed.

“In the NRL, you’re coming up against the best players each week, mobile packs and that sort of stuff, and my body wasn’t used to being that sore.

“Ivan still checks in on me regularly on how my body is feeling, and the bye weeks have helped heaps – just getting away, getting plenty of recovery time in. He pretty much just checks in on how I am, making sure I don’t fall away.”

Unless his form dramatically deteriorates during the second half of the season, it’s a safe bet that Penrith and rugby league fans in general will be seeing a lot more of Turuva as the club’s quest for third straight title continues.

Turuva said if he can continue working on his combinations and focusing on what’s important, he’ll be an even better player by year’s end.

“I don’t want to drop from here – that’s the last thing I want,” Turuva admitted.

“Coming into the second half of the season, the main focus is to play some consistent NRL and not drop from here.”

Sunia Turuva and Izack Tago celebrate.

Panthers winger Sunia Turuva scores against the Dragons. Photo: NRL Images.

Sunia Turuva leaping in the air as he catches another towering bomb. Photo: NRL Images.

NATHAN TAYLOR

After a stunning club debut last weekend, Panthers players have thrown their support behind back-up halfback Jack Cogger while skipper Nathan Cleary remains sidelined with a hamstring injury. Cogger, who joined Penrith this season following a stint in the UK Super League, was thrust into the spotlight last Sunday evening after the NSW Blues halfback tore his hamstring 15 minutes into the first half.

The following morning scans revealed the extent of Cleary’s troublesome hamstring, ruling him out for up to six weeks.

Panthers interchange prop Lindsay Smith said Cleary’s diagnosis was “devastating news”.

“He’s a massive part of the side and one of the best players in the competition, so it’s never good news but we’ve been there before,” the 23-year-old told Extra Time

“Last year, at the back end of the season, Sully (Sean O’Sullivan) was there and now it’s Coggs filling in that role this year.

“We’ve got a lot of faith in Coggs to do this role. As long as we’re positive, we’ll be alright.”

Cogger, who played with Newcastle and Canterbury before spending two seasons abroad, produced a professional performance in his Panthers debut, which saw the home side run out 26-18 winners.

The 25-year-old playmaker kicked well throughout the contest and even laid on a spectacular try assist for winger Brian To’o late in the first half.

“I thought he did an outstanding job,” Smith said of Cogger’s performance.

“Starting the game on the bench, he was most probably thinking he’d come on at hooker or in the middle at some stage, but to be thrown into the hardest position on the field, I think he did an outstanding job, and I can’t wait to see what he does

this weekend with a full week of preparation under his belt.”

On Tuesday afternoon, Panthers coach Ivan Cleary confirmed Cogger would replace his son in the halves for the foreseeable future.

Smith said he’s looking forward to seeing Cogger steer the team around alongside Jarome Luai, Isaah Yeo and Dylan Edwards.

“Obviously with Nath going down last Sunday, it gave Yeoy a chance to take on more responsibility around our attack and structure,” he said.

“I don’t think Coggs has got to play like Nathan – there’s not many people like Nathan out there – but I think with a mixture of Yeoy and Coggs and Romey and Dyl chiming in there, they’ll do a great job together.”

Cogger will wear the famous Panthers number seven jersey for the first time this Saturday night when the competition leaders travel to the all-new Allianz Stadium to face the Sydney Roosters.

After back-toback losses in April, Smith said the club is in good shape as they aim for their fifth consecutive win.

“There’s a good vibe around the club… winning helps a lot,” he said.

“It was most probably that Roosters game at home a month ago that really started that winning streak. I know we had the Warriors before that, but the Roosters game was probably our best performance.

“We know the Roosters are going to be a strong and different side to what they were that week, but I think we’ll be well prepared for that, and we can keep it going.”

Lindsay Smith is having a strong year for Penrith. Photo: NRL Images.

NATHAN TAYLOR

SPENCER LENIU

POSITION: PROP | NRL DEBUT: AUGUST 2019 (V SHARKS)

WEIGHT: 110KGS |

HEIGHT: 183CM |

DOB: 08/09/00 |

Panthers CEO of Rugby League Matt Cameron told me recently; “I’m trying to keep Penrith from making other teams better”.

How sides do that is by signing players in the Panthers’ system, particularly in the first grade side. Although, Dolphins half and young gun Isaiya Katoa is a classic example of a player who showed enormous potential and one Penrith were desperate to keep.

It’s scary when you sit down and collate just how many good players (some great) have left the Panthers over the last five years alone.

During those five years the side has finished; 2018 (semi-finalist), 2019 (10th), 2020 (Grand Final runner-up), 2021 (Premiers), and 2022 (Premiers). As you can see, apart from 2019, every other year has seen a successful season for the club.

Success unfortunately also means that a player’s value increases exponentially if they’re in a consistently winning first grade side. Even if their contribution is not always considerably note-worthy.

To not get too silly about it, I decided to put together a starting 13 NRL team from all the players who have left or been let go by Penrith only since 2018.

The side looks something like this:

9.

J’maine Hopgood. Other noteworthy players I couldn’t fit in were Wayde Egan, Waqa Blake, Jed Cartwright and Robert Jennings.

Now while the side I put together above probably wouldn’t win any premierships, it’s hard

to deny it could hold its own against most sides in the NRL competition this year.

I didn’t even bother to include Tevita Pangai Junior, who played just six matches with Penrith in 2021 as he really was only ever a loan player.

Now let’s dissect the team I put together a little bit more.

Matt Burton and Api Koroisau are current Origin players, Viliame Kikau (when fit) is one of the most damaging second-rowers in the game, J’maine Hopgood is perhaps the Eels’ most consistent forward while Reagan Campbell-Gillard would probably have played Origin this year if not for injury.

There are a couple of players perhaps lucky to make my starting 13 but every single player in the team I put together has played first grade this season.

What’s scary for other teams is that despite Penrith haemorrhaging not only topline players over the last five years but also many promising juniors, is that the Panthers are still a top four side and show no signs of being less competitive over the next few years at least, if not longer. It’s a reflection of not only all the good work Matt Cameron is doing but the entire set-up at the Panthers.

Something all NRL clubs would love to have.

analysis WW51023

1. Daine Laurie 2. Charlie Staines 3. Brent Naden 4. Paul Momirovski 5. Dallin WateneZelezniak 6. Matt Burton 7. Sean O’Sullivan 8. Jack Hetherington

Apisai Koroisau 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Kurt Capewell 13.

Dolphins half Isaiya Katoa is a Panthers junior. Photo: NRL Images.

with Peter Lang

MILESTONE WE’RE ALL CHEERING

Any rugby league fan with half a heart has been willing Jarrod Croker towards game 300. On Friday evening he gets there.

He was on target to reach the goal at Campbelltown last week, but the Raiders were very public in resting their club legend so it would happen at home instead.

Of course, the stage-managed milestone has divided opinion –sentimentalists on one side led by the Raiders’ hierarchy, and ‘muppets’ on the other, as referred to by Canberra coach Ricky Stuart.

Kermit and Miss Piggy raised their eyebrows at risking premiership points for a milestone, criticised a precedent the Raiders may not be able to maintain, and stressed the club and game is bigger than any individual.

Stuart’s argument is mapped out below.

Croker becomes the 48th man into the NRL 300 club.

He’s only the 16th man to do it at one club.

Only one Raider has done it previously – Jason Croker in 2006.

“Everyone thinks he’s my Dad,” Jarrod said this week. “We’re just distant cousins somehow.”

Apart from those figures above, he’s already the club’s leading try scorer (135), goal kicker (888) and point scorer (2316).

No one has captained the Raiders more than Jarrod (162), not even the immortal Mal Meninga who is next best (123). Given his debut by David Furner, Croker has become an affable, measured, contrasting, close confidant to his passionate and emotional current coach over the last 10 years.

After winning an Under 20’s Premiership at Canberra in 2008, Croker played 279 games out of a possible 298 over the next 12 NRL seasons. A long way from the fastest, flashiest, strongest, loudest and best player in the league, the clean skin of the game, camouflaged by headgear, just got the job done.

hidden panther

His six Finals campaigns are highlighted by the 2019 Grand Final. Then knee and shoulder injuries threatened to end it all. You know you’re in trouble when the shoulder pops out reaching for the television remote. Many tears were shed. His coach asked him, is it time to give it away?

But the boy who started kicking a football in Goulburn had an ego under such control he was not afraid to play NSW Cup because he loved the game too much to quit. He played only 12 NRL games in 2021 and just one last year. This season, the first five weeks were spent in reserves and the Raiders NRL team languished near the bottom. Then in Round 7, Ricky Stuart’s Raiders included the name J Croker again. The countdown to what seemed an impossible 300 was on. 293, 294, 295… and most of them wins. The Green Machine has only been beaten once since Croker returned this season. And so to game 300, in front of a huge crowd, at home, watched by family and friends, following a Viking Clap that will shake Parliament House. Just the way it should be!

To complete the fairytale Canberra needs to beat the Warriors – a club Croker has scored more tries and points against them than any other.

Canberra’s Jarrod Croker. Photo: NRL Images.

lower grades

CUP, FLEGG SIDES PRODUCE WINS

The Penrith Panthers have claimed their fourth straight win in the Knock-On Effect NSW Cup, holding off St George-Illawarra 30-10 at BlueBet Stadium.

After avoiding conceding a try within two minutes thanks to an obstruction, the Panthers were first on the board, with Liam Henry crashing over next to the posts.

The Dragons hit back shortly after with Dylan Egan beating the Panthers’ right-edge defence to score. Alexander Lobb converted to level the scores at 6-all.

lower grades report

It only took the Panthers three minutes to take back the lead, capitalising on a Dragons error to score in the corner through Tom Jenkins.

They made it 14-6 in the 24th minute when Tyrone Peachey flung an offload to Jesse McLean after attempting to go solo, before a try to Sione Finau cut the lead to 14-10 at half-time.

The Panthers got the second half off to the perfect start, scoring twice in eight minutes as Chris Smith and Isaiah Iongi pushed the lead beyond two converted tries.

Jenkins scored his second in the final five minutes after a stop-start second half, wrapping up the 30-10 result.

The Jersey Flegg Panthers started the day on the right note, beating the Dragons 28-12.

A dominant defensive start paid off for the Panthers, forcing several errors before Sam Lane scored in the 13th minute. Ryley Smith converted for a 6-0 lead.

The aggressive strategy worked again in the 22nd minute when Zac Lipowicz surged over under the posts. Despite hitting the

upright, Smith again converted to push the lead to 12, where it remained at half-time.

After several defensive sets to start the second half, the Panthers were rewarded down the other end when a bomb by debutant Luke Hanson was knocked straight to Luron Patea to score their third of the afternoon.

They made it back-to-back tries when a grubber bounced perfectly for Harrison Hassett.

Peter Taateo got on the scoresheet in the final 10 minutes, sandwiched between a pair of consolation tries by Campbell Watchirs.

In Round 15, both grades travel to Wentworth Park on Sunday afternoon to face the Roosters.

Soni Luke played NSW Cup for Penrith last weekend.

Photo: NRL Images.

TITANS RAIDERS

SEA EAGLES RABBITOHS BRONCOS PANTHERS

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