Extra Time August 23

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Panthers coach Ivan Cleary. Photo: Megan Dunn

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CRISIS POINT PANTHERS FACE DO - OR-DIE ENCOUNTER WITH COWBOYS MASKED PANTHER > P36 Merv Cartwright Medal on the move plus a coaching shake-up

ONE HIT WONDERS > P45 We look back at those who had short-lived tenures at the Panthers

EXTRA MINUTES > P46 State of Origin confirms 2020 schedule and match in Adelaide

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Friday, August 23, 2019 « the western weekender

THE FINAL WORD

v

FRIDAY, AUGUST 23 • 6PM | 1300SMILES STADIUM | REFEREES: MATT CECCHIN & PHIL HENDERSON

PANTHERS 1

Dylan Edwards

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

Stephen Crichton Dean Whare Brent Naden Brian To’o James Maloney Nathan Cleary James Tamou (c) Mitchell Kenny James Fisher-Harris Viliame Kikau Liam Martin Isaah Yeo Jarome Luai Spencer Leniu Moses Leota Reagan Campbell-Gillard Wayde Egan 19 Will Burns

the western weekender • extra time » Friday, August 23, 2019

MATCH PREVIEW

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FOX LEAGUE

TRIPLE M James Maloney in action against the Broncos. Photo: NRL Photos

TROY

DODDS With three games to go in the regular season, the Penrith Panthers find themselves exactly where the statistics tell us they deserve to be: outside of the top eight.

An impressive winning streak midseason may have revived Penrith’s Finals hopes, but in the end the numbers speak for themselves.

This Penrith side has scored just 343 points this season. To put it into context, that’s just a solitary point more than the last- placed Gold Coast Titans. They’ve missed 845 tackles this year, more than any team in the competition, and have conceded a competition- high 164 penalties.

James Maloney has missed more tackles

than anybody else in the NRL. Nobody has made more handling errors than Dylan Edwards. Josh Mansour has made 31 errors, the second worst in the competition.

Eventually, the numbers just have to catch you out.

Maloney, Edwards and Mansour are experienced NRL players with plenty of highlights littering their careers, but to put it as simply as possible, it just hasn’t clicked in 2019.

The mid- season re- build ordered by coach Ivan Cleary – which included farewelling the likes of Waqa Blake and Dallin Watene- Zelezniak – saw some exciting youth come through, but with youth comes inconsistency, which can only be improved with more game time and matches under their belts.

In short, Penrith’s season has become a horror combination of experienced play-

ers not delivering and inexperienced ones showing their, to use Ivan Cleary’s word, immaturity.

The Panthers have a chance to keep their season alive when they take on a North Queensland side that was expected to fire this year but will miss the Finals for a second consecutive season.

While Paul Green’s side was humiliated by the Knights last weekend, they’ll be a much tougher prospect at home, but are vulnerable with Jason Taumalolo likely to miss another week with a foot injury.

For Penrith the equation is simple, win two of the final three games and there’s a pretty good chance you’ll play Finals football. Win all three and you should definitely be there.

Given the Panthers play the red- hot Roosters at the SCG next week, you don’t have to be a genius to work out that this is very much the last shot at Finals football

1

Scott Drinkwater

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

Kyle Feldt Jordan Kahu Tom Opacic Murray Taulai Michael Morgan (c) Jake Clifford Scott Bolton Jake Granville Jordan McLean Gavin Cooper Shane Wright John Asiata Reuben Cotter Coen Hess Peter Hola Francis Molo

for Cleary’s side. Lose this and the players can visit the travel agent first thing Saturday morning.

The Panthers didn’t respect Brisbane enough last Friday night. They tried to go around them rather than do the hard work through the middle, and didn’t trust each other enough in defence. Despite having 50 per cent of the ball, Penrith only completed 70 per cent of their sets and missed 50 tackles. Produce those sort of numbers again and Penrith will most likely be leaving Townsville without the competition points.

Improving on those numbers is easier said than done but Penrith must find a way. Each individual needs to find 10 per cent more in their game – one less error, one less missed tackle, one more run. 10 per cent more heart, too.

Everything is on the line here.

Tip: Panthers by 10.

35

Friday, August 23, 2019 « the western weekender • extra time

PANTHER RUMBLINGS

with the Masked Panther

MAD MONDAY  This year’s Merv Cartwright Medal

event is on the move. The club’s annual presentation night is moving inside Panthers to the EVAN Theatre, and has been switched to a Monday night (September 16). In the past few years the event has been held on Wednesday evenings at the Panthers Exhibition Marquee. You can’t read too much into the date as the event has been moved around considerably over the years.

Matt Burton has signed a new deal with Penrith.

Photo: Megan Dunn

 There’s rumours swirling around

that the Panthers could make a play for Melbourne Storm prop Christian Welch, especially if Reagan Campbell-Gillard is moved on at the end of the season. The Daily Telegraph reported last week that 25-year-old Welch was himself a target of the Eels prior to suffering a recent ACL injury.

 Scoop confirmed: I told you last week

that Trent Barrett was likely to re-join the Panthers as an assistant coach to Ivan Cleary next year. It’s since been widely reported that Barrett and Cleary have settled any past differences and that the former Manly coach will definitely be headed back to the foot of the Mountains next year.

 Despite doing a good job as Penrith’s

Canterbury Cup coach over the last few years, the drums are beating that Guy Missio will be replaced as reserve grade coach in 2020. Rumour is the position will go to a former Panthers player who the club has a high opinion of and believes will develop into a very good coach. No word on what will happen to Missio.

Watch this space.

 Youngster Matt Burton, who made his

NRL debut to much fanfare against the Sharks a fortnight ago, has signed a twoyear contract extension with the Panthers. The new deal will ensure there’s plenty of competition for halves spots next year with Nathan Cleary, Jarome Luai and Burton all of NRL standard.

Expect Cleary and Luai to start the season in the halves next year with Burton the most obvious back-up. Of course, Pen-

rith’s forgotten man, Tyrone May, could also be in the mix, pending the outcome of his court case.

 An inspiring documentary about

Panthers on the Prowl and Kokoda will have its red carpet premiere at the EVAN Theatre this Sunday, August 25 at 6pm.

The event is free to attend and everyone is welcome. The documentary ‘Kokoda: Walking With Legends’ was made by Daniel Meyer and follows Major Charlie Lynn, Brad Waugh and Royce Simmons with seven local high schools students and their mentors as they take on Kokoda. I’m told it is a stunning and inspiring film.

Every Panthers fan should see it – it’ll open your eyes to the tremendous work Panthers on the Prowl is doing too.

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We understand that Panthers winger Josh Mansour has put his beautiful Leonay home on the market, after moving to the area less than a year ago. It might not mean much, but it certainly poses a few interesting questions.



Bad news for Jed Cartwright with the rookie suffering a shoulder injury that will rule him out for the rest of the 2019 season. Cartwright made his NRL debut this year and is expected to play more top grade footy next season.

 Talking of the Cartwrights, it was great

to see Panthers legend John Cartwright sit down with Andrew Voss on ‘The Fan’ on Fox League on Tuesday night to talk about his illustrious NRL career.

 I mentioned earlier this year that there

would likely only be 10 games at Panthers Stadium next year, with the club to host a Magic Round game at Suncorp Stadium, as well as the usual trip to Bathurst. I’m now told that the club may not be hosting a Magic Round game after all, meaning the usual 11 games at Panthers Stadium is back on the agenda. Certainly the club is selling ‘11 home games’ to corporate partners for next year.

 Nathan Brown’s departure from the

Newcastle Knights opens the door for Anthony Griffin to potentially return to an NRL coaching role. I’m confident ‘Hook’ will be amongst the contenders for the vacant position in the Hunter, but probably not the favourite.

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the western weekender • extra time » Friday, August 23, 2019

FEATURE

ROOKIE WANTS FINALS FINISH NATHAN

TAYLOR Panthers backrower Liam Martin says he’s still hungry to reach the NRL Finals in his rookie season despite his side being on the ropes.

If Penrith lose tonight’s important clash against the embattled Cowboys in Townsville, it’s highly likely they’ll miss playing Finals footy for the first time in four years.

Desperate to stop that from happening, 22-year-old Martin, who is still licking his wounds following Penrith’s 24- 12 loss to the Broncos last week, said it was important to get things right over the final three weeks of the regular season.

“It was extremely disappointing [last week] because we knew how important that game was and we weren’t where we needed to be,” he admitted.

“We weren’t playing our style of footy, we were making errors and missing tackles.”

Penrith’s 12-point loss to Brisbane prob-

ably didn’t surprise many Panthers fans, who have had to endure a rollercoaster ride of performances all year.

With so much on the line against the Broncos, Martin admits he and his teammates likely panicked at the enormity of the task at hand.

“You’d like to say that pressure didn’t come into it but it probably plays on your mind a little bit,” he said.

“We just needed to flush that and get on with the game, which we couldn’t do.”

Penrith still have a chance of playing deep into September but they needed to beat the 15th placed Cowboys tonight to help make that happen.

North Queensland are in the midst of one of their worst seasons in decades and are staring down the barrel of six straight losses. Despite all the Cowboys’ troubles in 2019, Martin knows his side have well and truly had their fair share this season as well.

“The hunger is definitely still there for us, we know how important this game is and it’s driving us all,” he said.

Liam Martin is confident the Panthers can still make the Finals. Photo: Megan Dunn “The Cowboys will come ready to fire especially in front of their home crowd.

They will want to end the year with a bang and try and upset as many teams as possible leading into the Finals.

“I’ve never played up in Townsville before, it’ll be a massive game I reckon.”

Penrith beat the Cowboys in Townsville last season but this is the first time the sides will meet in 2019.

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Friday, August 23, 2019 « the western weekender • extra time

FEATURE Nathan Cleary speaking with the media on Monday afternoon.

Photo: Megan Dunn

ALL ON THE LINE PANTHERS MUST DELIVER AGAINST COWBOYS NATHAN

TAYLOR

38

Panthers star halfback Nathan Cleary has labelled tonight’s must-win clash against the North Queensland Cowboys as their Grand Final come early.

If Penrith manage to defeat the lowly Cowboys in Townsville and the outof- form Rabbitohs bounce back over Brisbane in the later game, the Panthers will be back in the top eight with just two matches of the home- and- away season remaining.

Speaking with the media on Monday, 21- year- old Cleary said his side need to bring their A- game in tonight’s do- or- die clash.

“It’s pretty much like a Grand Final week for us but, in saying that, the last two weeks we’ve been preparing like that,” he said.

“That’s what was so disappointing about last week’s loss to the Broncos – we prepared really well and knew it was a game we needed to win but let it slip.

“We’re in a tough position now and obviously it’s a must-win game.”

While Panthers supporters are busy fiddling with the NRL’s Ladder Predictor trying to get their side into a fourth straight Finals, players are having none of that, preferring to focus on what only they can control.

“WE’RE IN A TOUGH POSITION NOW AND OBVIOUSLY IT’S A MUST-WIN GAME”

“Our destiny is in our own hands and has been for a couple of weeks,” Cleary said.

“The idea is to go in and win games and that’s what we need to do especially in the position we are in at the moment – with not a very good for and against – it doesn’t matter what other teams do around us, we just need to focus on ourselves and play better footy.”

Penrith could receive a huge boost tonight with both Jarome Luai and Wayde Egan named on Tuesday to return from injury.

Both players, who were spotted training this week, have missed the last two games with a banged- up eye and sore shoulder respectively. Cleary said he’s excited to see both players back in the side.

“They should both be fit for Friday, which will be good for us,” he said.

“It’s good to have men back on deck, especially two players like that who are versatile and bring a bit of x-factor.”

A defining round where anything is possible

ANDY RAYMOND T

rying to get a form line heading into Round 23 of the NRL is like trying to pick a broken nose!

With two wins separating positions seven to 12 on the ladder and three teams fighting it out for the final spot in the top four, literally every game this weekend has an impact on the Finals.

The round kicks off with the Eels trying to keep their top four hopes alive against arguably the form side of the competition, the Bulldogs, who have won their last three games.

A win for the Eels keeps them right on the heels of the fourth-placed Sea Eagles, a loss and they face an elimination final in week one of the Finals.

The Panthers had a chance to cement their spot in the top eight last weekend, but failed miserably against the Broncos and now face a season- defining clash against the Cowboys this week.

Speaking of the Broncos, they face a Wayne Bennett- inspired Rabbitohs side, a win for the Broncos all but secures their spot in the top eight, while a loss for the Rabbitohs all but snuffs out their hopes of making the top four.

The Broncos could potentially secure a Finals spot with a win. Photo: NRL Photos In a twist or irony that only the NRL can throw up, Shaun Johnson has the chance to end the Warriors’ season when he leads the Sharks against his former side on Saturday.

If Johnson can spark the Sharks into action and get his side the win it will also do wonders for their Finals aspirations.

The Wests Tigers and Newcastle Knights face- off in the Do- Or- Die Cup at Camp-

belltown, with the winner of the match getting out the calculator and crunching the Finals sums, with the loser to start planning Mad Monday.

The Storm’s loss to the Raiders last weekend has kept the Roosters’ Minor Premiership hopes alive and you can guarantee that the tri-colours will be gunning to keep the pressure on Melbourne with a big win over the Dragons.

Craig Bellamy’s men don’t make a habit of losing back- to- back games and will know that a win over the Titans will all but secure them the J.J. Giltinan Shield.

Round 23 wraps up with a top four shoot- out between the Raiders and Sea Eagles, that could very well prove to be a Preliminary Final preview.

The Raiders were outstanding against the Storm and proved that they’re a genuine premiership contender, while the Sea Eagles have proven time and time again that they’re the real deal in 2019.

I have no doubt that Round 23 will be an incredible round on the field, but will be an absolute nightmare for tipsters… good luck trying to pick the broken nose this weekend!

the western weekender • extra time » Friday, August 23, 2019

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Friday, August 23, 2019 « the western weekender

Race is on to be named game’s top player

CLINTON MAYNARD dates for this year’s title. The problem for Roosters players is they need to share the 3- 2- 1 points during each win. Nevertheless the Roosters have a big contender in James Tedesco. While Wests Tigers fans hate the sight of the fullback wearing red, white and blue there’s no question he has taken his game to a new level surrounded by superstars like Cooper Cronk, they’ve made him a better player.

If we didn’t realise Tom Trbojevic was a top liner in 2018 we certainly do in 2019.

Along with Des Hasler the fullback is the biggest reason for Manly’s remarkable revival. He might well be the most influential player in the game this season but given he spent much of the first half of the year on the sidelines, winning the Dally M might be a bridge too far this season.

The Raiders are genuine contenders this year and the man behind the charge towards the Finals is English hooker Josh Hodgson. He’s taken his game to a new level this year, he kicks, tackles, strips the ball and runs the team, not much he can’t do.

Melbourne’s Cameron Munster has been brilliant however the favourite

Is Cameron Smith headed towards the Dally M? Photo: NRL Photos for the medal this year may well be the second oldest man playing the game, the man who has played more NRL matches than anyone else, Cameron Smith. While there’s been plenty of controversy about

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ho has been the most influential player in rugby league this season? Strangely the player of the season is decided after the 25 regular rounds with the Dally M Medal awarded before the Premiers have been decided. It’s curious timing given an individual could dominate September to lead their club to the title however given those rules have been set in stone, with just a few rounds left it’s time to look at the contenders.

New Zealand Warriors captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck won last year’s award. RTS flies under the radar as he’s playing across the ditch, however watch any Warriors game and it’s clear he is head and shoulders above the rest of his teammates.

While New Zealand will miss out on the Finals this season, RTS can’t be ruled out.

Mitchell Pearce was leading the count before voting went behind closed doors, but that was also the point when Newcastle lost form and began losing games.

Damian Cook was also high in the count but the plight of Souths in recent weeks will also count against him.

The Roosters could supply several candi-

the western weekender • extra time » Friday, August 23, 2019

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43

Friday, August 23, 2019 « the western weekender • extra time

NRL LADDER AND FIXTURES PD

W

D

L

B

F

Storm

21

17

0

4

1

547

270 +277 36

2 Roosters

21

15

0

6

1

561

329 +232 32

3 Raiders

21

14

0

7

1

475

318

+157 30

4 Sea Eagles

21

13

0

8

1

456

364

+92 28

5 Rabbitohs

21

13

0

8

1

452

377

+75

28

6 Eels

21

13

0

8

1

479

428

+51

28

7 Broncos

21 10

1

10

1

381

421

-40

23

8 Sharks

21 10

0

11

1

433

425

+8

22

9 Panthers

21 10

0

11

1

343

418

-75

22

10 Knights

21

9

0

12

1

433

418

+15

20

11 W. Tigers

21

9

0

12

1

379

443

-64 20

12 Warriors

21

8

1

12

1

383

481

-98

13 Bulldogs

21

8

0

13

1

276

442

-166 18

14 Dragons

21

7

0

14

1

377

483 -106 16

15 Cowboys

21

7

0

14

1

323

458

16 Titans

21

4

0

17

1

342

565 -223 10

CLUB

1

A

+/-

PTS

19

-135 16

Round 23

/ / / / / / / /

FACE IN THE CROWD

Thursday, August 22 7.50pm Bankwest Stadium Friday, August 23 6pm 1300Smiles Stadium Friday, August 23 7.55pm Suncorp Stadium Saturday, August 24 3pm PointsBet Stadium Saturday, August 24 5.30pm Campbelltown Stadium Saturday, August 24 7.35pm Jubilee Oval Sunday, August 25 2pm AAMI Park

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Ben McFadgean An exciting winger who was a Penrith junior, Ben McFadgean reached the heights of NRL football in 2009 when he debuted for the Panthers in Round 18 against South Sydney. The Penrith backline that day was Jarrod Sammut, McFadgean, Geoff Daniela, Brad Tighe and Junior Tia- Kilifi. Unfortunately Penrith were down 20- 0 at half- time and lost 36- 12. McFadgean wouldn’t play first grade again, leaving his NRL career at a solitary match.

Kierran Moseley A Queensland talent considered one of the game’s next big things, Moseley was a star in Penrith’s junior system and finally was handed his first grade debut by coach Ivan Cleary in 2014. It was round 25 against Manly and the Panthers lost 26-25 in a thriller. Moseley would go on to join the Gold Coast Titans in 2015, playing 20 first grade games across two seasons before his NRL career came to an end. He remains on a long list of Panthers players to have only worn the famed jersey once.

ANZAC Day jersey It was only worn once, but Penrith’s ANZAC Day jersey in 2015 became an iconic piece of merchandise for the club.

Worn against Cronulla on Sunday, April 26, primary sponsor OAK along with HERTZ Australia, ASICS, HostPlus and

SCOREBOARD NRL

BRONCOS 24 PANTHERS 12

NSW CUP

PANTHERS 24 MAGPIES 18

JERSEY FLEGG TIGERS 34 PANTHERS 6 Kierran Moseley in action Lion Nathan all agreed to step down from the jersey and shorts in honour of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, as rugby league remembered the 100th anniversary of the ANZAC landings at Gallipoli. While the jersey was only worn once, it’s still seen regularly as the jumper of choice for Penrith fans at home and away matches.

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In this week’s Extra Time flashback, we’re looking back at some of the ‘one hit wonders’ in Penrith’s history. That’s not to say they didn’t enjoy success outside of the NRL or at other clubs, but here’s our favourite ‘one time only’ Panther stories...

Graham Rogers Graham ‘Buck’ Rogers has been involved in rugby league for more than 40 years. His mother, Dot Rogers, was one of the pioneers of rugby league, particularly when it comes to the female game. Rogers fits into our ‘One Hit Wonder’ category as he’s credited as coaching just one NRL game for the Panthers. It was back in 1992, on August 29, when Penrith played the Gold Coast Seagulls. The Panthers lost the match 12-8.

Joe Williams Joe Williams started his NRL career in 2004 with South Sydney, playing 46 games with the club before heading over to Penrith at the end of the 2007 season. A Cowra junior, the halfback was named for Penrith’s opening game of the 2008 season against the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium. The Panthers lost 48-12, with Williams kicking two goals.

Williams would never play for Penrith again, leaving his tally at one match. He would join the Bulldogs later in the 2008 season.

the western weekender • extra time » Friday, August 23, 2019

Panther Flashback

BEHIND THE PANTHERS

SPRING IS COMING!

Keegan Blunt

Football Analyst / IT Guru HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED FOR PANTHERS? Three years in my current role.

WHAT’S THE BEST THING ABOUT WORKING FOR PANTHERS? Flying the drone in high winds. I like to live dangerously.

WHO IS YOUR FUNNIEST COLLEAGUE AT PANTHERS? The queen of catering Maria Veltsevski.

Originally started in 1980, Kingswood Florist has been located on the Great Western Highway in Kingswood for over 30 years.

Conveniently located five minutes out of the Penrith CBD, we are next to Nepean Hospital and opposite Kingswood Train StaƟon.

We specialise in floral design and balloon decor styling in store and on site.

We sell design and deliver fresh, quality flowers locally, naƟonally and internaƟonally and believe that flowers radiate emoƟon for all occasions and it speaks volumes where words fail.

kingswoodflorist@gmail.com facebook.com/pg/kingswoodfloristandcreaƟveballoons Shop 1, 202 Great Western Highway, Kingswood Phone: 4731 5512

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Friday, August 23, 2019 « the western weekender • extra time

EXTRA MINUTES  The schedule for the 2020 State of

Origin series has been confirmed with Adelaide to host the opening match on Wednesday, June 3. Sydney’s ANZ Stadium will host the second game on Sunday, June 21 while Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane gets the third and potentially deciding game on Wednesday, July 8.

ARLC Chairman Peter Beattie visited Adelaide Oval during the week to promote next year’s series, alongside South Australian Premier Steven Marshall, as well as Queensland Maroons Coach Kevin Walters. Blues coach Brad Fittler was due to be there but flight delays out of Sydney saw him cancel the trip.

 The Sydney Roosters have announced

that Mitchell Aubusson has signed an extension which will keep him at the foundation club until the end of 2020.

“My heart is with the Sydney Roosters.

I’m a Rooster through and through, and everyone who’s a part of this club means the world to me,” Aubusson said this week. “There’s a strong bond among the group here, and I’m really proud to know that I’ll have the honour of wearing the Roosters jersey for another year.”

 Huawei Australia is partnering with

the Canberra Raiders and Deaf Australia

to attempt to break a World Record at the Raiders v Manly Sea Eagles game this Sunday in Canberra. Prior to the special Charity Round game the Raiders match day staff will help to facilitate the expected 20,000 strong crowd to do a coordinated signing of ‘We are Huawei Raiders’ using Auslan sign-language – thereby breaking the existing World Record of 8,054 for the largest ever public usage of sign-language.



Bad news for Newcastle hooker Slade Griffin, who won’t be returning this season. Griffin suffered his fourth serious knee injury in a match against Canterbury last year and was initially seeking a return later this year. That’s no longer the case with Griffin now forced to look at 2020 for a return.



Newcastle and coach Nathan Brown will part ways at the end of the season.



The NRL says The Bunker was right to award a match-winning try to Cronulla’s Bronson Xerri on Sunday afternoon against the Dragons. While acknowledging Wade Graham touched the ball in the lead-up, Head of Football Graham Annesley says the ball went backwards and Xerri’s try was fair.

Peter Beattie, Steven Marshall and Kevin Walters at Adelaide Oval earlier this week

 North Queensland Cowboys prop Matt Scott suffered a mild stroke on Sunday and may have played his last game of rugby league. The retiring Cowboys

legend was hospitalised on the way back from Newcastle last weekend and was later diagnosed with the stroke. He is expected to make a full recovery.

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