CLEARY GROUNDED
HOW PANTHERS WILL GET BY WITHOUT SUPERSTAR CAPTAIN SEE PAGE 42 PLUS MORE INSIGHT INSIDE
Photo: NRL Photos.
the finalword
Athree-week mission begins in the nation’s capital this Saturday. The main target? A home Final.
The Panthers are almost certain to finish in the top four, but a top two finish and a home Final at BlueBet Stadium would be hugely beneficial to the side’s Premiership defence.
And it was all on track nicely until late in last Thursday’s clash between Penrith and Melbourne, when Nathan Cleary left the field with a shoulder injury, sending the stadium into a stunned silence.
On paper, the Panthers should breeze through these final three games. With the Raiders, Rabbitohs and Titans all planning their September holidays and seemingly already packed, the Panthers should be too strong in all three match-ups – especially the final two games at home.
But you can’t count anything out at this
time of the year when clubs are trying to find the silver linings in otherwise disappointing seasons, are often blooding new players and have nothing to lose.
And of course, there’s the Cleary factor. The Panthers will rely on a halves combination of Brad Schneider and Jarome Luai to get them through this period ahead of his likely return for the Finals.
Making things even more challenging this Saturday is the loss of Mitch Kenny to suspension, with Luke Sommerton coming in at hooker. Kenny has had an up and down season but you can’t deny his effort in the middle in terms of defence, and he’ll be missed against this large Canberra pack.
Canberra were the most disappointing side of the weekend in Round 24. They were thumped by the Cowboys 42-4 in a game they were never in, delivering a 75 per cent completion rate, conceding nine like breaks and making 14
errors. It has prompted coach Ricky Stuart to make some changes this week.
If Canberra play anything like last week on Saturday afternoon, they’ll get thumped.
But it’s worth nothing that it is their final home game of the season this weekend and teams, even when out of contention, tend to aim up for that occasion – which makes this a bit of a danger game for me.
All of that said, on paper it’s hard to imagine Penrith being beaten this weekend given what is on the line. Canberra make the second most errors of any side in the competition and the Panthers make no apologies for making teams pay for their mistakes.
It has been rinse and repeat for Penrith for some time now, and it’s hard to combat it.
Powerful sets started by the likes of Brian To’o and Izack Tago at the back, boosted by James Fisher-Harris and Moses Leota as the set wears on, and then excellent execution by the halves
and outside backs at the end to grab crucial points.
Penrith just do the little things better. Look at Dylan Edwards’ defensive effort on that Melbourne line break last Thursday night – just sensational awareness and placement, that not many other fullbacks could produce.
I’m not too worried about Penrith’s loss to Melbourne last Thursday night. The fact so many fans have lost their heads over a two point defeat to the competition leaders, as exemplified on social media, is bewildering.
In a season it is not always about winning and losing, but sometimes what those wins and losses tell you. Last Thursday’s loss certainly didn’t spell any danger signs for me.
I don’t think Penrith will run away with this one in Canberra on Saturday but I’m confident enough they’ll get in front and stay there by the time half-time rolls around.
Tip: Panthers by 14.
panther rumblings
MILESTONE LOOMING FOR YEO
! Yeo milestone looming: Isaah Yeo could well become the most capped Panther by the end of the season. He played his 239th game for the club last Thursday night, and now sits outright second on the list of most games for the club. Steve Carter leads the pack with 243 games. Should Yeo play in all three final regular season games, he’ll join Carter in the first week of the Finals. How special it would be if that game was at Penrith Stadium, where both have played the majority of their matches. Yeo would officially become the most capped Panther later in the Finals.
! Stadium shake-up as seats slashed: The new-look Eastern Grandstand at Penrith Stadium will have 200 less seats than originally proposed. Infrastructure NSW has responded to a range of concerns raised through the consultation process, including from a nearby developer of a currently vacant block of land. The Eastern Stand will now have approximately 8,800 seats, down from 9,000 originally promised. The height of the stand will be reduced by 1.41m compared to what was originally proposed. But overall capacity will not be impacted, with extra seating headed to the Western Grandstand.
! Corporate switch: In addition to the stand changes, two planned lounges with capacity to hold 230 people have been dropped from the stadium plan. They’ll be replaced with more corporate suites, with the stadium to now have 34 suites or corporate boxes.
! Iongi set for blue and gold: It’s no surprise to hear that Isaiah Iongi (pictured below) is poised to join Parramatta on a three-year deal from as early as next season. Iongi is contracted to Pen rith for 2025 but was recently given permission to negotiate with oth er clubs – Penrith well aware he’s unlikely to lock down a permanent first grade spot in Ivan Cleary’s side.
Iongi would likely play fullback at the Eels, ushering in a new era for the club with Clint Gutherson set for a move to the centres.
! Cleary confusion: There was so much confusion surrounding Nathan Cleary’s injury last Thursday night, with Nine’s Andrew Johns even reporting he’d been taken away in an ambulance. That was never the case – he left BlueBet Stadium in a private vehicle headed for scans. He had follow-up scans the next day, which then confirmed his prognosis. The club is very confident he’ll be back for the opening weekend of the Finals.
! Cleary shows up: You may have forgiven Nathan Cleary for skipping a Channel Nine promo shoot at BlueBet Stadium this week given his injury. But his professionalism and class knows no bounds. He was among the first there.
! Fresh Fish: Congratulations to Panthers prop James Fisher-Harris and his partner Natalie, who welcomed baby Jaela into their lives last weekend.
official complaint over the way the field was cut for the Qualifying Final in terms of light and dark features. The NRL were considering ordering Penrith to re-cut it. The league now wants the field cut in a specific way.
Back to ’67 for ball boys: I’m told the Panthers are aiming to ensure the ball boys for the final home game at the current Penrith Park are wearing replica 1967 uniforms. It’s an incredible piece of detail as the club pays homage to its beloved home ground. The players will wear a
PATIOMAN PATIOMAN
! Mansour pulls podcast: Former Panther Josh Mansour has pulled an episode of his podcast that was set to air this week, in which he interviewed Taylan May. Mansour received a rush of criticism following a preview for the episode given May is currently facing domestic violence charges. While it’s important to note that May is innocent until proven guilty, it’s been quite bizarre to see the public support May has been receiving given the seriousness of the charges and the current climate. Mansour rightly pulled a plan to air the podcast, apologising for what he called an “oversight and lack of perspective”.
! Luke’s uncertain future: You’d have to wonder what the future holds for Soni Luke. Luke re-signed with the club mid-way through the 2023 season and played 20 games in first grade last year. But he’s become something of the forgotten man this year – playing in the opening two rounds of the season but not seen in the top grade since. There was a time when some wanted him to be the club’s first choice hooker ahead of Mitch Kenny. How he’s not even called up to replace the suspended Kenny this weekend. Luke’s still at Penrith next – for now at least.
Milestone for touchie: Milestones for match officials are rarely recognised but it’s worth noting that touch judge Dave Munro (centre) clocked up his 200th NRL game as an official last weekend when Penrith played Melbourne at BlueBet Stadium.
Isaah Yeo last Thursday night.
FOOTY CLUB
CONFIDENT OF A CLEARY COMEBACK
Panthers stars Dylan Edwards and Izack Tago are confident that their chief playmaker Nathan Cleary can be fit for the first week of the Finals.
Penrith’s Premiership hopes received a major boost last Friday morning when the club confirmed the 26-year-old’s shoulder injury, that he suffered in the second half of his side’s 24-22 loss to the Storm, wouldn’t be season-ending.
“Scans today confirmed that Nathan experienced a recurrence of the shoulder instability he had earlier this year,” the Panthers said in a statement.
“The scans indicate that he has avoided immediate surgery. The positive outcome is that the club plans to have Nathan available for the NRL Finals.”
It was confirmed this week that Cleary is definitely on track to play in week one of the Finals, which begin on September 13.
Fresh from returning from his own month-long injury is champion NSW Origin fullback Dylan Edwards. Up against the first-placed Storm, the 28-year-old showed no ill effects from the knee injury that kept
him sidelined since Origin III, playing the full 80 minutes and even scoring a try.
Edwards said it was tough to see Cleary come off the field late in the second half.
“I think it was just really disappointing for Nath. He’d been playing some really good footy since he’s been back,” Edwards told Extra Time on Monday.
“It’s just hard seeing one of your mates get injured like that, and obviously not knowing the severity of it [until later]. He’s pretty tough, so for him to go off, it must’ve been serious.”
Like the thousands of nervous Panthers fans at home or work last Friday, Cleary’s teammates were also holding their breath as they patiently waited for news on his diagnosis.
Edwards revealed he sent Cleary a text to check up on him before the news was made public.
“I just sent him a message to ask how he was going and he let me know,” he said.
“In the end, it was good news out of a bad situation, I think. We’ll see how he goes. We know what he’s like with his rehab. I’m looking forward to having him back out there again.”
not knowing whether the two-time Clive Churchill Medallist would even play again this season.
Prior to last Thursday night, Cleary had already missed a dozen games this year due to back-to-back hamstring injuries.
“It’s sad seeing anyone come off for an injury do something again, especially as players – we all go through it,” Tago told Extra Time
“That was hard. All I remember was the crowd going silent. Normally the refs try and hurry the game along, but everyone sort of stopped.
“It was tough to watch, espe cially with him just coming back.”
Penrith will aim to get through the final three regular season games with
TAGO READY TO REPAY COACH’S LOYALTY
Penrith centre Izack Tago admits he’s had a rollercoaster year for a variety of reasons, but he’s hoping a recent turn in form will see him in the fight for his third premiership come September.
The 22-year-old kicked off the year with a bang, signing a lucrative contract extension with the Panthers until the end of 2028 before scoring a hattrick of tries in his opening three matches.
But things would start to get wobbly for the St Marys junior as the players around him were being tested with injuries, like halfback Nathan Cleary.
This – along with the off-field drama surrounding his close mate Taylan May – took a toll on Tago and his form started to slip.
Unlike Tigers-bound winger Sunia Turuva, who has been rested or dropped three times this year, Tago has remained in Ivan Cleary’s line-up and will notch up his 21st game of the season this Saturday afternoon against the out-of-form Raiders in Canberra.
Speaking with Extra Time on Monday, Tago admitted it’s been a tough year despite the side sitting up the top of the table.
“There’s been ups and downs and we’ve had lots of new combinations throughout the season,” he said.
“Clez being injured too. Sort of every time we find our feet there’s a change, something happens… someone has a niggle.
“That’s just the game but, over these new few weeks, we’ll be looking to dial in.”
As touched on earlier, Tago has survived the axe and a stint in NSW Cup despite his defence and discipline being questionable at times. When on the same side as Turuva, the pair struggled together, which has prompted coach Cleary to mix up his combinations in recent weeks.
Tago, who is currently sixth in the NRL for penalties conceded with 17, said he doesn’t blame his coach for making the tough calls when it comes to dropping players.
“I don’t know, it’s a hard job for coach,” he said.
“We have a lot of good backs, so I think everyone is fighting for a spot and doing their best trying to play good each week.”
When Cleary returned from his second hamstring injury against the Dolphins in Round 20, Tago’s performances started to pick up again and, over the last three weeks, he’s found the stripe on four occasions.
However, with the two-time Clive Churchill medallist sidelined once again, this time with a reoccurring shoulder injury, Tago is hopeful he can continue to play well without him.
“He’s the best at what he does – most of the tries that I score are off the back of what he’s doing,” Tago said of Cleary.
“It’s always good to play with him, but it will be no different these next few weeks coming.
“We’ve got heaps of good young halves coming in as we’ve seen throughout the year. They’ve all done a job, and I think it will be no different.”
Izack Tago gets the match-winner against Parramatta. Photo: NRL Photos.
FOOTY CLUB
Missed last week’s results? Here’s a rundown of what happened in key Penrith Panthers games...
Tries: E Katoa 2, T Wishart, G Anderson Goals: N Meaney 4/5
Tries: L Smith, I Tago, D Edwards, C McLean Goals: N Cleary 3/5
Tries: M Stimson, A Fitzgibbon, A Lisati, J Key Goals: K Hayman 4/4
Tries: T Toelau, S Lane, D Fale, H Hassett Goals: T Toelau 4/4
Tries: A Warwick 2, J Cleary, J Edgar Goals: J Cleary 3/4
Tries: M Hill 2, J Goulding Goals: K Toomey 2/3
BYE: COWBOYS
Ahot field of wonderful talent will this year contest the Penrith Panthers Rookie of the Year Award, which last year was won by Sunia Turuva.
Now while I’ll look at all the candidates in contention for this year’s honour, in my opinion, prop Liam Henry should take out the top prize just ahead of 23-year-old fan favourite Mavrik Geyer.
For those who don’t know the rules, players are eligible for the Rookie of the Year in their debut season and the subsequent two NRL seasons.
Once a player plays five NRL Premiership matches he becomes ineligible for the Rookie of the Year in any subsequent seasons.
Fortunately, all the players in contention meet the requirements to win it this year.
I’ll go through my top two picks first.
23-year-old prop Liam Henry is having a super season so far.
RACE FOR ROOKIE OF THE YEAR lang on league
He’s already played 18 first grade matches this year and is averaging 87 metres a game, made 21 tackle breaks, 547 tackles and scored two tries.
However, it’s not just in the stats department that Henry shines.
Against the St George-Illawarra Dragons in round 13 he played his first full 80 minutes of football.
For a rookie prop to play an entire
game is virtually unheard of and shows that Henry has a great motor as well a powerful physique.
The scary thing for opposition coaches and players is, he’s only going to get better the older he gets as seasoned props don’t peak until their late 20s.
The thing I notice about Henry is that you know when he’s on the field. He’ll make at least two or three punishing runs each game with his kamikaze charges into the
defensive line.
If his form keeps up over the remainder of the season, I can’t see anyone beating him for the prestigious honour.
Although a close second for the Panthers Rookie of the Year would have to be second-rower Mavrik Geyer.
Geyer made his first-grade debut in round four of the 2024 season against the Sydney Roosters.
He has since amassed 10 top
grade games and last week started in the second-row. Geyer has also filled in at centre on two occasions and done a great job in that position as well.
Geyer’s star is definitely on the rise. Every week he is playing more minutes and looking more and more comfortable as he gets used to the pace of the game.
The other player who deserves a mention is 18-year-old teen centre Casey McLean.
McLean has been in fine form since he made his first-grade debut in round 17 against the North Queensland Cowboys.
Not bad for a kid who started the season in Jersey Flegg (Under 21) and last year was running around in SG Ball (Under 19).
His meteoric rise shows just how much faith the Panthers coaching staff and coach Ivan Cleary have in the youngster.
McLean is already being compared to former Panthers superstar Stephen Crichton.
The list of other potential rookies is also rather impressive. They include Casey’s older brother Jesse McLean, Luke Sommerton, Trent Toelau, Luron Patea and Jack Cole.
Now that’s quite a talented group of players there.
Ahhh what else can I say except…. the future’s so bright, I gotta wear shades.
player of the year
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
Mavrik Geyer. Liam Henry.
with Peter Lang
panther memories
Darryl Brohman joined Penrith ahead of the 1979 season.
He had an immediate impact: winning Penrith’s Player of the Year award in his first season at the club.
Brohman came to the club at the same time as fellow Queenslander Nick Geiger, a hooker who had represented Australia.
Things didn’t work out for Geiger, playing just five games for the club in what would be his only season in Sydney.
But Brohman would make 95 appearances for Penrith during two stints (he left for Canterbury in 1984, but returned for 1986).
He would famously break his jaw at the hands of Les Boyd in the 1983 season while playing for Queensland, meaning he only played 10 games with the club that year.
Brohman’s final game for the club would be a 13-10 loss to North Sydney on August 2, 1987.
He was on the bench, part of a side that featured future Premierhsip winners Royce Simmons, John Cartwright and Greg Alexander, to name a few.
Brohman now has a strong media career with Radio 2GB.
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