Extra Time August 9

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Photo: NRL Photos

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SHARK ALARM PANTHERS LOOK TO AVOID THREE STR AIGHT LOSSES

MASKED PANTHER > P30 Ivan Cleary and Paul Kent’s heated phone call plus cheerleaders win $10k

KIKAU’S PROMISE > P34 Back from suspension, big forward says he won’t change his playing style

WHERE ARE THEY NOW > P37 We find out what former Panther Jody Gall is up to these days

Friday, August 9, 2019 « the western weekender • extra time

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Defining era for rugby league

ANDY RAYMOND T

his week Fox League jumps in its DeLorean and heads back to the 70s for Retro Round.

The 70s were a magical era for rugby league with the introduction of the six tackle rule, the round the corner kicking style and contested scrums.

It was an era that saw John Sattler turn in one of the most courageous Grand Final displays when he defied doctor’s orders and played on with a broken jaw.

It also saw future Immortal, Graeme Langlands, don a pair of white boots and turn in an infamous performance after a pain killing injection went wrong.

It was an era that was dominated by some of the greatest names to play the game, Arthur Beetson, John Raper, Bob Fulton, Bob McCarthy, Steve Rogers and Langlands to name just a few.

History was made in 1977 when for the first time in 70 years, the Grand Final between the Parramatta Eels and St George Dragons went into overtime.

When both sides couldn’t be separated after 100 minutes the Dragons and Eels went toe- to- toe in the first Grand Final replay which the Dragons won 22-nil.

For the Panthers it was a decade of struggle, but growth. Along with the Cronulla Sharks they were the new boys on the block.

While the Panthers struggled at the bottom half the ladder, the Sharks came out of the blocks firing in the 70s and made their first grand final appearance in 1973.

Inspired by the form of Rothman’s Medallist Ken Maddison, the Sharks went into the deciding game of the season brimming with confidence, but were dashed 10-7 by a Bob Fulton inspired Manly side.

There was one shining light for the Panthers in the 70s with the Panthers making the final of the first ever Amco Cup in 1974.

Fast forward 40 plus years and the Panthers and Sharks are no longer the new kids on the block, they’re two well established sides in a battle for the Top 8.

When the pair lock horns on Friday night they do so knowing that the winning side will finish the weekend in the Top 8, while the loser will finish the weekend one loss closer to an early holiday.

The Sharks come into the game off the

Fox League goes back to the 1970s this weekend back of a convincing win over the Rabbitohs, while the Panthers were humbled by the bottom of the table Bulldogs.

This weekend may be Retro Round, but

it’s safe to say that neither side will be wanting to look backwards this weekend, they’ll be wanting to snare a win and look forward to a spot in the Top 8.

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 9 • 7.55PM | PANTHERS STADIUM | REFEREES: GRANT ATKINS & PHIL HENDERSON

PANTHERS 1

Dylan Edwards

2 3 4 5 21 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

Josh Mansour Dean Whare Brent Naden Brian To’o Matt Burton Nathan Cleary James Tamou (c) Mitchell Kenny James Fisher-Harris Viliame Kikau Liam Martin Isaah Yeo Sione Katoa Spencer Leniu Moses Leota Reagan Campbell-Gillard Frank Winterstein

the western weekender • extra time » Friday, August 9, 2019

MATCH PREVIEW

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Isaah Yeo in action against the Bulldogs. Photo: NRL Photos

TROY

DODDS This clash between Penrith and Cronulla at Panthers Stadium on Friday night marks the first ‘Finals come early’ match of August – not in the likely quality of the contest but certainly in its high stakes importance.

In the wake of last week’s loss to the Bulldogs, this match will tell us just how much heart this Penrith team has left.

To be honest, I’m scared to find out the answer.

After an incredible run of wins to get back into the top eight, all of the hard work was tossed aside last week by a performance that lacked energy and enthusiasm; allowing the Bulldogs to play spoiler at the back end of the season.

Penrith now find themselves outside

the top eight, facing a Cronulla side that sits on the same amount of competition points (20) yet has a far superior for and against.

Let’s be serious – if Penrith lose this one, it’s essentially goodnight to the 2019 season. I can’t see Penrith winning three games on the road after another loss, so this is essentially Grand Final day for Ivan Cleary’s men. And the task is pretty tough, given the Sharks sit at almost full-strength after recovering from a mid-season lapse and are looking good at the right time of the season.

The task of winning this one has been made a little more difficult with the suspension of James Maloney for tripping, with little- known youngster Matt Burton set to partner Nathan Cleary in the halves.

Nathan Cleary. Let’s talk about Nathan Cleary.

I’ve felt through the last couple of

2GB 873 ABC 702 seasons that his critics have been way too harsh. He’s 21-years-old and we’re expecting too much from him at his age; and silly comparisons to some of the greats of the game are unfair and foolish.

My mind hasn’t changed, but Cleary’s game does appear to have stagnated.

At this time of the season, boasting two halves that were picked for NSW this year, Penrith fans deserve to expect better than what was dished out against the Bulldogs.

Cleary and Maloney appeared to have very few answers to what was an impressive Bulldogs’ defensive effort, but as much as we can praise the opposition, there is no excuse for Penrith to have only bagged one try against a side that has conceded 420 points this season and gave the Panthers plenty of opportunities.

Penrith had 57 per cent of possession and at one stage had a one- man advantage, and still couldn’t take control of the

1

Josh Dugan

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Sosaia Feki Bronson Xerri Josh Morris Ronaldo Mulitalo Shaun Johnson Chad Townsend Aaron Woods Jayden Brailey Matt Prior Briton Nikora Wade Graham Paul Gallen (c) Kurt Capewell Jack Williams Andrew Fifita Braden Hamlin-Uele

match. Every fan has a right to feel angry and rattled by the performance.

Perhaps Burton will add some muchneeded spark, while Cleary may step up given he takes full control of the team in the absence of Maloney and his usual fillin halves partner Jarome Luai. The return of Viliame Kikau is also a big plus.

I’m still willing to believe this Penrith side has some fire left in 2019; that the seven match winning streak was more than just fluke and luck; and that this squad will not simply let the opportunity of making the Finals slip through their fingers after doing such hard work through the middle part of the season.

Penrith haven’t beaten Cronulla since 2015. There could be no better time to break the drought than with your season on the line and your reputation as a quality football team in question.

Tip: Panthers by 4.

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Friday, August 9, 2019 « the western weekender • extra time

PANTHER RUMBLINGS

with the Masked Panther

IVAN FIRES UP  Penrith coach Ivan Cleary was so angry

about a scathing article written by The Daily Telegraph’s Paul Kent on Tuesday that he made the rare move to pick up the phone and ring the veteran journalist.

The positive result was that Cleary agreed to clear the air with Kent on ‘NRL 360’ later that night, but prior to that agreement I’m told the phone conversation between the pair was exceptionally heated. Cleary took exception to a number of things in the article that he believed bordered on a personal attack.

 Meanwhile, the fallout continues from

Ivan Cleary’s discussion, or non-discussion, with referee Ashley Klein in the tunnel at half-time of the Panthers v Raiders match a fortnight ago. Fox League’s Andy Raymond is sticking to his guns over what he heard, and has copped plenty of flak as a result. Raymond is generally well respected around most NRL clubs and while he felt he was only doing his job by reporting what he’d seen between Cleary and Klein, it’s certainly left a few bruises, with Raymond stuck in the middle. In an emotional social media post last weekend, Raymond said: “I can walk with my chin up, my chest out and my head held high, in the knowledge I don’t and haven’t lied.”

 NRL CEO Todd Greenberg was full of

praise for the Panthers at a luncheon held at the club last week in support of the Men of League Foundation and country rugby league. The event, hosted by Fox League’s Yvonne Sampson, also featured insightful interviews with Panthers legend Greg Alexander and coach Ivan Cleary. Greenberg spoke well, dusting aside the constant criticism he cops to talk the game up and speak about Penrith’s bright future.

 Penrith forward Frank Winterstein has

been nominated for the 2019 Ken Stephen Medal. The 2019 Ken Stephen Medallist will be announced during Grand Final week, with voting now open on NRL. com, providing fans the opportunity to select a nominee they feel deserves to be a finalist. This is the 31st year of the Ken

NRL CEO Todd Greenberg speaking in Penrith last week.

Photo: Jeff Lambert / Penrith Panthers



Stephen Medal, with the award recognising the efforts of an NRL player who has not only achieved on the field, but has committed time off the field to supporting community projects.

Spotted: Bulldogs legend Terry Lamb desperately trying to get photos with Panthers fans in the corporate area at Bankwest Stadium last Saturday night.

Loves his Panthers.

 James Maloney has failed in his bid to

Congratulations to former Penrith Panthers cheerleaders Brooke Bowne and Nat Sinclair who last week won $10,000 on Channel 10’s ‘Celebrity Name Game’.

It was a closely fought contest but in the end Brooke and Nat took home the main prize, with the help of Anthony Callea and James Mathison.

play against the Sharks on Friday night, suspended for a week by the NRL judiciary for tripping. It’s hard to argue that the system isn’t flawed when Maloney cops a week out while Sam Burgess, who knocked out Matt Moylan resulting in the Sharks fullback being forced to sit out a week, walks away with only a fine. Something doesn’t feel right there.

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 Despite being a pretty ordinary game

of football and far from a top eight battle, the Panthers v Bulldogs clash was the highest rating program of the day on Fox Sports last Saturday. An average of 258,000 people tuned in, while 251,000 watched the Sharks v Rabbitohs clash later that night. 193,000 tuned in for Saturday afternoon’s clash between Manly and Newcastle.

 We’ll see Spencer Leniu and most

likely Matt Burton make their NRL debuts against the Sharks tonight but I’m also hearing there could be another late shakeup to Ivan Cleary’s side, with a veteran player potentially being dropped.

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the western weekender • extra time » Friday, August 9, 2019

FEATURE

YEO: ROOKIES READY TO GO TAYLOR Penrith will usher in two more NRL debutants for tonight’s clash against the Cronulla Sharks at Panthers Stadium, with five-eighth Matt Burton and prop Spencer Leniu the latest cubs to get a run in Ivan Cleary’s all-new line-up.

With James Maloney suspended and Jarome Luai out with injury, 19- yearold Dubbo product Burton will partner Nathan Cleary in the halves, while 18- year- old Kiwi Leniu will make his highly- anticipated first grade debut off the bench.

Since arriving at the Panthers last year, Burton has enjoyed an incredible ride to the NRL. Not only did he win the SG Ball title with Penrith in 2018, but he was also named Man of the Match following a stellar performance playing for NSW at the Under 20s State of Origin last month.

Burton scored two tries in the victory

and has been climbing the ranks at Penrith ever since.

Panthers backrower Isaah Yeo said he was proud to see a fellow Dubbo boy get a shot in the NRL. “I’m stoked for him, last year he was playing with Dubbo CYMS and this year he’s had a rapid rise,” he told Extra Time.

“Matt’s been outstanding in Jersey Flegg and has moved up to Cup and played really well there. He was Man of the Match in the Under 20s State of Origin too.

“It’s disappointing not to have Jimmy Maloney out there but it gives Matt a wonderful opportunity and I’m really stoked he’s a Dubbo boy too. He’s worked really hard and deserves it.”

With veteran playmaker James Maloney suspended for one week for tripping, it will be up to 21-year-old halfback Nathan Cleary to run the show alongside the rookie. Yeo said he and his teammates will be right behind the teenager.

“You can’t be throwing too much expectations on his shoulders, he’s a 19-year-old five- eighth. I expect Nathan to control

Isaah Yeo is excited to play alongside rookies Matt Burton and Spencer Leniu us around the park and Matt to take his opportunities where he can,” Yeo said.

“Matt just needs to come in and do his job, and the players around him will help him out for his debut.”

Another debutant fans are definitely excited to see on Friday night is teenage wrecking ball Spencer Leniu. After a strong start to the year, the Minchinbury junior was promoted to the club’s top 30

roster in June and has been inching closer and closer to a debut ever since.

“He’s been knocking on the door for six to eight weeks now,” Yeo said.

“But like fans have seen on videos the club’s posted online, he’s an attacking front rower who can score a lot of tries.

“You don’t get many of those come through at his age. Now he gets his opportunity. I think he’ll do a great job.”

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Friday, August 9, 2019 « the western weekender • extra time

FEATURE Viliame Kikau speaks to the media on Monday.

Photo: Megan Dunn

BACK IN ACTION KIK AU RETURNS TO TACKLE RESURGENT CRONULL A NATHAN

TAYLOR

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Penrith powerhouse Viliame Kikau says his recent suspension won’t stop him from playing hard and with plenty of aggression.

The Fijian’s return tonight from a shoulder charge suspension will be a huge boost for the Panthers after back to back losses saw them slip to ninth with five games remaining.

Speaking with the media on Monday afternoon, the 24- year- old said he was surprised to miss two weeks for his hit on Dragons half Darren Nicholls last month despite entering the judiciary full of confidence.

“If we thought it was that bad we wouldn’t have fought the charge, I would have just taken the one week early plea but we thought we had a good case and

unfortunately we didn’t come up with the result we wanted,” Kikau said.

“This time of year you don’t want to be missing games. Every game is important leading up to the Finals.”

The backrower’s two-match suspension shocked the league, with many of the game’s leading experts and supporters expressing their utter disappointment in how the game is adjudicated. Kikau, unsurprisingly, also isn’t a fan.

“I’m more disappointed with the way the game is going,” he admitted.

“Being a backrower, that’s your job to

put pressure on the ball player. Obviously, I come up against halves half my size, so I do my best to put pressure on them and make sure it’s legal. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be on that occasion, but I’ll still keep my aggression.”

While Penrith have certainly missed Kikau’s spark in recent weeks, he’ll be a welcome addition when they battle for a spot in the top eight against arch-rivals Cronulla.

The Panthers haven’t beaten the Sharks since 2015 and not many punters are giving them much chance of snapping

“WE HAVEN’T BEEN PLAYING LIKE A TOP EIGHT TEAM THE LAST TWO WEEKS”

that unwanted streak tonight, especially with James Maloney and Jarome Luai both out of the side.

“We haven’t been playing like a top eight team the last two weeks, we’ve been beating ourselves,” Kikau said.

“We played the Sharks in Cronulla earlier this year and we were up by 14 points but they came back to win. We don’t have a good record against them but this week’s game is so important to us and hopefully we’ll win.”

Penrith’s surprise 16-8 loss to Canterbury last Saturday night was just another in a long list of shocking performances in 2019.

With so much to play for, Penrith played down to their opposition and barely threw anything at them at all.

“We had our review about the game on the weekend and the boys are holding themselves accountable,” he said.

“Our attack went sideways a bit too much and we didn’t unsettle their defence.”

Can another rookie coach save the Gold Coast?

CLINTON MAYNARD T

he Gold Coast is Australia’s sporting wasteland.

History shows sporting franchises rarely work on the holiday strip. The NBL tried and failed, Clive Palmer gave it a shot in the A- League and that ended in tears, and the AFL has pumped tens of millions into the Suns who are anchored to the bottom of the table.

Rugby league should be successful in the region, south- east Queensland is league heartland. When the Gold Coast returned to the top flight in 2007 there was great hope. Since the area lost a league team in the 1990s the population had boomed, the time was right to try again.

After the failure of the Giants, Seagulls and Chargers, the initial years of the Titans indicated things had changed and this version of the Gold Coast would be successful.

Stars like Scott Prince, Preston Campbell and Mat Rogers led the new club to the Finals in just their third season and then they repeated it in 2010.

Since then it’s been nothing but bad news. The club went into voluntary administration in 2015 with the NRL

forced to step in to keep the organisation afloat.

What’s gone wrong? They have population, a great stadium and rugby league is in the heart of the region. From the outside it would appear players have too much power – players without the track record on the field. The last two coaches, Neil Henry and Garth Brennan, have both been sacked after losing the support of players. You’d never see this happen at the Melbourne Storm.

The Titans need a commanding figure as a coach, a man who demands respect of the players and if the players don’t like him, they are the ones who should go, none of them on the current list are indispensable.

Justin Holbrook has been appointed as coach, he comes with a great reference, however coaching a well established club in the UK Super League is very different to a struggling club with a history of failure in the NRL. Many within the game have questioned how the Titans could appoint another rookie coach. If the Titans are to dig themselves out of the hole, the club must give

the western weekender • extra time » Friday, August 9, 2019

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Flop: Bryce Cartwright has failed to fire at the Titans. Photo: Megan Dunn Holbrook 100 per cent backing. If he wants to sack the club’s top players in order to

change the culture, management must allow him. This must be his team.

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Friday, August 9 6pm Mt Smart Stadium

Friday, August 9 7.55pm Panthers Stadium Saturday, August 10 3pm Nestrata Jubilee Stadium Saturday, August 10 5.30pm Bankwest Stadium

Saturday, August 10 7.35pm ANZ Stadium Sunday, August 11 2pm GIO Stadium Sunday, August 11 4.05pm Central Coast Stadium

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FACE IN THE CROWD

Round 21

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IS THIS YOU? Is this you at a recent Penrith Panthers game?

If it is, you’ve won a $20 voucher to use at Spur restaurant right here in Penrith! To collect your prize, visit the Weekender office at 2/42-44 Abel Street, Jamisontown and ask for Nathan Taylor.

Extra Time Issue Number 2019-022 PRODUCED BY The Western Weekender EDITOR Troy Dodds / 4722 2998 / troy.dodds@westernweekender.com.au CONTRIBUTORS Nathan Taylor / Clinton Maynard / Andy Raymond SALES DIRECTOR Chris Pennisi / 4722 2998 chris.pennisi@westernweekender.com.au

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Friday, August 9, 2019 « the western weekender • extra time

NRL LADDER AND FIXTURES

Jody Gall Jody Gall played more than 100 first grade games for Penrith during two stints – from 1994 until 1998 and again from 2000 until 2002. He spent the 1999 season with North Queensland. We caught up with Jody to find out what he’s doing now, 17 years on from retirement...

What are your best memories of playing for the Panthers?

When I look back on my time with Penrith, the memories that created the most amount of pleasure and the most amount of pain were the best. Watching a player like Ryan Girdler create something out of nothing to win a match for us, or Carl MacNamara get knocked out and get back up in the defensive line so he wouldn’t let down the team. Getting yelled at by Brad Fittler who was at the time, pointing the finger at Col van der Voort and telling me to be just like him.

Getting my finger near chopped off and telling Maresy I think I have an issue with my finger. We still joke about it today. All the stitches from Norm, and all the surgeries. Those are some of my best memories.

What did you do immediately after your football career ended?

I got depressed. Playing football for Penrith was a childhood dream and when the dream was over, it felt like I

Jody Gall today was left with nothing. Of course I did have plenty to live for, but that is the truth of it.

What are you doing these days?

BEHIND THE PANTHERS

I coach people physically and mentally.

I also study psychology full- time and may even continue on with studying and eventually complete a doctorate.

What was the toughest part about adjusting to life after footy?

Rebuilding your identity in the absence of the notoriety afforded to the first grade footballer. Or for better words, redefining who you are and what you are about when you no longer get asked for autographs.

What advice would you give to current footballers nearing retirement?

Listen to, and talk to ex- players that have been down the same journey you will be on. Ask them about the challenges you may face, along with the opportunities that the belief in yourself can afford you.

Another bit of advice, take your time deciding what you want to do next, don’t just do something because it is easy, find something you are passionate about pursuing, being a first grade footballer is not all you can be, and it may not even be the best thing you can be. Along with that, just remember that without the jersey and notoriety that comes with it, there will still be people that are looking up to you, whether it be ex-fans, friends or your own family.

In other words, continue to be somebody’s hero.

the western weekender • extra time » Friday, August 9, 2019

Where they y now?

Pantherare Flashback

SCOREBOARD NRL

BULLDOGS 16 PANTHERS 8

NSW CUP

BULLDOGS 26 PANTHERS 22

JERSEY FLEGG PANTHERS 28 BULLDOGS 28

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FREE! General Manager Rugby League HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED FOR PANTHERS? Seven years, with a year off in the middle.

WHAT’S THE BEST THING ABOUT WORKING FOR PANTHERS? To be at a club that is prepared to put significant resources into developing boys into first grade footballers and fine young men.

WHO IS YOUR FUNNIEST COLLEAGUE AT PANTHERS? Recruitment manager Jim Jones. Ask him about the time he turned down the opportunity to sign a young Wendell Sailor.

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Friday, August 9, 2019 « the western weekender