panther rumblings GRAND FINAL STAYING IN SYDNEY

! It’s a Sydney decider: Sydney’s Accor Stadium will host the 2023 NRL Grand Final. I can reveal that an announcement that an agreement has been reached between the NRL and the State Government will be made in the coming weeks. In a repeat of last year, footy fans have been in limbo this season with no venue locked in for the season decider. Despite interest from interstate and Peter V’landys suggesting a Super Bowl style concept could be on the cards in the future, I’m told all parties are confident the Grand Final is staying in Sydney. The question is if it’s a one-year deal or a long-term arrangement.

! Peachey recognised: Panthers utility Tyrone Peachey (pictured below) has been nominated for the 2023 Ken Stephen Medal for his efforts off the field in the community. The honour recognises the efforts of an NRL player who has not only achieved on the field, but has committed time off the field to community projects. A player is nominated by their NRL club for going above and beyond in their involvement in charity work, youth development or community support. Vote for Peachey on the NRL website.

! Panthers puts off Vegas push: The Panthers have backed away from their initial desire to help open the 2024 NRL season in Las Vegas. The club has confirmed it would prefer to be part of the venture in 2025, given it will potentially be managing a stadium upgrade during this period. “The club has submitted an expression of interest to the NRL to be considered to play in Las Vegas in future years to help manage stadium transition,” Panthers said in a statement last week. “Contrary to media reports, Penrith Panthers sees the NRL’s initiative to take premiership matches to Las Vegas as a great opportunity to grow rugby league on an international stage.” ! RLPA chaos: The Rugby League Player’s Association’s action that sees media interviews with players banned on game days has thrown Penrith’s weekly schedule into chaos. The Panthers would have usually held a media session on Wednesday to allow journalists to chat to players ahead of Sunday’s game against the Dolphins. But with State of Origin on Wednesday, no session was scheduled as it was a designated game day. The current action is frustrating for clubs and media managers given some of the most positive stories come out of game day interviews and mid-week media sessions, which are currently difficult to schedule. I’m told Panthers contacted the RLPA directly this week to try and organise a media session, but were told bluntly to not hold interviews – despite club’s obligations.

! Players in the dark: Nathan Cleary has been actively sharing posts from the Rugby League Players Association on his Instagram story, suggesting he’s well across the issues at the centre of the dispute with the NRL. But if you asked other players what’s going on, they’d probably look at you blankly. I’m told most have no idea of what’s at the core of the current media ban.

! Spotted: Panthers legend Royce Simmons at Happy Inn on Monday with a large group celebrating the birthday of local business identity Vic Shipley.

! Fans turn out: Around 3,500 fans turned out at the Panthers’ open fan day on Tuesday. Supporters were able to watch the players, including Nathan Cleary, go through their paces ahead of Sunday’s game against the Dolphins. Panthers coach Ivan Cleary was first to embrace fans, signing plenty of autographs before the players joined him.

! Presser’s strange twist: Penrith coach Ivan Cleary is used to answering questions about attack, defence, player selections and opposition threats. But he’s rarely been asked about police investigations. That changed on Wednesday when a Channel Nine crime reporter chimed into his weekly press conference via phone, to ask about the arrest of a local accountant who was a previous Panthers sponsor. Cleary was caught off guard by the random question, and not surprisingly, had no comment.

! Spotted: Hooker Damien Cook and Panthers winger Brian To’o deep in discussion at Blues training.

Panthers co-captain Nathan Cleary is on track to make his return from a lengthy hamstring injury this Sunday afternoon against the Dolphins in Redcliffe.

The 25-year-old hasn’t played since suffering the injury on June 4 against the Dragons, but is expected to be promoted from the extended bench and into the starting side for Penrith’s first ever game against Wayne Bennett’s new side.

On Wednesday morning, Panthers coach Ivan Cleary confirmed his son was likely to play this weekend pending he gets through training.

“There a pretty good chance, I reckon,” Ivan said of Nathan’s probability of playing.

“He’s got a few things to get through throughout the week. We have another three training sessions. He’s tracking really well, so hopefully.”

If Nathan does suit up this Sunday, it will be a momentous occasion in more ways than one. Not only will it be a sight for sore eyes for Panthers fans desperate to see the ‘Prince’ back in action, but the match will also be Nathan’s 150th NRL game.

With his halves partner Jarome Luai celebrating his 100th first grade game this Sunday as well, it shapes up to be a cool moment for the two-time Premiership-winning duo.

“That’s kind of cool, isn’t it? It’s funny how it works out,” Ivan told Extra Time

“I was just thinking, they are only just getting started really. They’ve been playing together for so long as kids and in junior reps.

“They’ve already done a fair bit together. Hopefully there’s a long-standing partnership here at Panthers.”

Sitting on top of the table, Penrith will go into Sunday’s clash against the Dolphins as raging hot favourites –that’s despite their availability of their Origin contingent still up in the air.

Ivan said he’s been impressed with what the Dolphins have achieved in their debut year and revealed he even paid a visit to the Redcliffe area himself last week.

“I think they’ve been a really good addition to the competition,” he said.

“I was just up there last week actu ally, and the town is buzzing about their team. It’s a bit like down here, there’s a real community spirit around what they’re doing and they’re playing pretty well, so it’s a really good challenge for us.”

Despite numerous injuries and suspensions throughout the course of the year, the Dolphins find themselves in 12th spot with eight wins to their name. They’ve been the feel-good story of the year and the Panthers coach isn’t surprised one bit by their success.

“No, it didn’t surprise me,” Ivan said.

“Wayne [Bennett] is a big factor. They are obviously well coached and there’s a strong sense of purpose around their team.

“The team they have put together, they’ve got some really good young players, some excellent experienced players and, like I said, there’s a good vibe up there and they’re doing really well this season.”