James Fisher-Harris.
Photo: NRL Photos.
panther rumblings
TURUVA FLOORED BY ILLNESS
! Tito confined to sick bed: The break for the bye was anything but relaxing for Panthers winger Sunia Turuva. The try-scoring flyer was struck down by a mystery illness and couldn’t even leave the house. He was filthy not to be able to enjoy his mid-season break. “I was crook, out of all weeks,” he said. “We had the five days off and I was crook from Monday to Thursday. I was at home. Couldn’t move. Body was aching. It’s never happened to me before.” Turuva is all good now and will be fighting fit for Penrith’s clash with the Cowboys on Sunday.
! Peach calls it quits: Tyrone Peachey’s (pictured below) announcement that he would retire from the NRL at the end of the year came as no surprise. Peachey has been focused on business interests outside of football for some time now, while the Panthers were very unlikely to offer him a new deal next year. Peachey has had enough of travelling around and moving his family with him, so a farewell year or two at another club wasn’t on the cards. “I was battling, I was struggling for a bit and I’ve noticed myself not fully committed to footy,” Peachey revealed on the Peached Podcast this week. I’m hearing Peachey and the family will settle on the Gold Coast and move from Penrith at the end of the year. Let’s hope Peachey lands at least one more NRL game this year so he gets a fitting farewell.
! May-hem at Panthers: The Taylan May saga continues to take ugly twists and turns as May tries to avoid having his contract terminated by the club. It is hard to imagine how the relationship between Penrith and May could ever be repaired. He has surely played his last game for the club. Fresh developments are expected in the next few days.
! Social saga: Meanwhile, Taylan May’s often bizarre social media behaviour continues. He’s never been more active than he has been in recent weeks, constantly posting on his Instagram Stories. Some of the content leaves you shaking your head.
! Opportunity lost: Christian Crichton played just over 30 first grade games before departing the NRL at the end of the 2022 season. He now toils away for St Marys in the Ron Massey Cup. Last week, the Saints were called upon to play the NSW Blues in an opposed session up in the Blue Mountains. It would
have created a great moment given Christian’s brother Stephen is in the Blues team. But Christian couldn’t get the day off work – so he missed out on the opportunity.
! Spotted: Panthers coach Ivan Cleary in the crowd watching the Super Rugby Final between the Blues and the Chiefs last Saturday.
! Youngsters locked in: The Panthers have announced the re-signings of young guns Luron Patea, Billy Scott, Trent Toelau, Luke Sommerton and Billy Phillips. “On behalf of all at Panthers, I’d like to congratulate these five players on re-signing with the club,” Panthers General Manager of Football Shane Elford said. “These young guys have all been impressive over the past couple of seasons and thoroughly deserve their contract extensions. Not only are they talented footballers, but they are also great young men who are dedicated to their rugby league careers – and we look forward to watching their progression in Panthers colours.”
! Yeo in the cold again: Fresh from not being asked a question by any journalist in the post-match press conference following the win against Newcastle, Penrith co-captain Isaah Yeo was again left with little to say at the Origin press conference in Federation Square on Tuesday. Yeo was there as Vice-Captain of the Blues and while he was asked one introductory question by host James Bracey, none of the attending journos had a question for him.
! Garner nominated: Luke Garner (pictured below) has been nominated for this year’s Ken Stephen Medal, which 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. Garner has been nominated for his volunteering efforts at various community organisations. You can vote here: https://www.nrl.com/community/ awards/ken-stephen-medal.
! Spotted: Former Panthers Chairman Barry Walsh celebrating his 84th birthday at Happy Inn on Sunday.
! Spotted: Dylan Edwards soaking up the history of the MCG ahead of the New South Wales captain’s run on Tuesday (pictured).
Sunia Turuva.
TURUVA WANTS TO LIFT FOR RUN HOME
Sunia Turuva won the NRL’s Rookie of the Year award in 2023 following a sensa tional debut season for the Panthers, however the 21-year-old has admitted he’s not playing to the same standard so far this year.
Despite scoring a team-high 11 tries this season, the popular winger believes there’s a few aspects of his game that is currently letting both he and the team down.
“It’s a bit of everything,” Turuva admit ted to Extra Time on Tuesday.
“I know for myself, I’m not where I want to be. Just going off the back of last year, I think, individually, I know I have to step up.
“Whatever it may be – catching kicks, making my reads, tackling – I have to be on my A-game come this week and moving forward.”
One of Turuva’s most glaring games this year was in Round 14 against Manly when Penrith’s right edge, which included centre Izack Tago, allowed Sea Eagles winger Tommy Talau to run in four consecutive tries.
“Oh my gosh… that first half was a sham bles,” Turuva said.
“I went home and had a good look at myself – far out!
“It was tough in that first half, but come the second half, we did stop a few tries and that
gave us confidence.”
Turuva said he and his right edge teammates had a much-needed honesty session following the 32-22 win.
“We knew after that we had to fix it,” he said.
“We regrouped after. We had a real, honest video session. Myself, Tages, the right edge with coach Wal (Peter Wallace) and Iv (Ivan Cleary).
“That’s all we could do, to be honest. There was no point in dwelling on it.”
With Turuva exiting the Panthers at the end of the year, bound for the Wests Tigers, the Berala Bears junior is eager to turn his form around so he can finish the season on a high and possibly win another premiership.
Turuva said he’s happy the ‘contract chapter’ of his life is over for the next few years as it certainly took its toll on his mental health.
“That period was the worst thing ever,” he said.
“I remember getting in front of the boys and telling them, telling coach as well. I just wanted it to be over, to be honest.
“It can be really stressful and frustrating at the same time but, once I told the boys, everyone just showed love and I’m glad the boys and coaching staff were fine with it.”
When asked how Panthers fans took the news of his impending move to the Wests Tigers, Turuva said more than a few have tried to convince him to stay.
“Some fans do ask that, but some show love as well,” he said.
“I know for myself, I’m trying to end this year on a high and there’s no fans like the Panthers fans.”
Sunia Turuva chatting with the Weekender ’s Nathan Taylor. Photo: Melinda Jane. NATHAN TAYLOR
As we get closer to the pointy end of the season, I thought it would be a good idea to look at the teams which I believe are certainties to make the Top 8 and those who have no chance of making the Finals. Each team will be graded in the order they finished on the ladder after 16 rounds.
1. Storm – I honestly didn’t expect the Storm to be going as well as they are especially after they lost Cameron Munster for an extended period. They’ve been ruthless however and definitely the form team of the competition.
Rating: Certainty
RACE FOR THE NRL FINALS IS ON! lang
2. Panthers – Penrith have been winning matches but not as convincingly as they were over the last four years. No Nathan Cleary for the majority of the season hasn’t helped but thankfully their systems are so good, that they’re still well in contention for a Top 4 finish despite his absence.
Rating: Certainty
3. Sharks – Have definitely got the ‘Hippy Hippy Shakes’ of late after a great start but still have the players and coach to bounce back and finish strong.
Rating: Certainty
4. Roosters – They keep winning matches and have scored the
most points of any team in the comp. Starting to click at the right time too.
Rating: Certainty
5. Dolphins – The real surprise packets of the year. I for one, didn’t have them in my Top 8 at the start of the season. Wayne’s boys are playing inspired football.
Rating: Certainty
6. Bulldogs – The Dogs have improved out of sight and their defence has been hard to crack at times. However, they need to
keep this sort of form up for 27 rounds. Can they?
Rating: Maybe
7. Broncos – Not playing with anywhere near the confidence they were at the start of the year. Losing Adam Reynolds has really hurt them and they seem a little lost without him.
Rating: Maybe
8. Cowboys – Up and down like a yo-yo, the Cowboys really need to find some consistency if they’re to bounce back from
last year’s disappointment and make the Top 8.
Rating: Maybe
I’m also going to put the Dragons, Sea Eagles and Warriors in the ‘maybe’ category. On their day these teams can be world-beaters, but they need to have more of these types of days if they want to play Finals football.
In the ‘rough chance’ category I have Canberra and the Knights. I never thought these two teams would struggle so much this year after making the Top 8 last season.
The problem this year is both teams have been very inconsistent, when they’re good, they’re great but when they’re bad, they’re downright awful.
Finally, in the ‘no chance’ category regrettably I have the following teams: Rabbitohs, Titans, Tigers and Eels.
None of these teams played Finals football last year and won’t this season either. Despite some good form recently by three of the four sides, I’m afraid they’ve left their run a little too late.
However, all four sides can still make life uncomfortable for teams competing for the final eight.
To sum it up, there are still plenty of teams in contention for the Finals this year, so strap yourselves in, as it’s going to be one helluva finish to the season.
Wayne Bennett is on track to make the Finals. Photo: NRL Images.
panther memories
It is impossible to ignore the huge impact Martin Lang had during his time at the Panthers, even though it was a short stint at the foot of the Mountains.
Lang was a well established first grader by the time he joined Penrith ahead of the 2002 season, having debuted with Cronulla in 1996.
He’d been a permanent member of the forward pack from the 1998 season onwards, and played 109 matches with the Sharks.
Ironically, his father John also joined Penrith in 2002.
Lang played 23 games in his debut season with Penrith, a lacklustre year for the club. But the following year, he would be part of the team that would win the 2003 Premiership, playing a total of 18 games during the year.
He played 26 matches in 2004, leaving the club at the end of the season having played a total of 67 matches.
Lang opted to retire, and moved back to his native Queensland, where he still resides today.
Lang is active on X, often sharing his views on footy.
(Photo thanks to NRL Photos)
SHARKS BRONCOS EELS RAIDERS DOLPHINS PANTHERS TIGERS
SHARKS BRONCOS EELS STORM DRAGONS PANTHERS ROOSTERS
SHARKS BRONCOS KNIGHTS STORM DOLPHINS PANTHERS ROOSTERS
BULLDOGS BRONCOS EELS STORM DRAGONS PANTHERS ROOSTERS
SHARKS WARRIORS KNIGHTS STORM DRAGONS PANTHERS ROOSTERS
BULLDOGS BRONCOS KNIGHTS STORM DOLPHINS PANTHERS ROOSTERS
SHARKS WARRIORS EELS STORM DOLPHINS PANTHERS ROOSTERS
BULLDOGS BRONCOS KNIGHTS STORM DRAGONS PANTHERS ROOSTERS
SHARKS BRONCOS EELS STORM DRAGONS PANTHERS ROOSTERS
SHARKS WARRIORS ELS STORM DOLPHINS PANTHERS ROOSTERS
SHARKS BRONCOS EELS STORM DOLPHINS PANTHERS ROOSTERS
SHARKS BRONCOS EELS STORM DOLPHINS PANTHERS ROOSTERS
SHARKS BRONCOS EELS STORM DRAGONS PANTHERS ROOSTERS
SHARKS BRONCOS EELS STORM DOLPHINS PANTHERS ROOSTERS
SHARKS BRONCOS KNIGHTS STORM DRAGONS PANTHERS ROOSTERS
SHARKS BRONCOS EELS STORM DOLPHINS PANTHERS ROOSTERS
STORM
PANTHERS ROOSTERS
SHARKS BRONCOS EELS STORM DOLPHINS PANTHERS ROOSTERS
BULLDOGS WARRIORS KNIGHTS STORM
PANTHERS TIGERS
SHARKS BRONCOS EELS RAIDERS DOLPHINS PANTHERS TIGERS
SHARKS BRONCOS EELS RAIDERS DOLPHINS PANTHERS TIGERS
SHARKS BRONCOS KNIGHTS STORM DOLPHINS PANTHERS ROOSTERS
SHARKS BRONCOS EELS RAIDERS DOLPHINS PANTHERS TIGERS
BULLDOGS BRONCOS KNIGHTS STORM DOLPHINS PANTHERS ROOSTERS
BULLDOGS BRONCOS EELS STORM DOLPHINS PANTHERS ROOSTERS
BULLDOGS WARRIORS EELS STORM DOLPHINS PANTHERS ROOSTERS
SHARKS BRONCOS EELS RAIDERS DOLPHINS PANTHERS TIGERS
WesternSydney GigGuid e
IF YOU HAVE A GIG OR EVENT YOU WOuLD LIKE TO PROMOTE PLEASE CONTACT AMANDA at AMANDA.COSKERIE@WESTERNWEEKENDER.COM.AU
26 June to 30 June
Tickets available from $56
Loggy Live Music Fridays From 6pm The log cabin
Boney M
7:30pm
Tickets from $89.90 Evan Theatre, panthers
Rave on Band
8pm - 11pm Kingswood Sports Club
joe avati world tour
Doors open 8pm
rsl
Tickets $59.90 Smithfield rsl The oils tribute 7pm toongabbie sports ’90s music trivia
8pm - 12am
jimmy barnes - Cold Chisel tribute show Duck Pond by Circa
7:30pm - 10pm crown on mccredie
4 July and 5 July- 7:30pm 6 June- 2pm Tickets from $39.90
the ettamogah sydney coliseum theatre
