Extra Time June 16 2023 (Round 16 - Panthers v Cowboys)

THE THREEPEAT IS ON!

THE PANTHERS HAVE PROVEN AN UNPRECEDENTED THIRD STRAIGHT NRL TITLE IS WITHIN REACH, BUT FIRST IT’S A TRIP TO TOWNSVILLE WITHOUT A HOST OF BIG STARS. PANTHERS V COWBOYS PREVIEW: SEE PAGE 31.

MASKED PANTHER

SEE PAGE 33

SEE PAGE 39

SEE PAGE 40

Photo: NRL Images.

For some four months now I’ve been unwilling to say it, but as we guide our way towards the business end of the season it’s safe to say that a Premiership threepeat is well and truly within reach for the Penrith Panthers.

After 15 rounds, Ivan Cleary’s side sits on top of the competition with a defensive record far superior than any other side in the competition. And with suggested title contenders like the Roosters, Cowboys, Sharks and Eels far from impressive or consistent this season, you have to put the Panthers right up there as a true chance of winning a third straight title – something that league fans haven’t witnessed for some 40 years.

But before any of that, a new challenge: A seriously Origin-impacted clash with North Queensland in Townsville on Friday night. 10 players, plus Nathan Cleary, are missing

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from what could have been a Friday night blockbuster. Regardless, there’s still plenty of storylines attached to this clash and still two competition points up for grabs.

The Cowboys probably weren’t expecting to be without so many Origin stars (Reuben Cotter, Valentine Holmes, Murray Taulagi, Jeremiah Nanai and Reece Robson) but they’ve been given a boost with the return of co-captain Jason Taumalolo, who has been out with a knee injury since Round 7.

That probably gives the Cowboys the slight edge against a Penrith team without their game manager in Cleary, the talents of Jarome Luai, the strike of Brian To’o and Stephen Crichton and the toughness of Isaah Yeo, who has been seriously good this season.

But there’s still plenty to like about the Penrith team – Dylan Edwards is in sensational form, while Moses Leota and James Fisher-Harris

make up a ferocious front row. The halves is the obvious issue – Jaeman Salmon and Jack Cogger have never partnered before and there’s probably a lack of creativity there that could cost the Panthers. Also lost in the big win over the Roosters last weekend was Penrith’s poor last tackle options on too many occasions, and there’s no doubt either Salmon or Cogger will need to take the game by the scruff of the neck and sort that out on Friday.

The Cowboys are in the fortunate position of being able to name a strong halves pairing in Tom Dearden and Chad Townsend, who may just have a little too much spark compared to Penrith’s back-up pairing.

The Panthers offer a stronger bench though and as long as the game doesn’t blow out early, the inclusion of Spencer Leniu at some point in the first half could prove a huge momentum shifter and break the match open.

In what is probably the most difficult round to tip this season, this week 16 opener is perhaps the toughest of the lot. You have to consider the home ground advantage for the Cowboys, and the fact they’ve come off a bye and will be well prepared for the task at hand. They’d also know there’s no better chance to get a shot at the defending Premiers than when they’re down on troops.

But Penrith’s next man up mentality continues to be a highlight of this current era of success, and you can’t deny the hunger that the fill-in players will have to make their own mark on this season. There is something to be said for holding down the fort, and the responsibility that brings.

Flip a coin, because I’ve really got no idea how this one unfolds – but I can find enough reasons to tip the visitors in a tight one.

Tip: Panthers by 2.

Jaeman Salmon. Photo: NRL Images.

nrl ladder & fixtures

ROUND 16

IS THIS YOU?

panther rumblings

WITH THE MASKED PANTHER

WHY I’M BACK WATCHING NINE

! Why I’m watching more games on Nine: I’m a big fan of Fox Sports and its 24hour league channel. For years I couldn’t stand Channel Nine’s coverage and I still find elements of it below par. But Fox’s decision to call so many games off TV has reached a really frustrating point and I now find myself watching more games on Nine when they’re available. The likes of Danika Mason and Johnathan Thurston do a great job and they’re always at the ground. Fox is a premium product that charges a premium price to subscribers – it needs its commentators at the ground for every game. There’s a certain colour and atmosphere missing when games are called off TV, and it’s becoming more and more obvious.

! Crichton to miss crucial clash: Stephen Crichton (pictured below) is unlikely to see a minute of game time for New South Wales next Wednesday night but will still be forced to sit out Penrith’s clash with North Queensland on Friday night. Under the current structure, even though ‘Critter’ is 18th man, he’s unavailable to play for the Panthers. It’s a rough rule but there’s little the Panthers can do about it. Crichton is among five Panthers players named in the Blues squad, with Brian To’o, Jarome Luai, Isaah Yeo and Liam Martin also there. Word over the weekend was that Spencer Leniu had made the team, but he was nowhere to be seen on Monday. It’s a shame – he would have offered significant firepower to the under-pressure Blues team. Well-placed sources had Leniu in the team, so something happened late in the piece.

thers officials successfully negotiating their way back into Allianz Stadium last Saturday night after accidentally taking an exit on their way to the sheds after the match.

! Spotted: Panthers ground announcer Glen Hawke hard at work as the Roosters ground announcer last Saturday night. Hawke looks after hosting duties for a number of NRL clubs.

! Calm under pressure: A moment that went largely unnoticed during the Spencer Leniu / Jared Waerea-Hargreaves drama last weekend was a smart decision in the wake of the sin bins. Whether it was from Isaah Yeo on field or from Ivan Cleary in the box, the Panthers opted to take a penalty goal despite where the scoreline was at, in an effort to calm the situation and avoid another flareup. It was great leadership.

! A boy for To’o: This is the moment Panthers winger Brian To’o found out he and his partner Moesha are having a baby boy. To’o posted the touching video to Instagram, showing his delight at the baby reveal.

where. “This club gave me an opportunity in 2021 and I am over the moon to be continuing my journey here at Panthers,” Sorensen said. “I know I wouldn’t be in this position without Ivan Cleary, the incredible staff and of course my teammates. I love this club – it’s a very special place to be. To secure my and my family’s future here at Penrith means the world.”

! Spotted: Injured Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary picking up some work as game day photographer for the club at Allianz Stadium last Saturday night.

! Spotted: A number of high ranking Pan-

! Top four certainties: The TAB believes there’s little chance of the Panthers not making the top four. They’ve slashed Ivan Cleary’s sides odds to make the four to $1.05. Only the Broncos share similar odds. The Panthers remain competition favourites at $3.25, with Brisbane now second favourites at $4.75. The Roosters have blown out to $21.00.

! Sorensen’s new deal: Nobody is more delighted at Scott Sorensen landing a new contract with Penrith than the man himself. The 30-year-old forward was always going to do what was best by his family financially when it came to his new deal, but was keen to stay at the foot of the Mountains. His new contract, announced last Friday afternoon, will keep him at the Panthers until the end of 2026 and saw the club fend off rival offers from else-

! Share your news: I don’t keep secrets, but I do protect my sources! Email maskedpanther@westernweekender.com.au with any news you hear, and let me know if you spot a player out and about!

Danika Mason and Johnathan Thurston.

EISENHUTH RETURNS AT CRUCIAL TIME

despite the home side finding some form of late and welcoming back former Dally M Medallist Jason Taumalolo from injury.

hen Penrith travelled up to Townsville last year to play the Cowboys on the eve of the Finals, Ivan Cleary fielded a severely understrength side which included three NRL debutants.

That evening, the high-flying Cowboys towelled the Panthers up 38-8, but one moment late in the game typified the Panthers spirit. It was big Eddie Blacker – in his first game in

Penrith colours – running the length of the field to deny Cowboys fullback Scott Drinkwater a certain try on the stroke of full-time.

It was one of those effort plays that win you games, and something that will be needed again when the Panthers – minus six of their biggest names – return to Queensland Country Bank Stadium this evening to take on North Queensland.

“It was a big moment,” Matt Eisenhuth said of Blacker’s heroics in Round 25 last season.

“It probably just summed up what this club is about – next man up.

“If you look back on that one moment with Eddie, the effort – that’s what this week is all about. Everyone putting in effort and not trying to be anyone else other than who they are.”

After nearly two months on the sideline dealing with a shoulder injury suffered during the Wests Tigers clash in Bathurst, Eisenhuth will return to Penrith’s first grade side tonight, replacing NSW Blues star Isaah Yeo at lock.

Having played in Penrith’s previous clash against the Cowboys in Townsville last year, Eisenhuth said he remembers that evening in September very well.

“That was a really cool game to be a part of. We had heaps of debutants, a whole new team

basically,” he told Extra Time on Wednesday morning.

“Three quarters of that team was the reserve grade side that went on to win the comp and the National Championship. There were some good memories from that week.”

However, while Penrith will be down on troops due to State of Origin and injury, on this occasion the Cowboys will also be missing five of their star players to Origin selection as well.

Eisenhuth encouraged Panthers supporters to get behind some of the new faces in this week’s team.

“Everyone coming in this week, a lot of them have played first grade already,” he said.

“Peach (Tyrone Peachey) is a seasoned first grader as is Luke Garner. It’s probably just ‘Milk’, young Tom Jenkins who got his debut in Townsville last year and has been doing a really good job in NSW Cup, scoring plenty of tries.

“Tom’s probably the one player Panthers fans will be excited to see the most. A young up and comer who’s had to bide his time obviously with some good players ahead of him, but he finally gets his chance again.”

Penrith, the NRL’s competition leaders, will go into tonight’s match against North Queensland as favourites with the bookmakers, that’s

Taumalolo was confirmed to make his longawaited return this week after nine weeks on the sideline with an injured knee.

“He’s a big in for them,” Eisenhuth said. “I’m not sure how long he’s been out for but he’s a handful and not many big fellas have the speed and footwork like he does – he’s got all the skills.

“He’s hard to handle but every team has got someone dangerous like that. The Cowboys have plenty of them – him along with a bunch of skilful backrowers. We’ll do the best we can with him.”

The Panthers handled last year’s busy State of Origin period with class – winning all their affected matches – and fans will be hoping they can do the exact same this season.

Eisenhuth said everyone is keen to rip in and continue Penrith’s winning streak despite being down on several big stars.

“The main thing is we go out there, we stick to our system, we play as a team and hopefully we don’t notice too much of a difference with the boys that are out and the boys that come in and do a role,” the 30-year-old said.

“Personally, it’s exciting to be back.”

Matt Eisenhuth.

Photo: NRL Images.

Matt Eisenhuth.

Photo: NRL Images.

Matt Eisenhuth, Jaeman Salmon and Scott Sorensen will play on Friday.

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MARTO REVEALS INJURY FRUSTRATION

every day getting treatment on it. I want to say a massive thanks to them because it was frustrating, but we got there in the end.”

After a “frustrating” start to the season, Penrith backrower Liam Martin says he’s grateful to be back on the field doing what he loves.

The NSW Blues star missed six games for the Panthers this season due to a pesky hamstring injury. While hamstring injuries can often be troublesome for players, Martin’s was particularly unpredictable, which caused a lot of stress for all involved.

“It was just a low-grade hammy tear,” Martin told Extra Time

“Typically you’re normally back within a week or two, but mine kept on reaggravating.

“We’d go through the whole rehab block and that final hurdle I would just fall at.”

Martin, whose had a few niggling injuries during his near 100-game NRL career, said he’s never experienced anything quite like the 16mm tear he had in his leg.

“Most of my injuries in the past I’ve had a set time frame like, ‘you’ll be back in two weeks’, whereas this one was a bit indefinite,” he said.

“I sort of had to see it from session to session and whether I’d get through each one. I think I re-did it three times and by the third one the physios said they were going to pull it right back and take the conservative approach.

“It was frustrating because you should be fine, but you’re feeling it and you’re going ‘this isn’t right’… it was so frustrating.”

After several weeks of treatment and research

into what was causing the setbacks, Martin was finally confident he had turned a corner and was keen to get back on the field.

“I just took the slow and steady approach…

if it takes three or four weeks then it will take three or four weeks,” Martin said. “I’m just fortunate with the physios here, the amount of work they have done. I was in

Ultimately, the 26-year-old’s patience and perseverance paid off with Brad Fittler selecting him to play for NSW in Origin I despite playing just five games all season.

Martin scored the Blues’ first four-pointer in Adelaide on May 31, a much deserved reward following a trying period.

“I had my own doubts about being selected just with the amount of footy I’ve played… I only played limited minutes up until that point,” Martin said.

“But to get out there, I was just lucky the boys got me through it, and I did my best.”

Martin has also been selected for Origin II but will need to prove his health and fitness after suffering a concussion against the Roosters last weekend. Blues officials are confident he’ll be right to play.

Meanwhile, Martin shared a cheeky joke with his co-captain Nathan Cleary after the Dragons game a fortnight ago, in which the halfback suffered a hamstring injury of his own, ruling him out for up to six weeks.

“I said to him after the game, ‘explosive athletes, we’re too fast’,” Martin laughed.

“Being in his shoes not long ago, his injury is worse than mine. It’s pretty devastating. You could see how much it meant to him on Sunday – he was cut.

“But I know he’ll do whatever it takes. He’ll put his best foot forward and try and come back as quick as possible.”

Liam Martin takes the ball up against the Dragons. Photo: NRL Images.

NATHAN TAYLOR

In the world of rugby league, 30-year-old late bloomer Scott Sorensen is the ‘It Man’ at the moment. He’s the Cinderella story of the year even though he looks more like a cross between Prince Charming and the Incredible Hulk.

Just last week he signed an upgraded threeyear extension with the Panthers which not only made Penrith supporters happy but coach Ivan Cleary too, who praised ‘Sorro’ in the press conference after the win over the Roosters last Saturday.

“I’m really happy [he’s staying],” Cleary said.

“Sorro is part of our leadership group, he’s like a cultural architect in many ways, an ambassador if you like, he’s everything you want to be, that’s him.

“On and off the field, the way he trains is the way he plays.”

Now I’m not 100 per cent sure what a ‘cultural architect’ is, perhaps it’s someone who embodies what a great person should be and Sorensen is definitely a player loved and admired not only by his teammates but by Penrith supporters as well.

THE RISE OF SCOTT SORENSEN lang on league

The man is tough, plays the game hard and has replaced Viliame Kikau nicely as an edge backrower, while being a completely different player at the same time.

It hasn’t always been this way for Sorensen. He came to the club at the end of the 2020 season seeking an opportunity after squeezing out 37 first grade games in four seasons for Cronulla (2014, 2018-20) and only two at Canberra in 2017.

Fast forward three years and he’s already played 54 games for Penrith, played in two Grand Finals and made the New Zealand inter-

national side. He’s also one of the first players picked every week. However there are two years in his resume in which he played zero first grade games, that was in 2015 and 2016. It was two tough seasons which saw Sorro join the South Sydney Rabbitohs in 2015 and then the Mt Pritchard Mounties in 2016, where he played in the Intrust NSW Super Premiership. A lesser player would’ve given up on his rugby league dream, of ever playing first grade again but Sorensen is made of sterner stuff.

As mentioned earlier, he joined the Panthers on a very modest contract after the 2020 season. Even then, a lot of Panthers supporters didn’t take much notice of his signing, me being one of them. I knew of Scott Sorensen but would be lying if I said three years later, he’d be so good that I’d be writing a column about him.

“Sorro came to our club out of nowhere,” Cleary said.

“It’s almost like fate, he’s just really good for us and I think we’re good for him.”

‘Look Up, Get Up and Don’t Ever Give Up’.

This sporting quote best sums up Scott Sorensen.

An inspiration to us all.

See you next week.

Scott Sorensen will remain a Panther long-term. Photo: NRL Images.

with Peter Lang

FREDDY STILL RIGHT FOR BLUES

By 10pm next Wednesday night, we’ll know if the State of Origin series is going to a decider, or if the Maroons’ dressing room at Suncorp Stadium is in party-mode to the strains of ‘aye, aye, yippee yippee, aye’.

Queensland – beautiful one day, struggling to come up with words to a team song the next.

If only they’d spoken to Lennon & McCartney 60 years ago.

Lyrics may not be their strong suit, but they can produce good football players, and given their 1-nil advantage in the series they’re a short-priced favourite to go on with the job and wrap it up on home soil.

warren smith

If it works out that way, or even if they have to come to Sydney for Game 3 in a live rubber and take down the Blues at Accor Stadium, a second straight series win for Billy Slater as coach could mean the end of the line for NSW coach Brad Fittler.

Freddy has a clause in his contract that allows him to extend his deal into 2024 if his team wins the series, but when you consider what he’s done for his state over more than 30 years, the piece of paper that his signature is on should be put through the shredder.

When you have legends of their states like Slater and Fittler in charge of your Origin campaign

you don’t need contracts – they’ll put their hand up and tell you if they no longer believe they can get the job done.

It’s not an issue for Slater obviously, being on the cusp of making it two wins from two series’ as coach, but the hierarchy at Blues HQ should have gone to Fittler after the loss in Game 1 and asked him straight up if he wants the job again for next year.

That’s madness you say, and yeah, I hear you, but what if, despite a potential second straight series loss for NSW, Fittler is still the best man for the job?

The time has passed where a current club coach could also handle the State of Origin job, and of the coaches who are no longer in charge of NRL clubs, the two most experienced men who have won premierships are Michael

Maguire and Des Hasler. Can you see either of them in charge of an Origin campaign? They’re both fine coaches, but the job description for Origin these days comes with a lot more than just X’s and O’s and producing a game plan.

Given how much media is required for both the Queensland and NSW coaches these days it’s hard to see somebody like Des Hasler being the face of the Blues.

I mean, there’s no flying under the radar for Origin coaches!

So if Brad Fittler is still the best man to lead NSW, he should get the gig again for 2024.

If the Blues lose the series his record in charge will be three wins and three losses, and while it will be a second consecutive defeat, there’s none of the pressures on the NSW Rugby League that usually forces NRL clubs to part company with coaches.

The sponsors aren’t leaving, the first two games of the series are guaranteed sell-outs, and the players aren’t locked into lengthy contracts.

Freddy will tell us if he still believes in himself no matter which way the result goes, and if he still thinks he can get the job done, with no obvious candidate to take his place, a chance at redemption is the best way Blues bosses can say thanks for everything.

Days numbered? Blues coach Brad Fittler. Photo: NRL Images.

CUP SIDE MAKES IT FIVE STRAIGHT

The Penrith Panthers have claimed their fifth-straight victory in the Knock-On Effect NSW Cup, defeating the Sydney Roosters 24-22 at Wentworth Park.

A run of penalties put the Panthers on the attack, breaking through when Eddie Blacker crashed over in the fourth minute.

Jack Cole got their second in the 18th minute when he trapped a kick and raced 90 metres to score, before an error following points put the Roosters in position for Riley Meyn to score.

Jesse McLean extended the lead when he picked up a loose pass and raced 80 metres to score, however Alan Holten reduced the lead to 16-12 at half-time when he darted over from dummy half.

lower grades report

The Panthers made a fast start to the second half, with Sam Lane finishing off a team effort to score in the corner.

The Roosters scored two further tries, however a 63rd minute penalty goal from Kurt Falls was enough to see the Panthers hang on.

It was an identical scoreline in Jersey Flegg as the Panthers moved to within one point of the Roosters at the top of the table.

Peter Taateo played a key role as the Panthers scored twice in the opening four minutes, barging his way over for the opening try, before storming through the defensive line to set Connor Mason up in the following set.

A loose pass was picked up by Tavita Henare-Schuster to get the Roosters on the board in the 13th minute.

Billy Scott scored a strong solo try in the 21st minute to extend the Panthers’ lead to 18-4, before Benaiah Ioelu scored from dummy half for the Roosters to bring the score back to 18-10 at half-time.

After a tight opening to the second half, Owen Flaherty scored in the 48th minute to cut the Panthers’ lead to two, before Riley Wake extended the lead back to 24-16 with 10 minutes remaining.

Former Panther Braith Alexander scored in the

63rd minute to keep the Roosters close, however the Panthers defence held on to claim the 24-22 victory.

Both grades head to Belmore Sportsground

Jesse McLean in action. Photo: NRL Images.