Extra Time May 5 2023 (Panthers v Warriors)

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THE
PANTHERS AND WARRIORS CLASH IN MAGIC ROUND MATCH PREVIEW: SEE PAGE 27 PETER LANG SEE PAGE 35 MASKED PANTHER SEE PAGE 29 IZACK TAGO POSTER INSIDE WARREN SMITH SEE PAGE 36
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FISH IS BACK!
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the final word v

It’s hard to know what to say after last week’s embarrassing loss to the Wests Tigers.

You could blame the rain.

Indeed, on a dry track the Panthers probably, maybe, win.

But it feels like there’s something more at play here. Let’s be honest, things haven’t been great since Round 1.

Sure, the losses have been close. But still, they are losses. Defeats that wouldn’t have happened in 2021 and 2022.

The wins have hardly been convincing, except for the Manly victory in Round 5. There’s a few issues at play.

First, it’s not difficult to see that the limited preparation for the new season has taken its toll. It’s probably no surprise Dylan Edwards is the shining light at present, because he didn’t have World Cup duties and was able to enjoy a more conventional off-season.

We also know the Panthers need a hooker, one that suits Penrith’s style; a style built with

Api Koroisau wearing the 9. But it’s not the only problem and it’s not an easy fix regardless, so Penrith must find a way for the Mitch Kenny / Soni Luke combination to work.

There’s a lot on the line for Penrith against the Warriors on Saturday afternoon.

Right now it appears Penrith aren’t as driven to protect their title and championship status as other teams are to take it away.

Unless the solution to that problem is found, this may not be the season we were hoping for.

But this is a champion team and you write champion teams off at your peril.

As the weeks roll on, vital cogs of the wheel will return – let’s not forget Penrith have been missing two international starting forwards in Liam Martin and James Fisher-Harris.

Nathan Cleary will shrug off that groin injury eventually, Izack Tago will return too and things will start to click again; it’s just a matter of how long it all takes.

I’m somewhat confident the Panthers will

bounce back and beat the Warriors on Saturday afternoon as Magic Round continues at Suncorp Stadium.

Sure, it’s about as ordinary as it gets losing to the Tigers, with all due respect. Yes, the Tigers played well but the Panthers at their best match and exceed what their opponents present, regardless of the weather.

Sometimes losses like that one, however, can be the kick up the backside you need. It should have come against Newcastle a couple of weeks ago, but the Golden Point win covered the bigger problem. The loss to Souths, while disappointing, was a last minute defeat at the hands of a quality opposition, so perhaps the message didn’t quite sink in.

Now, Penrith definitely know they have to improve – and improve a lot.

Teams like Cronulla, Souths and Brisbane are all making statements – the Panthers, the two-time champs, are yet to make theirs.

But Penrith has plenty of time, and with a

dry track on Saturday I think Ivan Cleary can get his side up for the type of win that would silence some of the growing list of critics, some of whom have short memories and an even shorter ability to show patience.

The return of Fisher-Harris is significant. Penrith have missed his firepower up front, and he’ll be a welcome inclusion against a big Warriors pack.

Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad is a huge inclusion for the Warriors and his return allows Dallin Watene-Zelezniak to return to his more conventional wing spot.

Under Andrew Webster, the Warriors are a much more committed side with a strong resolve.

But I’m not convinced they’ve got the points in them against a Penrith defence that remains the best in the competition by far.

I predict Penrith will make a statement here – they’re back, and don’t write them off just yet.

Tip: Panthers by 16.

match preview
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Panthers
A dejected in Bathurst last weekend.
TROY DODDS SATURDAY, MAY 6 | 3.00PM | SUNCORP STADIUM | REFEREE: TODD SMITH | BUNKER: CHRIS BUTLER PANTHERS 1 Dylan Edwards 10 James FIsher-Harris 2 Sunia Turuva 11 Scott Sorensen 3 Tyrone Peachey 12 Zac Hosking 4 Stephen Crichton 13 Isaah Yeo 5 Brian To’o 14 Soni Luke 6 Jarome Luai 15 Lindsay Smith 7 Nathan Cleary 16 Liam Henry 8 Moses Leota 17 Jaeman Salmon 9 Mitch Kenny 18 Jack Cogger 21 Spencer Leniu WARRIORS 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 10 Bunty Afoa 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 11 Jackson Ford 3 Marcelo Montoya 12 Marata Niukore 4 Adam Pompey 13 Tohu Harris 5 Edward Kosi 14 Bayley Sironen 6 Dylan Walker 15 Josh Curran 7 Shaun Johnson 16 Demitric Sifakula 8 Addin Fonua-Blake 17 Tom Ale 9 Wayde Egan 18 Freddy Lussick 19 Taine Tuaupiki ABC 702 KAYO FOX LEAGUE BROADCAST « the western weekender • extra time 27 Friday, May 5, 2023 WATCH IT LIVE ON THE BIG SCREENS in THE BASEMENT 51141
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nrl ladder & fixtures

ROUND 10

face in the crowd

here ’ s cheers

Favourite

Must-follow social media account?

Sarah’s Day.

Go to pump up song? It changes every day at the moment, but either ‘Party’, Bad Bunny & Rauw Alejandro or ‘Baby Said’,

NAME: JASMINE SALAS AGE: 20 SUBURB: KURRAJONG HILLS the western weekender • extra time » 28 Friday, May 5, 2023 EXPERIENCE PENRITH’S LEADING GYM 7 DAY FREE PASS 47 600 700 WW50628

Maneskin or definitely anything that is by Rihanna!

What do you love about being a Pantherette? I love the people I’ve met so far and the memories I’ll make!

CLUB PD W D L B F A +/- PTS 1 Broncos 9 7 0 2 0 234 164 +70 14 2 Sharks 8 5 0 3 1 237 155 +82 12 3 Rabbitohs 9 6 0 3 0 216 138 +78 12 4 Storm 8 5 0 3 1 170 146 +24 12 5 Roosters 8 5 0 3 1 147 154 -7 12 6 Sea Eagles 8 4 1 3 1 171 175 -4 11 7 Panthers 8 4 0 4 1 183 111 +72 10 8 Warriors 9 5 0 4 0 174 180 -6 10 9 Dolphins 9 5 0 4 0 212 223 -11 10 10 Titans 8 4 0 4 1 188 199 -11 10 11 Raiders 8 4 0 4 1 153 194 -41 10 12 Eels 9 4 0 5 0 222 188 +34 8 13 Bulldogs 9 4 0 5 0 145 224 -79 8 14 Knights 9 3 1 5 0 179 215 -36 7 15 Dragons 8 2 0 6 1 170 195 -25 6 16 Cowboys 9 3 0 6 0 145 213 -68 6 17 W. Tigers 8 1 0 7 1 118 190 -72 4 Friday, May 5 6.00pm Suncorp Stadium Saturday, May 6 3.00pm Suncorp Stadium BYE: KNIGHTS Saturday, May 6 7.45pm Suncorp Stadium Sunday, May 7 4.00pm Suncorp Stadium Friday, May 5 8.05pm Suncorp Stadium Saturday, May 6 5.30pm Suncorp Stadium Sunday, May 7 1.50pm Suncorp Stadium Sunday, May 7 6.25pm Suncorp Stadium
V V V V V V V V Extra Time Issue Number 2023-010 PRODUCED BY The Western Weekender EDITOR Troy Dodds / 4722 2998 troy.dodds@westernweekender.com.au WRITERS Nathan Taylor, Peter Lang, Warren Smith, Lachlan Jeffery SALES DIRECTOR Chris Pennisi / 4722 2998 chris.pennisi@westernweekender.com.au
IS THIS YOU? Is this you at a recent Panthers game? If it is, you’ve won a carton of Drink West beer thanks to the team at Drink West. To collect your prize, visit the Weekender office at 2/42-44 Abel Street, Jamisontown and ask for Nathan Taylor. Winner must be over 18. Drink responsibly.
‘The
Seasons as a Pantherette? One.
food? I just love food. Favourite TV show? ‘Gilmore Girls’ or
Vampire Diaries’.
Favourite Panthers player? Izack Tago.
If you were stranded on a desert island, who are you bringing with you and why? I’d bring my best friend Finn because he is my comfort person and we’d be useless together.

panther rumblings

HOW ’03 TEAM WILL CELEBRATE

! Reunion for the ages: The vast majority of Penrith’s 2003 Grand Final team will meet up next Friday before the 20th anniversary of the game against the Roosters is celebrated at BlueBet Stadium. Former Panther and key corporate figure Lou Zivanovic has been one of the driving forces behind getting the reunion organised. The 2003 players will spend Friday at the Drink West brewery and Brisket Boys, and are happy with fans to mingle with them. At this stage, it appears only Martin Lang and Preston Campbell won’t make it. After an afternoon of memories and Scott Sattler’s tackle being spoken about at least 150 times, the team will head to BlueBet Stadium where they’ll undertake a lap of honour ahead of the Panthers v Roosters game. They’ll watch the game from the CABE and Doolan Plumbing corporate boxes.

! Griffin truths emerge: The story that emerged about Anthony Griffin’s time at Penrith in the Sydney Morning Herald last weekend was no surprise to anyone familiar with the club during that period. Phil Gould copped a fair bit of criticism for sacking Griffin (pictured) while the Panthers were bound for a top four finish in 2018 but he was left with no choice, with internal dramas at the club getting more and more serious. Not only had the players lost faith in the coach, but staff had become increasingly concerned about the way he was managing the team. Several staff refused to work with Griffin, preferring to stick with roles outside of the day-to-day NRL team.

struction, marketing, rugby league and event management. Nominations close on May 12 and can be emailed to Brian.Fletcher@panthers.com.au or to Locked Bag 8322, Penrith NSW 2751.

! Dancing on: The players and officials were not the only ones dealing with the atrocious conditions in Bathurst last Saturday night. The Pantherettes powered on through the downpour – dancing and cheering up a storm despite the obvious challenges.

whole range of challenges along the way. Sensible debate is nowhere to be found in some of these groups.

! Paps backs Luai: I revealed long before it was a common talking point that Jarome Luai’s NSW Origin jersey was in serious doubt. It now feels inevitable that Luai will miss selection this year with Nicho Hynes from Cronulla to play alongside Nathan Cleary for the Origin series opener in Adelaide later this month. But Luai has a fan in injured Melbourne fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen. The Premiership winner, who bamboozled Penrith in the 2020 decider, says the club combination of Luai and Cleary should guide the Blues into the series and has backed the duo to shine.

bly the last thing they wanted to do given the conditions and the loss to the Wests Tigers, but Penrith players stuck around at Carrington Park last weekend to take photos with eager fans after the game (pictured below).

! Board vacancy: A year on from the Panthers’ Board elections, a casual Board vacancy has emerged. Applications are now open to fill the position of an Independent Director for a three-year team. The Independent Director will be selected by the Penrith Rugby League Club Board members, with the club primarily seeking people with experience and qualifications in law, accounting, commerce, con-

! Fans turn sour: Some of the behaviour by so-called Penrith fans on Facebook groups following the loss to Wests Tigers last weekend was nothing short of disgraceful. The commentary by some people in these groups is awful; not to mention legally problematic in some cases. I can only presume some are newer fans who don’t understand rugby league is about winning AND losing, and overcoming a

! Great read: A new State of Origin book by sports journalist Liam Hauser has just been released. In The Immortals of State of Origin, Hauser delves into the Origin careers of his top player selections, highlighting each individual’s triumphs and heroics. The Immortals of State of Origin is filled with memorable moments, action photographs and Origin career statistics; includes over 100 images and 26 chapters profiling the greatest players in State of Origin’s first 40-plus years. The book is out now. I’m told to keep an eye out in the next few weeks for a giveaway in the Weekender!

! Dedication to be proud of: It was proba-

! Hip drop frustration: The NRL says players, fans and officials shouldn’t be confused by the hip drop tackle. But it’s pretty obvious that everyone – from the average punter to rookies, experienced players and commentators – are indeed confused by it. Soni Luke should never have been sin binned for his tackle last Saturday night, and the Match Review Committee essentially backed that up with a low grade charge that resulted in only a fine. It’s not clear cut at all – and Ivan Cleary’s comments in the post-match press conference show the growing frustration coaches are having with the interpretations and perceived crackdown.

The 2003 Panthers celebrate.
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TO’O: NO WORLD CUP HANGOVER HERE

“It’s just a matter of taking it week by week. We’ll definitely turn up for each other week in, week out, it’s just trying to find that balance.

Panthers winger Brian To’o continues to remain his positive and upbeat self, despite Penrith staring down the barrel of three consecutive defeats.

The defending Premiers are in unfamiliar territory, having not dropped three games in a row since the dreaded 2019 season.

Speaking with Extra Time, To’o said it’s been a challenging few weeks with outcomes being decided in the dying stages of games.

“It’s been a tough couple of games lately, coming down to the wire. A couple of them we’ve been lucky and a couple of them we’ve pulled up short,” he said.

“It’s just about finding that groove again. I know our team will come together as a group and as a club and we’ll definitely come back stronger.”

To’o said last week’s four-point loss to the Wests Tigers in Bathurst was “disappointing” and the side were playing “frustrated” throughout the dire affair.

“It was one of those games where we were playing with frustration, things didn’t really come our way and we obviously didn’t nail a couple of things that we wanted to do and the Tigers played their best game,” he said. Asked what might be the issue to Penrith’s clunky form of late, To’o said the club is still searching for answers.

“I’m not too sure, we’re still trying to find the answer,” he said.

“Obviously it’s a new year and not everything is going to be the same; we’re still trying to find that groove and hopefully we get it back soon.”

Pressed further, the NSW Blues star shut down suggestions a World Cup hangover or lack of pre-season were perhaps reasons for Penrith’s slow start.

“Nah not really… I don’t feel like that’s affected us,” To’o said.

“I still feel like we have a lot to improve on. There’s definitely lessons we can take out of those games and certainly mistakes we can fix –we just have to keep moving forward.”

Meanwhile, To’o has shed light on his recent on-field accessory, his headgear.

Earlier this season, To’o began wearing the headgear after going without for the first 70-odd games of his NRL career. An inspiration to younger players, To’o said he wears a headgear now for a very simple reason.

“It’s more of a safety-first thing,” he revealed.

“At first I was taking the piss out of Critta (Stephen Crichton), but then I thought this will actually help me – safety first, kids.”

To’o plans to keep wearing his headgear for the foreseeable future, but he hopes commentators will stop confusing him with Crichton soon.

“Heaps of people are calling me Stephen now, he’s not that short,” To’o laughed.

“I’ll stick with it. It’s important to look after your head. To me, it’s more for safety precaution and a bit of taking the piss out of Critta.”

feature
Brian To’o takes up the ball against the Tigers. Photo: NRL Images.
the western weekender • extra time » 30 Friday, May 5, 2023
NATHAN TAYLOR

Penrith coach Ivan Cleary is taking full responsibility for his side’s shaky start to the season, but he assures supporters he’s working on a fix to get them back on track.

After spending much of 2023 in the top four, the Panthers now find themselves in seventh place on the NRL ladder with less wins than surprise packets the Warriors and Dolphins after nine rounds.

Speaking with the media on Tuesday afternoon, Cleary said it’s been a tough start for his troops who are battling injury and some mental and physical fatigue after a World Cup affected pre-season.

“We’ve had a pretty intense start to the season – real wars actually – we’ve had a few injuries too, like everyone else,” he said.

“I also feel like we’ve brought the best out of everyone, but I think we’ve helped that to be quite honest, particularly in the starts of games. We’ve only had that one game against Manly where we started in the first half to the kind of level that we would like, so that’s a lot of games that we haven’t, and then we’ve had to come back and, when you’re doing that, you’ve kept the opposition interested.

“We’ve been out of control, not in control too often and that takes its toll physically and mentally… but that’s no excuse.”

Cleary’s comments come after Penrith’s surprising loss to bottom-feeders Wests last

Saturday, which resulted in the joint venture securing their first win of the season.

The two-time Premiership winning coach said the conditions and lack of preparation were to blame.

“We just didn’t play well enough. Obviously, the conditions were a big part of that, and I’ll take responsibility – I don’t think I prepared the boys well enough,” Cleary said.

“I wouldn’t say it was a reality check or it was a bad performance, but there was too much bad football in there.

“We didn’t connect some good stuff together for long enough. We didn’t play the conditions well, which gave them the opportunity. It was their night, they played the conditions better.”

While some Panthers supporters are pushing the panic button already, Cleary wants fans to be patient. While he understands their frustration at the lack of winning of late, he’s asking the supporter base to give them some time to figure things out.

“Evidence is evidence and you can only go by what you’re doing and within ourselves and as a team we are far from satisfied with what we are offering,” Cleary said.

“It’s up to us to turn that around, but it’s obviously early days. No one is going to worry about the first eight rounds when the season is over. It’s up to us to square that up and fix it.”

Penrith will be hoping that comes as soon as Saturday against the Warriors.

feature
CLEARY CONFIDENT THE FIX IS COMING
Panthers coach Ivan Cleary is hopeful of turning things around. Photo: NRL Images.
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the western weekender • extra time » 32 Friday, May 5, 2023
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analysis

Ihaven’t had to write a column like this in years. Last week I asked whether the Panthers had lost their mojo, I said ‘yes’ but they’ll get it back quickly. It was the most critical thing I’d written about Penrith since the start of 2020.

Until this week.

The performance against the Tigers last Saturday in Bathurst was disappointing to say the least. This is taking nothing away from a Wests Tigers side which played their hearts out and deserved the win.

I’d like to think this column is not just a knee-jerk reaction after one bad performance. I believe the warning signs have been there for weeks, but this game exposed three areas I believe the Panthers have to address if they are to bounce back into premiership contention again.

1. Hooker – The team has struggled in this area all year but up against Apisai Koroisau, well he showed the true gulf between himself and both Mitch Kenny and Soni Luke. The Panthers’ service from dummy

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half seems slow and one-dimensional, it doesn’t ask any questions of the defence. After a promising start, even Soni Luke is showing signs that his initial crafty play and slight of hand are starting to diminish. An answer has to be found in this position because at the moment it’s just not working as it should be.

2. Attack – I never thought I’d say this but the Panthers’ attack really needs some work. Apart from rounds five and six, the team has struggled to score points and the attack has lost its crisp, fast passing and slick ball playing movements which had bamboozled opposition teams for the last three years. Now, passes are missing their mark, players are over-running the ball and every attacking play almost looks like it’s in slow motion.

3. Forward dominance – The side needs James Fisher-Harris and Liam Martin back as soon as possible. While the pack is still defending well, it misses these two ‘smash and bash’ players which made the pack so scary, for so long. Moses Leota is trying hard and Zac Hosking is a wonderful prospect but you can really see how the team misses the influence of both Fish and Martin. One more scary big bugger in the pack would be great as well.

Look, some of the things I have pointed out in this column aren’t exactly awe-inspiring, jaw dropping observations or suggestions. I don’t know how to fix these things or even if they need fixing but I know coach Ivan Cleary, the coaching staff and the players do. And that will make all the difference in the world.

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Penrith suffered their fourth loss of the season last weekend.
with
Photo: NRL Images.
THREE THINGS TO BE ADDRESSED lang on league « the western weekender • extra time 35 Friday, May 5, 2023
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THE NRL SERVES UP SOME MAGIC

If you’ve ever been to Magic Round you’ll know what a fun footy extravaganza it is, and if you’re yet to head north to be part of the festivities it’s definitely something to circle on your calendar in the future.

warren smith

This year will be the biggest yet, with the Dolphins and their brand new tribe, or should that be pod of fans, ready to join the party in hope of celebrating a ‘Phins Up’ win over the Sharks. If they do manage a victory over the in-form Sharks they may well head up the road to celebrate at the most famous watering hole in the known rugby league world, The Caxton. The stories about the pub that is literally around the corner from Suncorp Stadium are legendary, and you only have to walk past it before a State of Origin fixture or big game for the Broncos to know that when it comes to tales tall and true, you can believe every word you’ve ever heard about this Brisbane institution.

The boffins at the

Australian Rugby League Commission must have looked at the punters spilling out the door on these big occasions and thought to themselves if only we owned a place like that we could fund every team’s salary cap from here until the end of the millennium. But the Caxton Hotel hasn’t been on the market for over a quarter of a century, and given the profits that flow from the XXXX taps lining its many bars, it may not change hands in this lifetime or the next.

Well, as the old saying goes, if you can’t beat them, join them. Thinking outside the square, the commissioners at the ARLC did a 180 degree turn, literally, and snapped up another institution in the River City that sits directly across the road from The Caxton that hadn’t been up for sale since its doors first opened almost 70 years ago.

Gambaro Hotel began life as a fish shop back in the mid-1950s, but on the back of its famous mud crab dishes the business grew to the establishment

it is today, and the prospect of making it the foundation stone of a property portfolio was too mouthwatering for the ARLC to turn down.

So what do you do when you suddenly own a five star hotel that’s two minutes walk from old Lang Park?

You announce that all of the rooms will be named after rugby league greats, and while that process is still in the works, we can reveal that the most exclusive room at Gambaro’s is the MG Suite.

The former owners will tell you that MG stands for Michael Gambaro, the son of the original owner and the man who turned a fish shop into an empire, but we know better.

In the footy world there’s only one MG, and with the Panthers the reigning premiers when the ARLC ventured into the property business, it’s only fitting that best room in the best pub on Caxton Street is named after a man who could crack crabs the way he used to crack defensive lines, the one and only Mark Geyer!

Brought to you by
The NRL now owns the Gambaro Hotel.
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MIXED RESULTS FOR CUP, FLEGG

The Penrith Panthers have slipped out of the Knock-On Effect NSW Cup top five after suffering a 28-8 loss to the Western Suburbs Magpies in Bathurst.

With several changes to the side, the Panthers struggled in wet conditions. They got off to a horrible start, conceding two tries to

Jack Boyling within 10 minutes to fall behind 12-0.

Things went from bad to worse as Semisi Kioa and Livai Saukuru both crossed for the Magpies, making the score 22-0 after 27 minutes.

The Panthers enjoyed a reprieve when Shawn Blore was sin-binned for a shoulder charge, with the one-man overlap leading to a try to

Daeon Amituanai out wide shortly before half-time to cut the deficit to 22-4.

Back-to-back penalties against Wests gave Penrith the first attacking chance of the second half, capitalising on the other wing through Tom Jenkins.

Blore was sin-binned for the second time shortly after due to

dissent, however the Panthers were unable to capitalise as errors and penalties cruelled their chances.

In the end, former Panther Daine Laurie put the final nail in the coffin, scoring shortly before full-time to hand the Panthers back-to-back losses for the first time in 2023.

It was a better result for the Jersey Flegg Panthers, comfortably defeating a 12-man Wests Tigers side at BlueBet Stadium.

The match was moved from Windsor to Penrith at the 11th hour due to the overnight conditions, but it didn’t faze the Panthers, running in six tries to two in the 30-12 victory.

The Panthers scored in the opening minutes through Angelis Hotere-Papalii, but found themselves trailing 12-4 midway through the first half.

Quick-fire tries to Aston Warwick and Billy Scott gave them a 14-12 lead at half-time.

The floodgates opened in the second half after Josh Feledy was sent off, with Scott scoring his second before setting up Luron Patea.

A try to Addison Williams pushed the margin out to 30-12, where it remained until full-time.

In Round 10, NSW Cup faces Newtown at Blacktown on Sunday afternoon, while Jersey Flegg enjoy the bye.

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with Lachlan Jeffery @LachlanJeffery
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« the western weekender • extra time 37 Friday, May 5, 2023 Goulburn Moss Vale Katoomba Mt Victoria Parkes Stockinbingal Junee Coolamon Temora Gri th Hawkesbury River Muswellbrook Dubbo Maitland Paterson Werris Creek Binnaway Junction Orange Bathurst Wallerawang Merrygoen Rylstone Sydney Kempsey Byron Bay Port Macquarie Newcastle Co s Harbour Casino North Coast Rail Tour Golden West Rail Tour Riverina Rail Tour NORTH COAST RAIL TOUR RIVERINA RAIL TOUR GOLDEN WEST RAIL TOUR Book now at vintagerailjourneys.com.au or call Chris or Tammy on 1300 421 422 AUTUMN SEASON GOLDEN WEST 25-29 February 2024 RIVERINA 10-14 March 2024 GOLDEN WEST 24-28 March 2024 RIVERINA 7-11 April 2024 GOLDEN WEST 21-25 April 2024 SPRING SEASON RIVERINA 27-31 August 2023 GOLDEN WEST 10-14 September 2023 RIVERINA 24-28 September 2023 GOLDEN WEST 8-12 October 2023 NORTH COAST 22-26 October 2023 GOLDEN WEST 5-9 November 2023 ERPERSON ORSINGLE 5 DAYS 4 NIGHTS FROM$4,250 PERPERSON TWINSHARE ORSINGLE IT’S TIME FOR AN ADVENTURE Explore Regional NSW with Vintage Rail Journeys WW51154
The Magpies celebrate during their win over Penrith in Bathurst. Photo: NRL Images.

BULLDOGS BRONCOS PANTHERS SHARKS RABBITOHS TIGERS ROOSTERS EELS

RAIDERS BRONCOS

PANTHERS SHARKS

RABBITOHS DRAGONS

ROOSTERS EELS

RAIDERS BRONCOS PANTHERS SHARKS STORM TIGERS ROOSTERS EELS

RAIDERS BRONCOS PANTHERS SHARKS STORM DRAGONS ROOSTERS EELS

BULLDOGS BRONCOS PANTHERS SHARKS

RAIDERS BRONCOS PANTHERS SHARKS

RABBITOHS TIGERS

RABBITOHS DRAGONS

RAIDERS BRONCOS PANTHERS SHARKS STORM TIGERS

RAIDERS BRONCOS PANTHERS SHARKS

BULLDOGS BRONCOS PANTHERS DOLPHINS

RABBITOHS TIGERS

RABBITOHS DRAGONS

RAIDERS BRONCOS PANTHERS SHARKS RABBITOHS TIGERS

ROOSTERS EELS

ROOSTERS EELS

ROOSTERS EELS

ROOSTERS EELS

ROOSTERS EELS

ROOSTERS EELS

RAIDERS BRONCOS PANTHERS SHARKS

RABBITOHS TIGERS

ROOSTERS EELS

BULLDOGS BRONCOS PANTHERS SHARKS RABBITOHS TIGERS ROOSTERS EELS

RAIDERS BRONCOS PANTHERS DOLPHINS RABBITOHS DRAGONS ROOSTERS EELS

KEN HALE PLUMBING | 4773 9275 ken hale 083 HIX GROUP | 4721 7500 kane davis 083 HERTZ | 47316 344 james shillito 083 ROSS FOWLER & CO | 0419 738 484 ross fowler 085 KHP CIVIL | 4773 9275 jeff lemon 087 PARRAMATTA MOTOR GROUP | 0447 517 711 john veitch 087 VICS MAXI TRANSPORT | 4732 2195 victor glanville 087 RAINE & HORNE COMMERCIAL | 0417 228 530 philip habib 091 CATHOLIC CEMETERIES | 9826 2273 kim riley 083 TRESAMI COMPUTER ENGINEERING | 1300 318 444 lee banister 089 IRRESISTIBLE POOLS & SPAS | 4776 1118 keith wilson 089 THE WESTERN WEEKENDER | 4722 2998 troy dodds 093 2GB CONTINUOUS CALL TEAM | 131 873 mark levy 091 SUPREMACY FUNERALS | 4721 2020 donna hildon 087 LAKESIDE RESTAURANT | 0419 491 125 vince capalupo 085 FUTURE FINANCIAL SERVICES | 0414 330 651 alex mckenzie 083 JK WILLIAMS | 4725 3400 leigh hartog 089 O’DONOVANS | 0414 254 074 derry o’donovan 083 THE WESTERN WEEKENDER | 4722 2998 nathan taylor 091 celebrity
RAIDERS BRONCOS PANTHERS SHARKS RABBITOHS DRAGONS ROOSTERS EELS RAIDERS BRONCOS PANTHERS SHARKS STORM DRAGONS ROOSTERS EELS PENRITH TOYOTA | 8805 9500 garth butler 091 BULLDOGS BRONCOS PANTHERS SHARKS RABBITOHS DRAGONS ROOSTERS TITANS RAIDERS BRONCOS
STORM DRAGONS ROOSTERS EELS RAIDERS BRONCOS PANTHERS SHARKS STORM DRAGONS ROOSTERS EELS RAIDERS BRONCOS PANTHERS SHARKS STORM DRAGONS ROOSTERS EELS RAIDERS BRONCOS PANTHERS SHARKS STORM DRAGONS ROOSTERS EELS
RABBITOHS
ROOSTERS
tipsters
PANTHERS SHARKS
RAIDERS BRONCOS PANTHERS SHARKS
DRAGONS
EELS
MCGARITY PROPERTY GROUP | 0447 228 504 keiran mcgarity 095
the western weekender • extra time » 38 Friday, May 5, 2023

RAIDERS BRONCOS PANTHERS DOLPHINS RABBITOHS DRAGONS COWBOYS EELS

RAIDERS BRONCOS PANTHERS SHARKS STORM DRAGONS ROOSTERS EELS

RAIDERS BRONCOS PANTHERS SHARKS RABBITOHS DRAGONS ROOSTERS EELS

RAIDERS BRONCOS PANTHERS DOLPHINS RABBITOHS DRAGONS COWBOYS EELS

EELS

RAIDERS BRONCOS PANTHERS SHARKS RABBITOHS DRAGONS ROOSTERS EELS

BULLDOGS BRONCOS PANTHERS SHARKS RABBITOHS TIGERS

BULLDOGS BRONCOS PANTHERS SHARKS RABBITOHS TIGERS

ROOSTERS EELS

ROOSTERS TITANS

BULLDOGS BRONCOS PANTHERS SHARKS STORM DRAGONS

BULLDOGS BRONCOS PANTHERS SHARKS STORM TIGERS

RAIDERS BRONCOS PANTHERS SHARKS RABBITOHS TIGERS

RAIDERS SEA EAGLES PANTHERS SHARKS RABBITOHS DRAGONS

COWBOYS EELS

ROOSTERS EELS

ROOSTERS EELS

ROOSTERS EELS

071

BULLDOGS BRONCOS PANTHERS SHARKS RABBITOHS TIGERS

RAIDERS BRONCOS PANTHERS DOLPHINS RABBITOHS DRAGONS

RAIDERS BRONCOS PANTHERS SHARKS RABBITOHS DRAGONS

ROOSTERS EELS

COWBOYS EELS

ROOSTERS EELS

COMPLETE LEGAL & CONVEYANCING | 1300 COMLAW daniel mckinnon 065 PRD REAL ESTATE | 0414 620 532 darren latty 069 SYDNEY HELICOPTERS | 9637 4455 mark harold 079 BOQ PENRITH | 4723 7650 anthony walker 079 BIG SWING GOLF - PENRITH | 4721 1296 stacey mccartney 079 AMPED UP AIR CONDITIONING | 4789 2268 brett nicholson 079 PENRITH SOLAR CENTRE | 1800 202 930 jake warner 079 MCDONALD’S GARTON GROUP | 4721 2992 ian garton 079 CARTERS TAX ADVISORY | 4708 3088 ben carter 081 MACQUARIE COMMERCIAL | 0447 621 886 jacinda boyd 075 GOURMET MEAT CO | 4735 1400 bill mcdeed 077 PROFESSIONALS OUTER WESTERN SYDNEY 0418 245 683 terry hansen 077 COUNTRY BREWER | 4731 5444 dee barlow 071 YORK JEWELLERS | 4721 0780 douglas ely 081 KELLY PARTNERS | 4726 9666 charbel geagea 081 LEISURE POOLS | 0415 699 086 corey phillips 065 KELLY PARTNERS | 4726 9666 andrew berger 071 KENNO’S CRANES AND TRANSPORT | 0481 244 098 andrew kennedy 073 TOWNS CRANES | 0487 272 819 kane towns 075 RAIDERS BRONCOS PANTHERS DOLPHINS RABBITOHS DRAGONS COWBOYS EELS BULLDOGS BRONCOS PANTHERS SHARKS RABBITOHS TIGERS ROOSTERS EELS RAIDERS BRONCOS PANTHERS SHARKS RABBITOHS DRAGONS ROOSTERS EELS BULLDOGS BRONCOS PANTHERS SHARKS RABBITOHS TIGERS ROOSTERS EELS VISION PAINTING | 0404 459 600 hans bor 063 BULLDOGS BRONCOS PANTHERS SHARKS RABBITOHS TIGERS ROOSTERS EELS BULLDOGS SEA EAGLES PANTHERS SHARKS RABBITOHS TIGERS ROOSTERS EELS RAIDERS BRONCOS PANTHERS SHARKS RABBITOHS DRAGONS ROOSTERS
PRD REAL ESTATE | 0434 400 225
« the western weekender • extra time 39 Friday, May 5, 2023
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the western weekender » 40 Friday, May 5, 2023 WW48421
Western Property Your complete guide to real estate western Sydney FOR THE HOME OWNER THE HOME SELLER AND THE HOME BUYER 423 Put Our Winning Team to Work For You 9834 FIVEKEYMOMENTSBREAKDOWNHOWTHE GRANDFINALWASWON PAGE ught PANTHER PARTY PLAYERSANDFANSCONTINUETOCELEBRATEPENRI rianTo’oand Pho weekender the western PENRIT EWSPAPE Free P once unstoppable rugbustained past countless along - tality, Premiershipistory the greatest stunningovershadowed from Dylan claimed Clive player hardplayersdefinitiveParramatta.Sunday’s incredible the seasons.competition billed the West almost from Eels their the Mountains. Penrith 18-year collapse Final of down. The Leagues fan - Stadium has over Blacktown, - the west work, taking group starts THE GREATEST Cleary.Images. High PENRITH GYMYOGA OUTDOOR PENRITH GYM REFORMERScan for 10% OFF first order! THE FOOD YOU PETS HAVE BE WAITING FOR! NOW If your favourite location has run out, or if you’d like a new location added, please email distribution@westernweekender.com.au WWW.WESTERNWEEKENDER.COM.AU/GETAPAPER

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