Extra Time Sep 6 2019 by Western Sydney Publishing Group

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FAREWELL JIMMY PANTHERS V KNIGHTS > P31 Struggling clubs look to finish 2019 season on a high

MASKED PANTHER > P32 How the Panthers fooled some of the game’s top journos

EXTRA TIME AWARDS > P38 We name our Player of the Year plus other great honours!

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Friday, September 6, 2019 « the western weekender • extra time

THE FINAL WORD

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 • 4.05PM | PANTHERS STADIUM | REFEREES: ADAM GEE & JON STONE

PANTHERS 1

Dylan Edwards

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

Stephen Crichton Dean Whare Brent Naden Brian To’o James Maloney Nathan Cleary James Tamou (c) Wayde Egan Moses Leota Viliame Kikau Liam Martin James FIsher-Harris Jarome Luai Spencer Leniu Billy Burns Reagan Campbell-Gillard Sione Katoa 19 Hame Sele

the western weekender • extra time » Friday, September 6, 2019

MATCH PREVIEW

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Moses Leota in action against the Roosters. Photo: Megan Dunn

TROY

DODDS Penrith’s sorry season comes to an end on Sunday afternoon when Ivan Cleary’s side faces Newcastle in what will ultimately prove to be the closing of a chapter for many associated with both of these clubs. James Maloney will play his final game in Penrith colours, while it could also be the end for Reagan Campbell-Gillard, with the drums beating louder and louder that he’ll be elsewhere in 2020. The match also offers coach Ivan Cleary the opportunity to start focusing on next year after somewhat of a mini re- build was ordered mid-season, with the likes of Waqa Blake and Dallin Watene- Zelezniak moved on, and a host of rookies blooded. Cleary will surely be looking forward to a

settled off-season – a far cry from what he faced last year – with a focus on building a team that can be competitive in 2020 and doesn’t have to go through a complete re-restructure. Meanwhile, the Knights also have their eyes set on what the future holds after a tumultuous couple of weeks that resulted in Nathan Brown’s departure as coach and the club’s management being brought into serious question. With one eye on March next year, these two sides will do battle in a game that means little other than finishing their respective seasons on a high and working out spots in the bottom half of the ladder. The Knights were great against the lowly Titans last weekend, while the Panthers again failed to convert opportunities against a Roosters side that was simply too good on the day and is on its way to bigger and better things through September.

TRIPLE M ABC 702 However, Penrith performed admirably against the defending champions and were far from embarrassed, not delivering the capitulation many expected. Truth be told this match is between the 2019 season’s greatest under-achievers. You look at the squads both of these teams started the season with and you question how they could possibly miss the Finals. Both teams have exciting fullbacks, high quality Origin- level halfbacks and a solid mix of experience and youth up front, but haven’t been able to put together a complete season of high standard football. There’s a chance in this game for both teams to show their fans what may wait in 2020, and prove that 2019 was simply a slip-up on the path to better things. I’m expecting a high scoring encounter, that is likely to go from end- to- end for much of the 80 minutes.

Kalyn Ponga

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

Bradman Best Sione Mata’utia Hymel Hunt Shaun Kenny-Dowall Mason Lino Mitchell Pearce (c) David Klemmer Connor Watson Daniel Saifiti Lachlan Fitzgibbon Mitchell Barnett Tim Glasby Kurt Mann Herman Ese’ese Josh King Aidan Guerra

The team that eventually does get on top through the middle will win, and that’ll most likely come mid- way through the second half. With the end of the season in sight, it’ll be the team that still has some belief in themselves that will go the extra level to get the two competition points. While Mad Monday beckons, we can only hope that the Panthers still have plenty to prove over the final 80 minutes of their season. Whether it’s holding on to their position for 2020, wanting to farewell Jimmy Maloney in style or simply proving something to themselves, the players need to approach this game like it means something – and they need to do it for the fans, who have put up with so much this season both on and off the field. I think Penrith can turn it on one final time this year, especially at home, but it’ll be far from a walk in the park. Tip: Panthers by 8.

Friday, September 6, 2019 « the western weekender • extra time

PANTHER RUMBLINGS

with the Masked Panther

API’S BACK!  A number of mainstream NRL jour-

nalists were certain that Manly’s Api Koroisau was heading to the Bulldogs next year, but Penrith officials sat back bemused and watched all the speculation unfold. Despite the journalists in question trying to suggest that Koroisau changed his mind at the last minute and joined the Panthers over the Bulldogs, the truth is the Panthers had the deal signed, sealed and delivered well before those Canterbury rumours emerged. The 26-year-old’s deal with Penrith will see him stay at the club until at least the end of 2022 and solves Penrith’s dummy half problem.

 Trent Barrett’s return to Penrith next

year is part of a wider shake-up of Ivan Cleary’s support staff for next season. Cleary has been monitoring the staff he inherited from Anthony Griffin when he joined the Panthers late last year and was always considering a re-shuffle for 2020. One man who may depart the club is assistant coach Cameron Ciraldo, who has been linked with a job at Newcastle for next year.

 I kid you not: The Daily Telegraph actually asked the Panthers where the team’s Mad Monday celebrations were going to be held next week. I don’t think they got the answer they were hoping for.

 The Panthers have confirmed a

partnership with Penrith-based OnePointHealth, which will provide health care services for the club’s junior representative programs, including the SG Ball and Harold Matthews squads, as well as the club’s Country Rugby League squads, from next season. OnePointHealth, which is located on High Street, provides a range of health services including podiatry, physiotherapy, sports medicine, massage therapy and other specialists.

 Spotted: Penrith coach Ivan Cleary and

trainer Peter Wallace at the launch of Pink Up Penrith last week.

 The rumours just won’t go away sur-

rounding Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and

Api Koroisau is returning to the Panthers in 2020 a three-year deal with the Panthers. He could replace Reagan Campbell-Gillard who will almost certainly be moving on at the end of the season.

 I reported a couple of weeks ago that

Josh Mansour had put his Leonay home on the market, sparking questions about his future at the club. While the Panthers have been disappointed with Mansour’s performances on the wing this season, there’s no suggestion he won’t be at Penrith next year. Word is the decision to put his home up for sale is related to wanting to move closer to family.

 The Panthers have again shown

their support to local charity WestCare. Members of the club’s Board were due to attend WestCare’s annual dinner at

The Coffee Club Nepean River last night. Panthers coach Ivan Cleary and his wife Bec were also scheduled to be in attendance, while former Panthers CEO Glenn Matthews was also set to be there. The event is always a massive success and one of the hottest charity tickets in town.



While there’s no Finals football for Penrith’s NRL team this year, the Canterbury Cup and Jersey Flegg sides commence their Finals campaigns this weekend. In the Canterbury Cup, the fifth placed Panthers face the eighth placed Wentworthville in an elimination match on Saturday, September 7 at 10.45am at Campbelltown Stadium. Later that day at 4.30pm at the same venue, Penrith’s third placed Jersey Flegg side will battle the second placed Sydney Roosters in a Qualifying Final.

 Good news: The Weekender has signed

on to partner with the Panthers for a further two seasons, extending a long-term sponsorship. Corporate partners of Extra Time will be happy to know the Weekender is moving to the Chairman’s Lounge in 2020 and 2021, and departing its Corporate Box. I never received an invite to the Box, so my chances of securing a spot at the Chairman’s Lounge tables seem small; however anyone interested in watching the Panthers in style next season should contact the paper’s sales team.

 The sponsorship announcement above means that the Weekender has rushed to re-sign yours truly for another two years. Despite big offers from elsewhere, I’ve agreed to return in 2020 and 2021. See you then and have a great summer!

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the western weekender • extra time » Friday, September 6, 2019

FEATURE

HUNGRY FOR MORE IN 2020 TAYLOR After getting a taste of life as an NRL player last weekend, recent Panthers debutant Billy Burns says he’s eager for a huge pre-season this summer to showcase what he’s capable of. The 20- year- old backrower became the ninth Panther to debut in first grade this season when he entered the famous Sydney Cricket Ground pitch during last Saturday night’s match against the Roosters. Filling in for an injured Isaah Yeo, Burns played 35 minutes off the bench in front of his family and friends – many of whom travelled several hours from Parkes in the state’s Central West to watch him play. Speaking with Extra Time, Burns said his debut against the defending Premiers was everything he imagined and more. “Playing the likes of Tedesco and Keary – blokes I grew up watching – I was a bit starstruck out there,” he admitted.

“My debut game was everything I imagined and more. You can’t really prepare for games like that especially being thrown straight in the deep- end against the defending Premiers. “It was a big game, a big test to see where I was at, but I enjoyed it.” The former McCarthy Catholic College student is the latest in a long line of young players Panthers coach Ivan Cleary has blooded in 2019. Not in recent memory has Penrith given so many opportunities to rookies in a single NRL season. Burns said he always held out hope of getting a chance to be a part of this year’s rookie class. “You always get a bit jealous when you see your mates debut in front of you but it gives you plenty of drive as well,” he said. “It was great to be able to debut alongside so many players that played in the younger grades with me too. “I never thought running around in the Under 20s, playing at 90kg, that I’d be playing first grade with a few of them guys. You always knew there was talent

Billy Burns at the Panthers Academy on Wednesday. Photo: Megan Dunn there but I never thought so many of us would progress.” When pre- season rolls around this November, Burns will be one of a huge group of players putting in the extra work in the summer heat to impress coach Cleary for a place on next year’s roster.

“It’ll definitely be a big pre- season for me, trying to impress Ivan and get a spot in the NRL squad,” he said. “I’ll be floating in between grades that’s for sure but I’ll definitely try and put a big case in and try and impress Ivan the best I can.”

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NATHAN

Friday, September 6, 2019 « the western weekender • extra time

FEATURE James Maloney shares a laugh with the media on Wednesday. Photo: Megan Dunn

AU REVOIR, JIMMY L AST DRINKS FOR RUGBY LEAGUE’S LOVABLE L ARRIKIN NATHAN

TAYLOR

After 11 gruelling seasons of first grade footy, champion Panthers five- eighth James Maloney will play his final game in the NRL this Sunday afternoon before he begins the next chapter of his illustrious career on the other side of the world. The 33- year- old two- time Premiership winner will take his talents to the UK Super League next season as a member of French club Catalans. While this Sunday’s farewell match against the Newcastle Knights is expected to be an emotional one for many rugby league supporters, Maloney doesn’t anticipate he’ll be needing a packet of Kleenex during his post-game lap of honour. “Everyone keeps asking me but it’s not that emotional to be honest. I’m not retiring, so it doesn’t seem like it’s ending. It’s

just like I’m moving on to another club, which I have done a heap of times before,” Maloney admitted. “It just doesn’t have that feeling because for me it’s not the end. It’s just another stepping stone in the journey.” When Maloney landed at the foot of the Mountains last season, he arrived with plenty of pressure and expectation on his shoulders. Due to his track record of multiple Grand Final appearances and NRL premierships, many Penrith fans hoped the man simply known as “Jimmy” had the Midas touch just one more time.

“I came out here looking to win a competition again and that didn’t happen, but I’ve really enjoyed my time here,” Maloney said. “I was a little disappointed with how we bowed out last year and this year not to be playing Finals is really disappointing, but hopefully I can leave here knowing I’ve helped a lot of these young guys develop in some way. “I think the club is in a strong position and Penrith should always be in a strong position. They are financially stable now and their junior nursery is strong. There

“IT JUST DOESN’T HAVE THAT FEELING BECAUSE FOR ME IT’S NOT THE END”

shouldn’t be any excuse for Penrith to not be a top club.” With Maloney vacating the famous number six jumper in the coming days, the focus will soon turn to 2020 and who will lead Penrith around the park next season. While Nathan Cleary will steer the ship, just who will be playing alongside him – Jarome Luai or Matt Burton? “Jarome has bought his time, he’s played in a few different positions and I think he’s ready to go,” Maloney answered. “I think Matty will come into that role where Jarome’s been this year. He’s showed pretty comfortably that first grade isn’t beyond him and no doubt, after a big pre- season, he’ll be keeping them both honest.” When James Maloney departs Panthers Stadium for the final time on Sunday, he’ll leave knowing the impact he had, in such a short amount of time, will be remembered by Penrith fans forever.

Panthers and Knights reflect on missed opportunities

ANDY RAYMOND and Bulldogs, losses that ultimately cost the Panthers a spot in the Finals. The Knights have their share of adversity as well with Mitchell Pearce and Kayln Ponga missing important games during the year. Like the Panthers, the Knights came out of the blocks slowly before stringing together seven straight wins to give their fans hope. But like the Panthers, the Knights also stumbled when it mattered most with disappointing losses to the Titans, Warriors and Bulldogs. There have been several shining lights for the Panthers during season 2019 that should give fans hope for next year and beyond. The emergence of outside backs Brian To’o and Brent Naden along with the form of backrowers James Fisher- Harris and Viliame Kikau means there’s better times ahead for the Panthers. While the Knights will be hoping for more of the same next year from the likes of Mason Lino, Mitch Barnett and Lachlan Fitzgibbon. This weekend the Panthers and Knights

Brian To’o has been a shining light for the Panthers this year. Photo: Megan Dunn may not be playing for a top four or top eight spot that they would have been hoping for, but they’re playing to finish

their season on a high and give their fans hope for 2020. Andy Raymond is from Fox League.

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he Panthers will run out for their final game of the regular season on Sunday against the Knights and know that season 2019 is the one that got away. At the start of the season most people had the Panthers in their top eight, some had them in their top four, and the true believers had them pushing to win the competition. The same can be said for the Knights who started the year as morals to make the top eight, but finish the season a couple of weeks earlier than they would have hoped. Injuries and suspension certainly haven’t helped the Panthers this season with James Maloney, Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo all missing football this year. After a sluggish start to the season the Panthers hit a purple patch of form in the middle of the year with a run of seven wins on the trot, including victories over top eight sides the Eels, Sea Eagles, Roosters and Souths in consecutive weeks. But in a season of ups and downs there were also frustrating losses against bottom eight sides the Titans, Cowboys, Warriors

the western weekender • extra time » Friday, September 6, 2019

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Friday, September 6, 2019 « the western weekender • extra time

FEATURE

FISH IS SEASON’S BEST It’s been a disappointing year for the Panthers, but there’s still been plenty of highlights. Here’s the annual Extra Time Awards for the 2019 season... Extra Time Player of the Year: James Fisher-Harris In what’s been an up- and- down year for the Panthers, James Fisher- Harris emerged as one of the club’s most consistent players. He’s made over 1000 tackles in the 2019 season, collected a couple of line breaks and scored two tries heading into Sunday’s final game of the year against Newcastle. Fisher- Harris hasn’t missed a game this season, and always played with plenty of heart and a whole heap of toughness. With an average run metres of 132 per game, Fisher-Harris is a deserved winner of the Extra Time Player of the Year award. Last year’s winner: James Maloney Extra Time Rookie of the Year: Brian To’o While a host of rookies have been blooded by coach Ivan Cleary this year, we can’t go past 21-year-old Brian To’o as the year’s best. The St Marys junior will have made 15 appearances by the time he runs out against the Knights on Sunday – a remarkable effort for a player in his first year. He’s scored eight tries, shown off some remarkable acrobatic feats and has rarely let his team down this season. Perhaps best of all, To’o plays well above his weight – his small stature certainly not getting in the way of his flourishing NRL career. Last year’s winner: Jarome Luai Extra Time Win of the Year: v Warriors, Round 15 The Panthers had to overcome a video refereeing blunder as well as a strong Warriors lead at home to come back and win this round 15 thriller at Mount Smart Stadium. A James Maloney field goal in golden point extra time secured the 19-18 win, but the highlight was Brent Naden’s 77th minute runaway try which levelled the scores close to full-time. It was Naden’s second try of the match in what was his best performance of his rookie season.

James Fisher-Harris has been named the Extra Time Player of the Year for 2019. Photo: Melinda Jane Controversy erupted soon after half-time when David Fusitu’a was awarded a try by The Bunker despite replays revealing he had gone into touch before scoring. Penrith had to come from 16- 6 down to win. At one stage, Penrith were down to 11 men after two players were sin-binned. Last year’s winner: v Dragons, Round 12 Extra Time Moment of the Year: Sharks hoodoo broken Penrith hadn’t beaten Cronulla since

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Extra Time Headline Event of the Year: Gus Gould gone! The Panthers were rocked in late April when Phil Gould’s shock departure from the club was confirmed. Speculation had been mounting for months about Gould’s future at the club, with reports that his power – which was once close to unlimited – had been scaled back. After years of re-building the club and being the face of the Panthers, the Phil Gould era was suddenly over.

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Don’t rob rugby league of its tribalism

CLINTON MAYNARD T

ribalism, what’s it about? It is the core of everything that is good about sport and rugby league. It’s about passion, it’s about emotion and it’s the primary reason hardcore league supporters are fans of the game. Last weekend a story emerged that the NRL could consider culling a club by 2023 in order to introduce a new Brisbane team. A second team in Brisbane would be attractive to the broadcasters when the next TV deal is signed and most fans would welcome another team in the Queensland capital. Three clubs have been mentioned: Gold Coast Titans along with Cronulla and Manly. The NRL needs to proceed with extreme caution and remember the mistakes of the past including the decision to axe Souths, a club that now has the biggest membership base in Sydney. I like rugby league as a sport, however the reason I watch the game is because I love my club. Like so many other Sydneysiders I follow my club because they represent the area I grew up in. I go to all my club’s home games because they are played in my local area. My passion is fuelled by

Passionate fans at a Penrith Panthers game this season. Photo: Megan Dunn seeing local players make the NRL side. It might seem like an old fashioned idea but they are the reasons fans support a Manly, a Penrith, a Cronulla, a Parramatta, because they represent that area. When the North Sydney Bears were

axed generations of footy fans were lost. There’s a reason the Sydney Swans have a strong supporter base on the North Shore, there’s no NRL team there anymore and traditionally league supporters in those suburbs hated Manly, so they’ve switched

to the AFL. If the NRL was to axe Manly, where do those supporters go? If Penrith is no more, can Panthers fans really bring themselves to support Parramatta and, if the Sharks are sent packing, are Shire folk really going to put on the Red V of the Dragons? No, many of those fans will be lost. Relocation is mentioned as an alternative. Personally I’d prefer to see my club merge. If my club plays in Perth it’s not exactly easy to get to home games, at least a merger with another Sydney club means I could still go to the football. I like many of the game’s fans love the sport because I’m a fan of a club. Players can come and go, the club can be winning one year, losing the next, but I and millions of other fans across the country and in Sydney in particular keep supporting our club because it’s our passion. Our passion can’t be easily shifted to another team. The NRL needs to understand what drives support for the game and that is tribalism, that is the love for a club. If a traditional Sydney club is axed there will be a group of supporters lost to the game forever.

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NRL LADDER AND FIXTURES W

Storm

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607

284 +323 40

2 Roosters

23 17

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347 +270 36

3 Raiders

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+154 32

4 Rabbitohs

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+98 32

5 Sea Eagles

23 14

480

414

+66 30

6 Eels

23 13

501

457

+44

7 Broncos

418

459

-41

8 Sharks

489

456

+33

9 W. Tigers

467

461

10 Knights

23 10

475

468

11 Panthers

23 10

359

464

-105 22

12 Cowboys

362

476

-114 20

13 Bulldogs

296

463

-167 20

14 Warriors

409

554

-145

15 Dragons

403

559

-156 16

16 Titans

354

627

-273 10

CLUB

+/-

PTS

FACE IN THE CROWD

Round 25

/ / / / / / / /

GET OUT OF COMPUTER TROUBLE

Thursday, September 5 7.50pm ANZ Stadium Friday, September 6 6pm Bankwest Stadium Friday, September 6 7.55pm AAMI Park Saturday, September 7 3pm GIO Stadium Saturday, September 7 5.30pm ANZ Stadium Saturday, September 7 7.35pm Cbus Super Stadium Sunday, September 8 2pm Leichhardt Oval Sunday, September 8 4.05pm Panthers Stadium

IS THIS YOU? Is this you at a recent Penrith Panthers game? If it is, you’ve won a Hoyts Family Movie Pass to use at any Hoyts Cinema in Australia! To collect your prize, visit the Weekender office at 2/42-44 Abel Street, Jamisontown and ask for Nathan Taylor.

Extra Time Issue Number 2019-026 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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Panther Flashback

SCOREBOARD NRL

ROOSTERS 22 PANTHERS 6

NSW CUP

SEA EAGLES 42 PANTHERS 34

JERSEY FLEGG PANTHERS 42 SEA EAGLES 6

Penrith’s premiership-winning 1978 under 23’s team Panthers win first trophy 1978 was a horror season for Penrith as a club, with John Farragher’s tragic injury taking most of the attention. But there was some rare joy for a still developing Panthers that season, with the club winning its first ever premiership – an under 23’s title. That side created history by becoming the first ever Penrith team to win a title. They thrashed Western Suburbs 23-5 in the Grand Final to claim the trophy.

Club officials saw it as an inevitable win – they had been chipping away at their junior development for some time, and felt that a title was on the way at some stage. That 1978 third grade side featured future first graders Steve Martin, Henry Foster and Warren Fenton, who were the ‘big three’ and spearheaded the team’s success that year. Mick Hartas coached the team while Ray Blacklock, who had played some

first grade that season, came back to the lower grades to captain the side through the back end of the year and through the Finals. It was a long time coming for Penrith – 11 years after first entering the NSWRL competition – but that first premiership is long remembered in the history of the Panthers. Unfortunately the success was not repeated in first grade, where Penrith finished 10th, having won just four matches.

BEHIND THE PANTHERS

Canterbury Cup Team Manager HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED FOR PANTHERS? Six years with junior representative squads and 14 seasons with reserve grade. WHAT’S THE BEST THING ABOUT WORKING FOR PANTHERS? Being part of a club I have supported all my life and having an influence on the journey of young players to the NRL. WHO IS YOUR FUNNIEST COLLEAGUE AT PANTHERS? Cup coach Guy Missio. I love the banter we’ve shared over many seasons.

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EXTRA MINUTES  Fox Sports News has moved to a new

state-of-the-art studio in Surry Hills. The 24-hour sports network commenced broadcasting out of the new facility on Sunday. Being located at News Corp Australia will provide greater opportunities to further build reach for the channel including utilising News Corp journalists as part of delivering their sports news service, including breaking news, for Australian sports lovers.

 Fox League is expecting Sunday’s

match between the Tigers and Sharks to be one of the highest rating NRL matches in history on the pay television network. Luck of the draw has resulted in Fox securing exclusive rights to the blockbuster do-or-die match, with Channel Nine stuck with the Panthers v Knights contest. Nine put in a request to have the games switched but it was quickly denied.

 Sydney’s Martin Place will be trans-

formed into a footy festival ahead of the 2019 NRL Grand Final. The NRL announced this week that it would create NRL Fan Fest over three days in Grand Final Week in the central Sydney area. Fans and Members of all clubs will be encouraged to be part of a range of activa-

Fox Sports News presenters at their new Surry Hills studio tions and initiatives for all ages. “NRL Fan Fest is all about celebrating our fans, their clubs and our players – and bringing them closer to the game than they ever have been before,” NRL Chief Commercial Officer Andrew Abdo said. The Fan Fest will run from Wednesday, October 2 until Friday, October 4.

 The All Stars game will return to the

Gold Coast, a decade after the inaugural match was played at the now Cbus Super Stadium. Indigenous and Maori male and female teams will face off for the second year running in an exciting doubleheader on Saturday, February 22. The All Stars matches will be broadcast live on the Nine Network, Fox League, SKY New Zealand and on NRL Live Pass. Tickets are expected to go quickly.



Shocking news for Manly ahead of the NRL Finals with star fullback Tom Trbojevic ruled out for the rest of the season due to a torn pectoral. He had surgery this week and will be back in time for the start of the 2020 NRL season.



The Cowboys have agreed to a twoyear contract extension with 25-year-old forward Corey Jensen.

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