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FEATURE STORY

One game from the big danceDallin Watene-Zelezniak has been a revelation this season. Below: Jamie Soward. Photos: Melinda Jane

W hen Jamie Soward’s rickety old field goal found its way over the cross bar at Allianz Stadium last Saturday night,

even Penrith’s harshest critics became true believers.

It took 24 regular season games, a top four finish and a last gasp win, but finally, Penrith have the attention of the rugby league universe.

The Panthers are now 80 minutes from their fourth Grand Final appearance in history and if you’re looking for a fairytale story, look no further than the foot of the Mountains.

This is a story of grit, determination and raw emotion.

Such qualities were on display against the Roosters on Saturday night and will be there again next weekend when the Panthers take on either the Bulldogs or Sea Eagles for a place in the season decider.

From the top down, this is a club with a point to prove.

Boss Phil Gould has been criticised, torn apart and questioned by many in the media, who now have egg well and truly on their face. His ultimate “I told you so” would be watching the Panthers lift the premiership trophy in early October.

Coach Ivan Cleary raised plenty of eyebrows when he refused to roll out the red carpet for players like Luke Lewis and

Michael Jennings, but has proven just what a quality coach he is by guiding a team of little-known footballers to within one game of a Grand Final.

At the club’s presentation night on Monday, he admitted that many probably questioned his sanity in the first couple of years in charge.

Jamie Soward? That story speaks for itself. He has matured into an incredible leader both on and off the field this year, and his road to redemption is the story of the season. He might not say it publicly, but winning a Grand Final would be one hell of an “up yours” to those who doubted him.

The rest of the playing group feed off this kind of stuff – and for the younger players who may not have had the setbacks of others in their careers just yet, they’re just enjoying the ride and daring to dream. The days of young players not realising the rarity of Grand Finals or premierships are long gone, and there is little doubt that this squad knows exactly how special and important this period is.

Many have said that season 2014 has reminded them of 2003, when the Panthers similarly came from nowhere and ultimately defied the critics to win the premiership.

Things are slightly different this time around, however.

There is no doubt that the club has

both the on-field and off-field skills and expertise to ensure that this success is not short-lived. What Penrith fans are experiencing in 2014 is the start of a successful era and the culmination of a re-building process. Plenty of clubs use that “re-building” term, but very few actually mean it – Penrith is an exception.

The plans put in place at Penrith have not been about winning a premiership in 2014 or even 2015. They have been about building a football team that can sustain long term success, and that isn’t happy being mediocre.

2014 will be remembered as a season of many highs, perhaps none greater than Soward’s field goal in the dying seconds last Saturday night.

It’ll also be remembered as the year Dallin Watene-Zelezniak entered finals immortality with a try assist that will be shown on highlights reels long after he’s retired.

It’ll be remembered as the year we re-wrote the rules on what teams with horrific injury tolls are allowed to achieve.

This has been a successful, breakout season for a club nobody gave a second glance at in the pre-season.

A premiership from here would be outstanding, but no matter what happens, the year has been something to celebrate.

80 minutes away from the big dance. Who would have thought?

TROY DODDS @troydodds

Get ready, Penrith. Something very special is building at the foot of the Mountains and the ride is about to get even more exciting. Can the Panthers reach this year’s Grand Final?

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FEATURE STORY

NATHAN TAYLOR @natetaylor87

Back from injury and ready to share his fi nals experience, Brent Kite knows the pressure of September football better than anyone

Kite leads by exampleV eteran Panthers forward Brent

Kite has probably played more finals matches than most of his teammates put together.

After playing finals footy with the Dragons earlier in his career, Kite then enjoyed some hugely successful runs with the Manly Sea Eagles culminating in four Grand Final appearances.

When the 33-year-old joined Penrith earlier this year for his 13th NRL season, Kite would’ve wondered if his streak of playing finals footy may have come to an end.

He joined a club that hadn’t appeared in a finals campaign since 2010, and according to some so-called experts, were still a few years off from appearing in another.

“I knew the team was on the improve and I had high hopes. It’s just pleasing to see that the guys are all playing to their potential,” Kite admitted.

But even though the Panthers were assured of a finals spot a month out from the season ending, there was still a huge question mark over Kite’s availability after he tore his pectoral muscle in Penrith’s win over Canterbury in Round 21.

“I was meant to be out for the season but luckily the tear in the pec was in the muscle and not in the ligament, so that

was handy. It was the longest lay off I’ve had for nearly my whole career, four matches, but I feel fresh,” he said.

“When I came back I was a little bit nerv-ous having not played for a little while but I got through OK.”

Kite knows he’ll be one of the go-to guys for his teammates this finals series, especially the younger ones who would’ve

grown up watching him charge into the defensive line during his days with the Dragons and Manly.

“I think the young guys are up for it… we’ve got some class players here and it’s a good feeling when you have guys like that around enjoying their footy,” Kite said.

“It’s great to be playing footy at this time of year.”

Brent Kite speaking with the media. Photo: Melinda Jane

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He’s the talk of the town aft er an incredible play that re-wrote the “never give up” rule book, but Dallin Watene-Zelezniak still can’t believe it happened

FEATURE STORY

Miracle play was a “fluke”A n unbelievable “fluke” has cata-

pulted the Penrith Panthers into the NRL’s preliminary finals, that’s according to the 19-year-

old kid that got them there.If it wasn’t for Dallin Watene-Zelezniak’s

miracle play in the 77th minute there is no Jamie Soward conversion from the sideline, and there’s certainly no Jamie Soward field goal to win the match.

At a packed media session on Monday morning, the young winger spoke of the moment when he scooped up a ball head-ing into touch back into the field of play for teammate Dean Whare to pounce on and score.

“It was pretty much a fluke,” Watene-Zelezniak admitted.

“The last month the team’s been big on playing for 80 minutes and competing for everything, that’s what was going through my mind.”

With Whare’s miraculous albeit oppor-tunistic try sent up to the video referee for confirmation, Watene-Zelezniak started to get nervous.

“When the on-field referee called ‘Try’ and went up to the video ref, I was think-ing to myself did I stay in or did I step out or when I flicked it back did my feet touch the ground… I wasn’t sure,” he said.

Fortunately for the Panthers and the entire Penrith faithful, the try was given the green light which in-turn led to a miraculous finish spearheaded by captain Jamie Soward.

“I woke up the next day and I still couldn’t believe it,” Watene-Zelezniak said.

“I still don’t believe it. This year has been a major blessing for me and to play first grade has been a dream.”

It’s certainly been a season to remember for the Panthers rookie who made his highly-anticipated NRL debut last April against Canberra.

Having played in the Holden Cup finals series last September, ultimately winning a premiership with his U20’s teammates, Watene-Zelezniak said no game in his career could compare to the intensity of last Saturday night.

“It was probably the most physical game I’ve played in my life,” he said.

“It was similar to my debut when I started cramping at the end of the game. On the weekend the game was fast and physical and I started to cramp towards the end.

“I also got hit in the eye at the start of the game and couldn’t see properly for 15 minutes. I had to push through.”

And push through he did.Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is all smiles, and why wouldn’t he be? Photo: Melinda Jane

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FEATURE STORY

Moylan named season’s bestJamie Soward and Matt Moylan took home the major awards at Penrith’s Presentation Night on Monday

N ewly re-signed Panthers full-back Matt Moylan has fought off stiff competition from inspi-rational captain Jamie Soward

and form hooker James Segeyaro to win the club’s Player of the Year Award.

12 months after winning Rookie of the Year, Moylan produced an incredible second season in the NRL, taking home the coveted Merv Cartwright Player of the Year Award at the 2014 Penrith Panthers Presentation Night on Monday evening.

Speaking on stage after the announce-ment, Moylan credited his teammates but also admitted the award win took him slightly by surprise.

“I wanted to get it but I thought Sowie was going to win it to be honest,” the 23-year-old said.

“The new boys that came to the club this year brought a lot of experience and I learnt a lot off them each week on how to prepare for games. The little things I’ve picked up during the week at training has helped me come along.”

Moylan’s pick for Player of the Year, Jamie Soward, didn’t go home empty handed however, winning two awards on the night for Clubman of the Year and Members Player of the Year.

The 29-year-old premiership winner was very grateful during his Clubman of the Year speech.

“Since I’ve come to Penrith I’ve felt like I’ve really matured and met some really great people throughout this organisa-tion,” Soward said.

“I can’t really put into to words how

much it means to me to be respected by a whole organisation so quickly. I’m very accepting of this award, I really appreciate it.”

Other big winners on the night included lock Adam Docker who won the John Farragher Award for Courage and Deter-mination.

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Bryce Cartwright were joint winners of the Ben Alexander Rookie of the Year Award, the first time the honour has been shared.

Ryan Simpkins took home the NSW Cup Player of the Year Award while Brendon Attwood won the Holden Cup Player of the Year Award.

Two new awards were also handed out with veteran Nathan Smith winning the Senior Education and Welfare Award and

young gun Dave Cowhan winning the Junior Education and Welfare Award.

Meanwhile during his speech, Panthers coach Ivan Cleary thanked the room for their attendance and gave an insight into his thoughts heading into next week’s preliminary final against either Manly or Canterbury.

“We started the year with 16 teams and now we’re going to be one of the last four, which means we have a 25 per cent chance of winning the comp… I like that chance,” he said.

“You don’t get this opportunity very often to be in a preliminary final, 80 minutes away from a grand final. I’d hate to waste this opportunity and just so everyone knows, we’ll be doing our absolute best.”

NATHAN TAYLOR @natetaylor87

Superstars Jamie Soward and Matt Moylan took home the big awards at this year’s Presentation Night at Panthers

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PANTHERRUMBLINGS

The NRL has announced the pools for next year’s Auckland Nines tournament. Penrith will be in the ‘Waiheke Pool’ alongside Melbourne, Souths and North Queensland.

Many Penrith fans would have been caught out by Channel Nine and Foxtel last week, with fans who recorded the game against the Roosters on IQ discov-ering that it cut off at the 75th minute. Players keen to watch the game back were also caught out, with Dallin Watene-Zelezniak revealing on Monday that he tried to watch his incredible heroics in the final minutes, but the recording cut off. Never fear, we’re pretty sure Dallin will see it on highlights reels for years and years to come.

Talking of Watene-Zelezniak, it would seem all but certain that he’s now secured a permanent spot on the wing. With Josh Mansour locked into the other wing, you have to wonder what the future holds for David Simmons, who still has a year left to run on his contract

with the Panthers. It could all come down to whether Simmons is happy to play out his retirement year in the NSW Cup, or if he decides to hang up the boots a little early.

Hertz has renewed its agreement with the Penrith Panthers and has signed a three-year sleeve sponsorship deal. Hertz first joined forces with the Panthers 12 years ago and in 2012 took the partnership to the next level as the team’s official sleeve sponsor.

One of the real highlights of the Penrith Panthers presentation night on Monday evening was how relaxed the playing group looked. Allowed to have a couple of beers by coach Ivan Cleary given they have some time off this week, the squad was professional throughout the night and handled themselves with total dignity.

A notable omission from Monday night’s big event was Panthers boss Phil Gould, who was forced to stay at home due to illness. After a weekend in which he called matches in Sydney, Townsville and Melbourne, Gus was floored by the flu and couldn’t make the event.

Popular forward Nathan Smith is still facing an uncertain future at the Panthers, with no deal on the table for next season just yet. Smith has been forced to play out the season in the NSW Cup but has plenty of NRL experience. If he doesn’t pick up another year with the Panthers, reports suggest that he’ll retire. Smith is a talented electrician currently completing his apprenticeship with HIX Group in Penrith.

The NRL has confirmed that next Saturday’s Preliminary Final against either the Bulldogs or Sea Eagles will be played at ANZ Stadium on Saturday, September 27. Kickoff is at 7.45pm.

The NRL has unveiled a new campaign to tackle bowel cancer and encourage Australians to take a bowel cancer detec-tion survey. As Australia’s second biggest cancer killer, each year 4,000 people die

from the disease and 15,000 cases are detected. The ‘NRL Kick Bowel Cancer’ campaign has been produced in collabo-ration with The Gut Foundation, Cancer Council NSW and Bowel Cancer Australia The campaign will run across the 2014 NRL Telstra Finals Series with the aim of raising awareness, reducing stigmas and encouraging people to take action to prevent the disease. As part of the campaign the NRL has launched a televi-sion commercial and a website which hosts a bowel cancer risk assessment survey along with tips and information from the campaign’s partners.

The Western Sydney Grand Final Lunch, hosted by the Luke Priddis Foundation, is gaining momentum given the Panthers may in fact be in the season decider this year. The event, to be held at the St Marys Leagues Club on October 3, features a star-studded line-up of guest speakers including supercoach Wayne Bennett and 2003 Penrith Grand Final-winning captain Craig Gower. Tickets to the event can be purchased by calling 4736 2202.

The amazing ride of the Panthers is doing little to help the Western Sydney Wanderers grab any media attention despite playing in an ACL semi-final this week and the A-League season being just weeks away. The Panthers fairytale has ensured that the attention of the media when it comes to western Sydney is well and truly on the NRL at the moment.

Speaking with my colleagues at Western Weekender HQ about their recent Cheerleader of the Year competition has made me even more angry at the people who want to get rid of cheerleaders from the NRL. Hearing the stories of how excited these girls are to be part of the finals ride, and the subsequent atten-tion on the Panthers, really makes you wonder why some people want them booted out of the game. Good on you girls – keep cheering!

Tyrone Peachey still had his arm in a sling at Penrith’s presentation night on Monday. A comeback in 2014? No chance.

Panthers in powerhouse group at 2015 Nines

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has locked down a wing spot at Penrith

Send your Panthers gossip atnews@westernweekender.com.au

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STEWART MOSES @theriff marn

The best team in the competition all season, Penrith’s NSW Cup side is just one win away from the season decider, but must beat Wentworthville this weekend

One eye on greatest prizeM inor premiers, Penrith, return

to Leichhardt Oval to take on local rivals Wentworthville in what shapes to be another

‘Battle Of The West’ classic this Sunday at 1pm, with a NSW Cup Grand Final spot up for grabs.

Penrith come into this game having earned the week off with their second consecutive 40+ scoreline defeating the Illawarra Cutters 42-6 and have won 21 of 25 games including their last six games where they have outscored their oppo-nents 230-56, to confirm their status as the best attacking and defensive team in the competition.

Wentworthville qualified for the finals in third spot bouncing back from a week one loss to Newcastle to advance to the grand final qualifier showdown against Penrith with a 29-16 win over Wyong. Whilst Wentworthville have one of the poorest defensive records in the NSW Cup, their attacking record ranks second only to Penrith with the likes of Hunt, Toutai, Kelly and Pewhairangi in their line-up.

In the regular season it was Penrith who prevailed on both occasions. In Round 4, Penrith won convincingly 42-22 at Ringrose Park and repeated the dose in Round 25 at Sportingbet winning 44-12.

In team news, Garth Brennan has made just the one change with specialist Holden Cup prop Andy Saunders named on the bench to make just his second appearance at this level in place of Mitch Clark.

Despite the well documented injury “crisis” at the club, Penrith has still been able to include eight players with 368 games of NRL experience that includes

the likes of the Naiqama brothers, Simp-kins, Smith, Capewell and Humble. By comparison, Brett Cook has named the same side that defeated Wyong with his side also having eight players with 117 games of accumulated NRL experience.

Wentworthville have done well to get this far in the finals series but I expect the Penrith juggernaut to continue.

Holden Cup Prop of the Year Andy Saunders is a surprise inclusion on the bench.Photo: Melinda Jane

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PANTHERS IN PICTURES

Matt Moylan last week re-signed with Penrith

Moylan is season’s number 1

Matt Moylan has signed a long-term deal with Penrith, and has emerged as one of the best fullbacks in the NRL. On Monday night, he was named Penrith’s Player of the Year, just 12 months aft er winning the club’s Rookie of the Year award

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Moylan makes his way out onto Sportingbet Stadium

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1. Moylan tries to break a tackle against the Broncos 2. Moylan with Ivan Cleary and Bryce Cartwright 3. Moylan streaks away against the Roosters last season 4. Moylan’s goal kicking has also been on showPhotos: Melinda Jane

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PRIDDO'S POINT

Well three out of the four semi finals wasn’t a bad prediction but more impor-tantly was the prediction that the Penrith boys would be sitting back and having the week off watching who they will be up against for a shot at the big one.

There was not many at all that thought the Roosters would not be in the Grand Final this year but now there is a real chance they will go out the back door like the Storm did last year.

Unfortunately I wasn’t able to watch the big game against the Roosters as I had a wedding, but I can tell you that I was sitting there with phone in pocket and ear piece in listening to the 2GB app, when it wasn’t cutting out due to poor reception.

I was sitting near a Sydney Roosters fan so it was just as big a duel in the sledging between us throughout the night as what I am sure it was on the field at Allianz Stadium.

The first half was a fairly dour affair but in all honesty at this point of the season you do not worry about how you win but whether you win as the whole season is now on the line. You don’t get remembered for making the semis or even making the Grand Final, you get remembered for winning the Premiership.

So to the result I missed out on, while I

didn’t believe the Storm could win this year’s premiership I did think that they would beat the Dogs.

Unfortunately their performance was way off the mark and to me confirms their dominant streak has come to end with back to back unsuccessful finals campaigns.

While the ‘big three’ are great players and they do have some good youngsters coming through I think that the domi-nance that they could possess over a game with perceived ease hasn’t existed on that regular basis it once did.

I believe Craig Bellamy’s biggest chal-lenge is finding the next generation play-makers for the Storm as a succession plan to bring alongside these current three. The stop gaps they have tried to play with have eventually been their downfall this season as the real challengers for the title possess four strong points of attack, hooker, half, five-eighth and fullback.

Back on the Roosters and I believe that if Jake Friend doesn’t play that they will go out the back door this week against the Cowboys as a dominant hooker is a signifi-cant requirement for sides these days as it takes that extra pressure off the halves to be involved in organising every play.

Like the Storm I think that the second of the past decade’s champion sides’ reign is coming to an end as I expect the Dogs to out muscle Manly in a close affair. When the Bulldogs maintain position with their big forwards playing a short passing game they are so hard to hold and I feel that Manly are running on empty and their young players just don’t have another level to reach for at this point in time.

The results of this week’s games are insignificant as all Penrith fans are wait-ing to watch the Panthers next week. Enjoy the week off, recover and recharge and get set for next week’s do or die match.

Storm and Manly’s best days are gone

Penrith fans have plenty to celebrate LUKE PRIDDIS

Luke Priddis won a Grand Final with Penrith in 2003 and is a former Clive Churchill Medal winner

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2015 COACHING STAFF REQUIRED

If you are interested in being a coach, assistant coach or a trainer, email: lmjrl@bigpond.net.au to request

an application form.

Applications for senior sides U16 to A Grade close 26th September and for junior sides U6 to U15 and

Girls teams close 28th November 2014

All applications are welcomed.

Enquiries to the Secretary on: 0407 132 602

Lower Mountains Junior Rugby League ClubIncorporated

2014 PRESENTATIONS

Seniors: Friday 10th October 2014 at Springwood Sports Club commencing 7pm

Juniors: Saturday 19th October 2014 at the oval

Sponsorship Packages are also available for 2015.

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To get an Information Pack please email us on: lmjrl@bigpond.net.au

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MOMENT WITH MOLAN

How brilliant was the Panthers versus Roosters game last Saturday night. I know a lot of people were shocked by the result but, to be honest, I reckon I was one of the only people that wasn’t surprised.

I know a lot of people suggested that the game was over after that Mitchell Pearce try late in the game but because of what Penrith have done all year I just couldn’t write them off.

I’m a Raiders fan, so I’m an eternal believer and dreamer but I still thought deep down that Penrith could come back and they did.

The main reason for that comeback was of course, Jamie Soward.

It’s almost boring to keep talking about him but he just continues to do these incredible things on the field.

Brad Fittler sits down with Jamie on ‘The Sunday Footy Show’ this weekend and he opens up like never before.

Jamie’s such an honest person and unapologetically himself. He doesn’t make any excuses or apologies. He doesn’t hurt anyone. I don’t find him offensive at all.

He was on ‘The Footy Show’ last Sunday, less than 24 hours after the game, and he was just an absolute delight.

I just find him so pleasant to deal with

and I just don’t understand why there’s this perception in the public that he’s not a nice bloke because I think he’s incredibly nice and I am a huge fan of his.

It was also great to see Jamie Soward and fellow teammate Matt Moylan win a couple of awards at the Panthers Pres-

entation Night on Monday, hosted by my colleague Tim Gilbert.

While those two have been the best for them this year, you probably could’ve awarded those awards to every single Panthers player this season because all of them have done their roles.

Even the ones who aren’t the rockstars or match-winners.

Meanwhile, I’m looking forward to Finals footy again this weekend with Cowboys and Roosters on Friday night.

I think Penrith would’ve really shook the Roosters’ confidence last week.

They went from being 80 minutes to a Grand Final to being two very difficult games away from a Grand Final.

The Roosters thought they had the game won and physiologically I don’t know how they’ll go in.

The Cowboys, on the other hand, will be missing Tariq Sims but Johnathan Thurs-ton is in career-best form so I’ll have to tip North Queensland.

In the other game, the Bulldogs are playing with so much confidence at the moment. Manly seem to have zero confi-dence. Unless Manly can turn it around in a week, I’ll have to tip the Bulldogs.

One thing’s for sure, Penrith fans can relax and sit back this weekend!

Sweet and Soward: He’s a true superstar

Jamie Soward

ERIN MOLAN @Erin_Molan

You can catch Erin Molan on ‘The Footy Show’ every Thursday night on Channel Nine

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We love all the Pantherettes, but this year Kirsten Collins emerged as the Extra Time Penrith Panthers Cheerleader of the Year. In a close contest, Kirsten got the most public votes and was named the winner of the competition

@wwpenrith

Kirsten Collins at Sportingbet Stadium this week

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1. Kirsten on the field dancing with the Pantherettes 2. Kirsten being named Cheerleader of the Year 3. Kirsten at Sportingbet Stadium this week 4. Now that’s talent! Kirsten shows off her skillsPhotos: Melinda Jane

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FEATURE STORY

A to Z guide to the finalsW ith so many Panthers fans

finding their voice during the finals, we’ve put together the Official A-Z Guide for

Bandwagon Jumpers, to bring them up to speed on the 2014 Penrith season...

A is for Adam Docker. Runs hard, tackles hard and will be fresh from an enforced holiday when he plays against either Canterbury or Manly next week.

B is for big hits. From Nigel Plum to Jamal Idris and Adam Docker, opposition players must require plenty of deep heat after meeting our big boppers.

C is for close finishes. We’ve had plenty of them this year. If you’ve only just jumped on board, you missed some amaz-ing wins over the Broncos, Cowboys and Bulldogs at Sportingbet Stadium.

D is for depth. With an horrific injury toll, the Panthers’ recruitment and develop-ment has been truly tested and has come through with flying colours.

E is for Eels. Where are they?F is for Finals. It’s the first time Penrith

are here since 2010, and last Saturday’s win over the Roosters was the side’s first finals victory since 2004.

G is for Gus. Thank you, sir. H is for heartbreak. That game against

Manly still burns.

I is for Ivan. The favourite to win Coach of the Year at the Dally M Awards, Cleary has proven himself as the perfect leader of the Panthers in 2014.

J is for Jamie Soward. What an incred-ible redemption story this has been. Unwanted by the Dragons, Soward has proven himself as a match-winner on the field and an inspirational leader off it.

K is for Kevin Kingston. May get the opportunity to go out of the game with a premiership, but will be forced to watch from the sidelines.

L is for losses that built character. Two matches against Cronulla come to mind.

M is for Michael Jennings. No, he doesn’t play for us anymore. However, he did produce the play of the day on Saturday night to give Penrith the chance to get into field goal position and ultimately win the game.

N is for never giving up. The Panthers had plenty of excuses to put the cue in the rack and give up on season 2014, but continued to defy expectations and show incredible grit and determination to find themselves just one win away from the season decider.

O is for OAK. Marketing gold – perhaps the best sponsorship deal ever? Yes, even better than Dahdah.

P is for Peter Wallace. He won’t be part of the charge to premiership glory but his efforts this year should not go unrecog-nised. Injured twice, Wallace helped lay the platform for Penrith’s season.

Q is for quick hands. Matt Moylan, anyone?

R is for rising stars. 2014 will be remem-bered as the year players like Bryce Cartwright, Tyrone Peachey, Matt Moylan and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak announced themselves on the big stage.

S is for Segeyaro. Surely he’ll become the Queensland hooker once Cameron Smith gives it away?

T is for tipping competitions. The Panthers have destroyed many a top tipster this year.

U is for underdogs, and how much we’ve enjoyed that tag this year. Every expert under the sun continued to write the Panthers off, and now have egg on their faces. The best one? Phil ‘Buzz’ Rothfield who had to watch his Sharks win the Wooden Spoon and may be forced to watch the Panthers in a Grand Final. How good is it?

V is for victory lap. Seriously, it’s becom-ing a possibility.

W is for western Sydney. The Panthers are doing their bit to keep rugby league’s

heartland thumping during the finals. X is for XVICLXXVII. That’s the number

of Panthers members in 2014. Roman numerals, of course.

Y is for yelling. Does anyone else not have a voice after Saturday night?

Z is for Zelezniak.Well, Watene-Zelezniak that is. Seriously, how good was that pass last weekend?

Phil Gouldextr

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As anyone who is in a rugby league tipping competition would know, being on top after 26 rounds is extremely difficult to do.

You can have different theories, like only tipping the favourites or the home teams, but in the end, tipping is almost an art.

It also involves a fair bit of luck, and of course some footy knowledge.

This year, we congratulate David Land-rigan from Redback Automotives, who is the winner of the Extra Time Tipping Competition.

After being involved in a tight contest during the middle part of the season, Mr

Landrigan eventually took the lead and was never headed by his competitors.

Mr Landrigan wins two tickets to this year’s NRL Grand Final – the hottest sporting ticket in town.

“We’d like to congratulate Dave on his great win – it was a very difficult season for tipsters with lots of upsets and teams like Penrith providing lots of surprises,” said Weekender Managing Editor, Troy Dodds.

“Tipping is an art in its own right and I’m sure Dave will be back to defend his title next year.”

Redback Automotives is located at 2 Lugard Street, Penrith.

Weekender Sales Executive Andrew Harris with Redback Manager Steve Bywater

Tipping winner heading to Grand Final

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The 2014 Junior League season came to a close last weekend with the Saturday International and Sunday First Division grand finals. Well done to all teams who played in the Grand Finals and congratulations to the 2014 Premiers.

The Premiers from the U7s (first past the post) to U19s will do battle this coming weekend against the Premiers of Parramatta in the Battle of the West Challenge. Come and be part of the weekend and sit back and enjoy some great football. The U7, U8, U10, U12, U14, U16 and U19s will play on Saturday at Wind-sor Sporting Complex and the U9, U11, U13, U15 and U17s will be played on Sunday at Sportingbet Stadium. The Sunday games will be followed by the Inaugural Indigenous All Stars vs Penrith All Stars game.

Whilst I have been talking about our volunteers throughout the season, I would once again like to acknowledge these wonderful people who work tirelessly throughout the year to ensure that the fields are set-up and marked, the canteens are open, all the administrative requirements are met, the games are officiated just to name a few of many things they do. Throughout the final series we had a number of club personnel volunteer to assist the Junior League in the management of these events which just shows the commitment these people have to ensuring that the game is available to our kids (including the older ones).

Remember: “Volunteers are not paid – not because they are worthless but because they are priceless.”

Congratulations to local juniors Bryce Cartwright and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak who were announced as joint Rookie of the Year winners at the Panthers presentation night on Monday night.

Big season is all over

JUNIORS

YVONNE PURTELL @penrith_juniors

T he John Cartwright story is more about the journey than how it all ended – but the story of his final game deserves to be told.

A legend of the Panthers, Cartwright played his final game for the club in front of just 3,870 fans on a wet and windy night at Penrith Foot-ball Stadium in 1996.

It was far from the glamorous departure that he deserved.

But those in the crowd that last night would remember Cartwright’s vintage performance as he turned back the clock to produce a stunning game that helped the Panthers to a 24-16 win over Parramatta.

When the famous Penrith Stadium siren sounded that night, Cartwright was in possession of the ball. It seemed fitting.

Earlier, he’d taken an attempt at goal, as so many retiring players do in their last game, but missed.

Cartwright held it together during a lap of honour, watched by only the most loyal of Penrith fans, but when he saw his father Merv in tears on the sideline, he lost all composure

“I promised myself that I wouldn’t get choked up. But seeing Dad crying made me break down too. I realised then that it was all over,” he would say later.

In 1996, the Panthers had an awful season – they won just seven matches and finished 15th in the competition.

It was a tough year for Cartwright, who had been there during the glory days of 1991.

In fact, when the Panthers won the premiership that year, Cartwright was in his best form – he repre-sented New South Wales in eight games between 1989 and 1992, and played 18 games for Australia between 1990 and 1992.

When he finally walked off the Penrith Stadium turf on that lonely night back in 1996, he’d played 184 first grade games for the Panthers.

Like many others, he would have a swansong in England – via the Salford City Reds – but Cartwright was forever a Panther.

The Cartwright name is synonymous with the Penrith Panthers.

Until recently, it was probably John Cartwright whose name was most famously connected with the

club in terms of the wider public. But Cartwright’s nephew, Bryce, must be on the verge of taking over that crown. Recently re-signing with the club for an extended period, Bryce is carrying on the Cartwright name at the Panthers.

John Cartwright would go on to join the rugby league coaching ranks, working with the Gold Coast Titans until the back end of the 2014 season.

The 3,870 fans who saw John Cartwright play his final game at Penrith Stadium back in late 1996 witnessed the departure of a true legend of the club.

The game may not have matched the heights of his stellar career, but it was memorable.

Legend’s lonely goodbye

John Cartwright

“I promised myself that I wouldn’t get choked up, but seeing Dad crying made me break down too”

PANTHERS FLASHBACK

TROY DODDS @troydodds

FROM THE VAULT

This is Ryan Girdler’s Grand Final blazer from 2003.Girds wore this fantastic blazer during Penrith’s trip back to the Leagues Club to celebrate their grand fi nal win in 2003. Reader Mi-chael’s son managed to get a hold of it when a spirited Girds took it off and threw it into the crowd of adoring supporters. Michael then managed to get the blazer signed by the 2003 team.

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