It’s over: Finals hopes crushed

PANTHERS V WARRIORS

SMITH’SMISSION

POSTER INSIDE

LOWER GRADES ARE FLYING HIGH

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Fill-in fullback refuses to call time on 2015 season as wooden spoon looms

Finals footy ahead for NSW Cup and Holden Cup sides

Cheerleader of the Year nominee Jess Gilarte shows her Panther pride

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Panthers fans are stillholding out hope

MATCH PREVIEW

PANTHERS1 Will Smith

2 David Simmons

3 Isaah Yeo

4 Lewis Brown

5 Josh Mansour

6 Isaac John

7 Jamie Soward

8 Sam McKendry

9 James Segeyaro

10 Reagan Campbell-Gillard

11 Bryce Cartwright

12 Tyrone Peachey

13 Elijah Taylor

14 Tupou Sopoaga

15 Jeremy Latimore

16 Leilani Latu

17 Sika Manu

WARRIORS1 Sam Tomkins

2 Ken Maumalo

3 Jonathan Wright

4 Solomone Kata

5 Manu Vatuvei

6 Chad Townsend

7 Tuimoala Lolohea

8 Jacob Lillyman

9 Nathan Friend

10 Sam Rapira

11 Raymond Faitala-Mariner

12 Ryan Hoffman

13 Simon Mannering

14 Konrad Hurrell

15 Albert Vete

16 Sam Lisone

17 Charlie Gubb

A grand total of 551 players have worn the Penrith Panthers jumper in first grade since 1967.

Some of them became legends of the club – think Greg Alexander, Royce Simmons, John Cartwright

and Ryan Girdler.Others would start their careers at

Penrith and go on to become household names – Brad Fittler, Mark Carroll and Des Hasler come to mind.

There’s those who had short, but important stints at the club – like Petero Civoniceva – and others who arrived with fanfare but weren’t so successful, like Timana Tahu.

But every player, from Tony Brown in 1967 to Tupou Sopoaga last weekend, has something in common.

At some point, they were all told by their coach that they’d have the honour of pull-ing on a first grade rugby league jumper with the Penrith Panthers.

And whether they went on to play 242 games like Steve Carter, or just one like Jacques Moliner or Gavin Docherty, all 551 share that one story to tell their partners, kids, grandkids and friends – the day they were told they’d made first grade. The day when a childhood dream came true and when anything seemed possible.

All 551 players have a story. Some are stories of success that will live

on forever through memories and eventu-ally the history books – like Craig Gower, a born and bred Penrith junior who went on to captain the club to a premiership and play 238 first grade games as well as represent his state and country. Or Luke Priddis, who will always be the first Penrith Panthers player to win a Clive Churchill Medal.

Some stories are tragic yet inspirational, like John Farragher who only got to play

a handful of games before in a fleeting moment his career was halted and his life changed forever. When a scrum collapsed at Henson Park on May 28, 1978, Farragher became a quadriplegic and was told he would spend the rest of his life in a wheel-chair.

One of rugby league’s greatest tragedies ultimately became one of its most special stories, with the always-smiling Farragher still proudly working at Panthers today; embodying the spirit of community that exists within a footy club.

There are stories of opportunities thrown away or missed, stories of heartbreak, and stories of great achievement.

551 stories and through different genera-tions, Penrith fans have been there to watch each of them unfold.

Those fans will forever talk about 1991 and 2003 and the stories of the players associated with those titles – as they should.

But in truth, the real fans will talk about 1973, 1980, 2001 and 2007.

Those wooden spoon seasons may have been significant lows for the club, but it is in your darkest days that you often build the character required to rise to the top.

In the time of darkest defeat, victory may be nearest.

Last weekend’s disastrous performance against Parramatta was a low point in what has been a season to forget for Penrith.

But this is not the time to play the blame

game and it is certainly not the time to pull up stumps and stop supporting the team you love, as tempting as it may be to stay away from Pepper Stadium on Saturday.

In the wooden spoon year of 1980, in which Penrith won just two matches, Royce Simmons made his first grade debut and one of 551 stories began.

What a story it was, too.In the wooden spoon year of 2001, Luke

Lewis and Luke Rooney both made their first grade debuts and were premiership winners two years later.

2007? Michael Jennings and Tim Grant burst onto the first grade scene.

If you’re not there when the stories are in the first chapter, and if you’re not there for the darkest moments of those stories, victory just isn’t quite as sweet.

17 stories are still unfolding in the Penrith team that will take on the Warriors on Saturday.

Some will later reflect on these times as the opportunity that allowed them to achieve great success.

But if any of the 17 aren’t committed to giving 100 per cent to the Penrith jumper, even with the finals now not even a math-ematical hope, then perhaps this is the time their individual stories take a turn down the road of regret.

If that is the case, number 552 is waiting for the call.

I have no idea who will win Saturday’s match between Penrith and the Warriors.

Both sides are without key players and both appear to be wishing and hoping for full-time to be called on the season.

But I do know that when Penrith’s time does come again, and it will be soon, I’ll remember this lowly round 23 match on a Saturday evening at Penrith Stadium.

Because it’s inevitable that at some point during the 80 minutes, there will be a flicker of hope.

And as a rugby league fan, particularly one who goes for the Panthers, sometimes a flicker is all you need.

Get out to the footy on Saturday. There’s a story just waiting to be told.

TROY DODDS @troydodds

The best story is still to come

FACT CHECK Both sides go into this

match without their first choice halfbacks

The Warriors’ winning percentage at Penrith Stadium is 40 per cent

In their last 30 match-es, Penrith have won 16, the Warriors have won 13 and there has been one drawn match

PANTHERS V WARRIORS

SATURDAY, AUGUST 15 • 5.30PM

PEPPER STADIUM

REFEREES: ASHLEY KLEIN

AND CHRIS JAMES

TV: FOX SPORTS LIVE 5.30PM

RADIO: 2GB LIVE 5.30PM

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» The Panthers will wear a very special Indigenous jersey this weekend against the Warriors. Designed in conjunction with Kari Aboriginal Resources and de-signer Danielle Mate, the artwork takes its inspiration from the services and support Kari provides to a multitude of families and communities. Kari is represented by the largest circle on the front of the jersey, with its arms reaching out to the smaller circles, symbolising those who are touched by their tireless work. A number of players will also wear special Indigenous boots this weekend.

» It is impossible to know exactly what he was thinking at the time, but Elijah Taylor’s reaction to Ivan Cleary’s admis-sion in the post-match press conference last weekend that the Panthers won’t make the finals was extraordinary. It appeared as though the reality of the situ-ation hit Taylor, in what was an awkward yet very emotional and raw moment. If you haven’t had the chance to see it, jump onto the Panthers website.

» Eyebrows were raised at Panthers HQ this week when a number of play-ers failed to arrive on time for a planned media session, leaving journalists to wait and creating a clash with another planned meeting. It is likely the players in ques-tion will be fined by the club.

» Former Panthers legend Ryan Girdler is involved in a coffee war on Sydney’s northern beaches. Girdler runs the very popular coffee shop Girdler’s Grind in Dee Why, but is facing competition from The Beach Shed, which is located in a prime position on the shoreline. Girdler’s cafe is located in the street behind, along with other cafes. Our man Girds believes that The Beach Shed is operating outside the boundaries of its lease, which essentially allows it to run as a kiosk. The local Coun-cil is involved and it appears the war is far from over.

» Penrith’s post-season trip to Hawaii to play the Broncos is off. The club simply can’t make the logistics work and needs to focus on a strong pre-season after the disastrous 2015 season.

» Isaac John has been told by the Pan-thers that he won’t be at the club next season. John said last week that he is keen to have a strong finish to the season with Penrith but admitted his future is uncertain at this point. John is a solid player and would make a quality back-up half for any NRL side still on the hunt for 2016 and beyond.

» With Penrith’s season all but over and following another small setback, fullback Matt Moylan won’t return to the field this

season. Moylan most likely would have pushed to return this weekend or next if Penrith was still in the hunt for the finals, but there’s no point risking him for a handful of games that won’t make a great deal of difference to Penrith’s 2015 result.

» Don’t forget that you’re all invited to the launch of the Men of League Penrith later this month. The launch event will be held at the Tattersalls Hotel on August 27 with special guest Mark Geyer in attend-ance. The cost to attend the launch event is $20 which includes two drinks and fin-ger food. For more information, contact Alex McKenzie on 0414 330 651 or email penrith@menofleague.com.

» Spotted: Panthers players Jamie Soward, Bryce Cartwright and Tyrone Peachey had a great time at the FFA Cup match between the Wanderers and Bris-bane at Pepper Stadium on Tuesday.

PANTHER RUMBLINGS with the Masked Panther

SEND YOUR PANTHERS GOSSIP ATNEWS@WESTERNWEEKENDER.COM.AU

SPECIAL NEW JERSEY FOR PANTHERS

Jamie Soward, Tyrone Peachey and James Segeyaro show off their Indigenous boots. Photo: Megan Dunn

Photo: Megan Dunn

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A year’s a long time in footy.

12 months ago Will Smith and his Panthers teammates were prepar-ing for a tilt at the NRL premier-ship.

One year later Smith and his weary men are fighting to save themselves from the dreaded wooden spoon.

Penrith’s 2015 finals hopes were officially extinguished last Saturday night when they were beaten by an equally as dread-ful Parramatta in one of the worst games of the season.

A win against the Eels in tropical Darwin could’ve seen the Panthers still in the mix for a top eight spot, instead the six point loss sees them languishing at the bottom end of the table, just two points from last.

“We had so many chances on their line in the first half, that it was really dishearten-ing to not come away with points after all those drop outs,” Smith told Extra Time.

“When we could see the Eels getting fatigued and we still couldn’t score, that frustrated us even more.”

The handy utility even got himself over the line during Penrith’s multiple attack-

ing raids but had his try taken away after Parramatta fullback Reece Robinson stripped the ball loose over the line.

With just four games remaining before the end of the year, the fill-in fullback said now isn’t the time to give up.

“We’re still going to turn up each week and try our best,” Smith said.

“We don’t train to lose, we’re here to win all the time, that’s what this business is all about – winning.”

The Panthers will be hoping to end their five game losing streak and get back to winning this Saturday night when they take on the struggling New Zealand Warri-ors at Pepper Stadium.

The Warriors’ season has been in freefall ever since the season-ending injury to star playmaker Shaun Johnson but Smith believes they are still a huge threat.

“They’re a powerful team and we’ll need to stand up and match them,” he said.

NATHAN TAYLOR natetaylor87

FEATURE STORY

Panthers to show some fi ght

Will Smith kicking off against Canberra last month. Photo: 77 Media

Penrith’s finals chances have evaporated but Will Smith says now is not the time to give up...

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KEV’S KORNER

ROOKIES ARE STANDING UP

While the team aren’t getting the results at the moment, a few play-ers have emerged this season to be

potentially long term first graders if they keep developing.

I’m talking about Waqa Blake and Reagan Campbell–Gillard who both debuted this season. Reggie in particular has exceeded expectations and has been a shining light this year. In a season where the team has battled hard for wins and fought through numerous challenges, he has had to take on more responsibility up front. He has embraced the role, playing big minutes and is rack-ing up the metres.

I’m sure if you asked Waqa Blake at the start of the season would he play 16 games this year and score some acrobatic tries along the way, he wouldn’t have believed it. With a strong off-season and pre-season, he was always destined to get a crack this year, it was only a matter of time. But when you have injuries you have opportunities, the opportunity he has grabbed with both hands. He has had to work really hard on his game – almost glued to Dave Simmons trying to absorb as much information as possible and

learning some tough lessons along the way, lessons we will see the benefit of in the coming season when he continues to develop. Next season will show the benefits of some of our rookies getting thrown in the deep end this season.

There are brighter times ahead, so hang tough Panthers fans and we’ll see you at Pepper Stadium on Saturday.

WITH KEVIN KINGSTON

Reagan Campbell-Gillard

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Years supporting the Panthers: For as long as I can remember.Favourite current Panther and ex-Panther? Josh Mansour and Ryan Girdler. Why do you support the Panthers? Penrith born and raised, and also I was born in 1991 . The year of our first premiership. What’s your best Panthers memo-ry? The 2003 Grand Final.What’s your prized piece of Pan-thers memorabilia that you’d never sell? It would have to be my jersey and head piece. If the Panthers won the 2015 Grand Final, how would you react? Party harder then I ever have!Would you ever get a Panthers tat-too and where would you get it? Yes I would get a tattoo. I’d get it on my forearm.

NRL LADDER & FIXTURESCLUB PD W D L B F A +/- PTS

1 Broncos 20 15 0 5 2 477 334 +143 34

2 Cowboys 20 15 0 5 2 471 381 +90 34

3 Roosters 20 14 0 6 2 475 262 +213 32

4 Rabbitohs 20 12 0 8 2 404 340 +64 28

5 Sharks 20 12 0 8 2 380 386 -6 28

6 Storm 20 11 0 9 2 402 312 +90 26

7 Dragons 20 10 0 10 2 352 306 +46 24

8 Bulldogs 20 10 0 10 2 408 408 0 24

9 Sea Eagles 20 9 0 11 2 392 390 +2 22

10 Warriors 20 9 0 11 2 381 438 -57 22

11 Raiders 20 8 0 12 2 479 473 +6 20

12 Eels 20 8 0 12 2 358 466 -108 20

13 W. Tigers 20 7 0 13 2 371 450 -79 18

14 Panthers 20 7 0 13 2 315 402 -87 18

15 Titans 20 7 0 13 2 357 520 -163 18

16 Knights 20 6 0 14 2 384 538 -154 16

ROUND 23

Cowboys v RabbitohsThursday, August 13, 7.45pm

1300 Smiles Stadium

Broncos v DragonsFriday, August 14, 7.45pm

Suncorp Stadium

Tigers v KnightsSaturday, August 15, 3pm Campbelltown Stadium

Panthers v WarriorsSaturday, August 15, 5.30pm

Pepper Stadium

Roosters v EelsSaturday, August 15, 7.30pm

Allianz Stadium

Raiders v Sea EaglesSunday, August 16, 2pm

GIO Stadium

Bulldogs v TitansSunday, August 16, 4pm Central Coast Stadium

Sharks v StormMonday, August 17, 7pm

Remondis Stadium

Extra Time Issue Number 024

PRINTED BY Spotpress Pty Ltd / PRODUCED BY The Western Weekender

EDITOR Troy Dodds / 4722 2998 / troy.dodds@westernweekender.com.au

CONTRIBUTORS Nathan Taylor / Kevin Kingston / Steve Hart / Stew Moses

SALES MANAGER Simon Gould / 4722 2998 simon.gould@westernweekender.com.au

ROBERT D’AGOSTINOPenrith

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An injury-ravaged Penrith side has overcome a horror start to courageous-ly defeat Mounties to re-join a four-way race for the minor premiership with a 30-22 win at Pepper Stadium.

The win not only secures Penrith’s spot in the finals but was arguably their gutsiest win in 2015 given Garth Bren-nan’s side featured no less than five eligible Holden Cup players including debutant back-rower Corey Harawira-Naera after experienced back-rowers Tupou Sopoaga and Ben Murdoch-Masila were late withdrawals.

Despite welcoming back Adam Docker from injury, the Panthers were up against a Mounties side bristling with plenty of NRL experience.

The win for the defending premiers looked anything but possible after Mounties shell-shocked the Panthers with three tries in the opening 12 minutes before the Panthers opened their account three minutes later when Eddie Aiono scored in the corner.

Further converted tries to Sam Scarlett and Chris Smith saw Penrith remarkably lead 18-16 at half-time de-spite losing Adrian Davis to injury.

A try for both sides in the opening 10 minutes of the second half saw scores

level at 22-all before a simple Harawira-Naera penalty goal allowed the Pan-thers to reclaim the lead.

Penrith’s injury woes continued when Rodney Coates and Brendan Attwood were forced out of the game and at one point had zero interchange players when Andy Saunders came off tempo-rarily with concussion.

With the game still in the balance, a scuffle between former team-mates Sam Anderson and Kyle O’Donnell saw both players sent to the sin-bin for 10 minutes.

Penrith adapted to the 12-a-side affair the better and sealed the game nine minutes from time with a try to Kieran Moss.

This Saturday, the Panthers travel to the iconic Henson Park to take on a Newtown Jets side that will be desper-ate for the win to keep their finals hopes alive.

Newtown come into this game having drawn against the Wests Tigers but are one of few sides that have the wood over Penrith recently, having won their previous two games including their Round 3 clash at Pepper Stadium when the Jets prevailed against the 12-man Panthers 22-8.

HOLDEN CUP NSW CUP

PANTHERS PREPARE TO GROUND JETS AFTER CLIMBING OVER MOUNTIES

Penrith’s Holden Cup team have shown their first grade counterparts what a flogging of arch-rivals Parramatta should look like, with a convincing 36-12 win last weekend.

Played on Sunday afternoon, follow-ing Penrith’s first grade loss to the Eels in Darwin the night before, the compe-tition-leading Panthers were on fire at Ringrose Park, belting the Eels six tries to two.

It didn’t take long for Penrith to get over the line first with fullback Dylan Edwards scoring the opening try of the match. Nathan Cleary slotted over the conversion to put the Panthers up 6-0.

20 minutes later Penrith were in again when Soni Luke charged down a mid-field kick before re-gathering and offloading the ball to Jarome Luai, who raced 40m to score.

Once again Cleary’s kick was success-ful, putting Penrith up 12-0.

With the Eels defence tiring, a barn-storming Thomson Tuigamala was next to score, strolling over the stripe virtu-ally untouched and next to the posts. Cleary made it three from three to put the Panthers up 18-0 at half-time.

When players hit the field for the sec-ond half, it was the Eels who got on the

board first through Joshua Aloiai.The Panthers hit back immediately,

however, with Christian Crichton the benefactor of some great lead up work by Dylan Edwards.

Cleary’s conversion once again ex-tended Penrith’s lead to 18.

Moments later Soni Luke was reward-ed with his own try after his grubber deflected off an Eels player and back into his hands, allowing him to dive over and score the most opportunistic try of the afternoon.

Parramatta managed to cross the line once more through centre Tui Oloapu before the Panthers sprinkled salt into the wounds with Moses Leota getting over. Nathan Cleary continued his im-pressive form with the boot, kicking a perfect six from six to bury the Eels.

One of the game’s lowlights came in just the second minute when lovable Panthers prop Stanton Albert suffered a serious knee injury, forcing him off the field for the rest of the match.

This Saturday afternoon the first-placed Penrith Panthers will look to continue their brilliant form heading into the finals when they return to Pep-per Stadium to take on the fifth-placed New Zealand Warriors at 3.15pm.

PANTHERS LOSE STANTON ALBERT TO INJURY BUT BREEZE PAST EELS AS FINALS GET CLOSER

BY NATHAN TAYLOR @natetaylor87

BY STEW MOSES @TheRiffMarn

HART TO HARTLOVERS OF RUGBY LEAGUE WILL BE TREATED TO UNPARALLELED COVERAGE WITH FOX SPORTS SHOWCASING EVERY MATCH, INCLUDING UP TO FIVE LIVE GAMES EACH ROUND PLUS A NEW EXTENDED LINE-UP OF ENTERTAINMENT SHOWS FROM MONDAY TO THURSDAY.

HAVE WE GONE OVER THE TOP?

If we showed our game to the little men on Mars I’m sure they’d love it but they might also be a little confused by what

attracts a suspension and what doesn’t. Willie Mason will be forced to miss two

games for what was not much more than a chest bump on giant Souths forward Tom Burgess.

While Canberra’s David Shillington escaped suspension, despite pleading guilty to a headbutt.

This really upset big Willie. On Tuesday, at Manly’s training base,

Mason had a major blow up about his suspension saying, “I’m embarrassed to be a rugby league player. I’ve seen bigger hits at the netball on the weekend”.

However, let’s be clear. The NRL says there is no place for the shoulder charge in the game.

They have reacted to the death of young father James Ackerman in Queensland when a shoulder charge tragically ended his life. That shoulder charge didn’t hit James in the head, it hit him in the chest but with such force that whiplash caused his fatal injuries.

The force of a shoulder charge is simply too great and extremely dangerous, so the NRL have moved to completely eradicate it from the game. But have they gone too far?

Mason’s tackle really was nothing in terms of a rugby league hit. It was a little embarrassing to fans of the game.

Maybe Willie should have challenged it at the judiciary to at least get a clear definition for players and fans going forward.

Mason’s tackle, in my opinion, was not worthy of a two match ban. However, if the NRL says it is, then surely players should at least be given a chance to get used to it before being suspended.

I guess all players have been warned now but it doesn’t seem fair that Willie should take the fall particularly when the new rule was only introduced a couple of hours before he took to the field on Friday night against Souths.

Anyway, the line has been drawn and the NRL say they are all about making the game safer for all players and, in the long the run, that’s a good thing.

WITH STEVE HART

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One Stop Financial and The Western Weekender are joining forces to give one lucky reader the chance to win a free holiday. The free holiday will either be to one of two luxury resorts in Thailand or a number of quality resorts on the Gold Coast. The competition will run for only the next three months, and is valued up to $1,800 and will be drawn on August 26, 2015.

For your chance to win the free holiday, send an email to holiday@onestopfi nan-cial.com.au with ‘Western Weekender Competition’ in the subject line. Tell us in 25 words or less why you want to win the free holiday! Entries close 5pm on August 25, 2015. Terms and conditions are available at www.onestopfi nancial.com.au or from Western Weekender reception.

ADVERTISEMENT

* One Stop Financial is the brainchild of The Retirement Planning Association. The Retirement Planning Asso-ciation has more than 23,000 members across Australia, and is known as Australia’s most trusted authority when it comes to helping people building wealth for their future and planning for their future retirement. It has been set up to specifi cally help people save money, get a better deal and gain access to the specialists that can help them in saving money, time and frustration in fi ve key areas: Home Loans, Property Investment, SMSF (Self-Managed Super Funds), Super and Personal Insurances

For your chance to win all you need to do is tell us why you deserve to win a holiday to a luxury resort in Thailand or the Gold Coast.

WW17617

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