Extra Time August 21 2025 (Panthers v Raiders)

GLORY DAYS

IT’S LIKE THE EARLY 1990 s AGAIN AS THE PANTHERS AND RAIDERS SIT WITHIN REACH OF THE PREMIERSHIP, REIGNITING ONE OF THE GREAT RETRO RIVALRIES.

the final word

With a Big League in hand, the back page of the paper still breaking the biggest footy stories and names like Mal Meninga, Ricky Stuart, Greg Alexander and Brad Fittler on everyone’s lips, there was something special about rugby league in the early 1990s.

Penrith and Canberra were on the cusp of developing one of the great rivalries during that era. The Raiders won the Grand Final in 1989, before beating the rising Panthers in 1990. The Panthers returned the favour a year later, and it appeared as though these sides would continue to trade Grand Final wins for many years to come.

Things took a dark turn for the Panthers of course, while the Raiders went on to win the comp again in 1994 – establishing the Green Machine’s greatest era.

Since that early 1990s period, Penrith and Canberra have largely steered clear of each

other in September. The odd Finals battle here and there, but nothing akin to those clashes of 30-odd years ago.

Now though, in 2025, Penrith and Canberra both sit atop the rugby league tree.

The Panthers with four straight Premierships in their back pocket, the real chance of a fifth, and another top four finish just begging to be taken.

The Raiders with the Minor Premiership close to being sewn up for one of the club’s most successful regular seasons on record.

The stage for one of the most anticipated games of the season is not the nation’s capital nor western Sydney, but the town of Mudgee –population 12,500.

That’s a good 380 kilometres from Bruce Stadium and about 208 kilometres from Penrith Park.

Glen Willow Regional Sports Stadium will be packed to the brim on Friday night with a

capacity crowd of around 10,000 expected for the 6pm kick-off.

Yes, that’s right – 6pm. Through a quirk of the schedule, or perhaps an incorrect assumption about how the Raiders would be travelling at this point of the season, this game ends up being an entrée on a Friday night rather than the main course.

But you know what? Sometimes I order pizza just for the garlic bread.

And while the days of Meninga, Stuart, Alexander and Fittler are long gone from a playing perspective, modern day heroes like Strange, Tapine, Cleary and Edwards are putting on a show.

Oh, and that bloke Stuart is still around –pacing the sideline.

Fresh off a bye, Canberra would be eyeing this game as a huge test of their Premiership credentials, just a few weeks out from Finals. With games against the Tigers and Dolphins

to come, this is by far their biggest test before September. As for Penrith, their brief appearance in the top four was stripped away by some Oscar-worthy (legal) acting from Harry Grant, and they now must regroup to continue their quest for a more comfortable Finals finish. They’ll want to ensure they grab this scalp given a loss would be two consecutive defeats to top four sides.

It all sets the stage for an absolute beauty on Friday night. The Raiders, who can seemingly score points from anywhere on the field, versus the Panthers, whose defence has rivalled that of their Premiership years in recent times.

This will be a game for the ages. It’s one of those matches you just can’t predict – a real tipster’s nightmare.

I’ll lean towards Penrith’s experience in big games to get them across the line, but I can’t see this being a blowout either way.

Tip: Panthers by 6.

panther rumblings

CHESS PIECES START TO MOVE

! Players on the move: There’s been a few unsurprising signing developments over the past week. Back-up halfback Brad Schneider is leaving Penrith at the end of the season, joining Redcliffe for 2026. Penrith will likely try to fill that gap externally given having a quality replacement for Nathan Cleary has been part of their plans during the Premiership run. There’s been suggestions Jack Cogger could return to the club. Meanwhile, I told you in July that Daine Laurie was unlikely to pick up a new deal and that’s now been confirmed. Laurie won’t be at Penrith next year but would be a quality pick-up for any NRL club, so I’m sure he’ll land himself a deal. With Mavrik Geyer also moving on, Penrith only have a handful of fringe players coming off-contract at the end of this season.

! Best of frenemies: Injured Penrith co-captain Isaah Yeo spent plenty of time in deep conversation with Queensland captain Cameron Munster after full-time of the Panthers v Storm clash last Thursday night. QLD coach Billy Slater also joined the chat at one stage.

! Spotted: Panthers winger Brian To’o happily signing autographs for fans long after full-time last Thursday night.

! Long day for Vossy: Andrew Voss will be burning the candle at both ends on Friday. He’ll front up in North Sydney to host his breakfast show on SEN from 6am on Friday, and will jump in the car as soon as he’s off air to head to Mudgee where he’ll call the Panthers v Raiders showdown for Fox Sports. We presume he’s already looked up the local Chinese restaurant menus.

! Moore’s health scare: ABC head commentator Andrew Moore would have been at CommBank Stadium to call Penrith’s clash with Melbourne last Thursday night, but he was instead in a hospital bed after suffering a heart attack. Thankfully Moore, who is one of the game’s hardest working callers given the ABC still preferences calling games from the ground, is on the mend. There’s hope he may be back calling before the end of the year.

! Spotted: Panthers co-captain Isaah Yeo featuring as part of Fox League’s Super Saturday panel last weekend.

! Good signing: The Panthers have signed promising outside back Thomas Goodfield from the Wests Tigers’ pathways system. He’s been tearing it up in the junior competitions and is expected to play SG Ball for Penrith next year.

! Strategy at work: Nathan Cleary’s candidness over that controversial penalty involving Harry Grant last Thursday night was intriguing. The Panthers would usually side against ruffling feathers, but with big games around the corner, there’s no doubt Cleary at least planted the conversation over diving into the rugby league agenda. It certainly puts a little bit of pressure on referees in the Finals over rewarding deliberate dives.

! Indigenous fortnight: Nobody will dare say it but there’s a few people in the game who thought stretching Indigenous Round out over two weeks wasn’t the greatest success. If anything it provided a little bit

of fatigue, and perhaps diluted the important message a little. Indigenous Round is one of the best rounds on the calendar and the special jerseys and ceremonies are great, but I’m not sure two weeks of it is the best option moving forward.

! Finals Tetris: There’s plenty to play out over the next three weeks but it’s worth noting a couple of things when it comes to the likely week one Finals schedule. If Canberra finish first you’d think they’d be a given to play on the Friday night given that’s usually how the NRL leans, but the Raiders play in Redcliffe on the final Sunday of the season – meaning they’d be forced into a five-day turnaround. That could leave the NRL favouring second-placed Melbourne hosting the opening night of the Finals. And what if Penrith finish fifth? You can almost be certain that the Panthers would play at CommBank Stadium on the Saturday. CommBank is scheduled to host an NRLW match on the Friday night.

! Spotted: Panthers CEO Matt Cameron and Melbourne General Manager of Football Frank Ponissi having a chat on the field after full-time last Thursday night.

! Spotted: Cameron Munster gets plenty of hate but I spotted a really touching moment after full-time of the Panthers v Storm clash last Thursday. Munster was finally making his way to the sheds after meeting a host of commitments, when an official grabbed him just before he went in the tunnel and asked if he’d come back to take a photo with a Penrith fan. Munster obliged, making the young bloke’s day.

CLEARY: LATE CALL TO BE MADE ON YEO

Panthers coach Ivan Cleary is remaining cautious ahead of co-captain Isaah Yeo’s impending return from an “annoying” shoulder injury.

Yeo suffered a subluxation of his shoulder during Penrith’s Golden Point win over the Gold Coast Titans on August 2. The NSW Blues skipper has missed the past two games but has been named on Penrith’s extended bench ahead of tomorrow night’s blockbuster match in Mudgee against ladder leaders Canberra.

Speaking with the media on Wednesday morning, Cleary said he wasn’t sure if Penrith’s most capped player will play in front of his family and friends this Friday night.

“I don’t know yet,” Cleary admitted.

“He’s obviously in the extended squad, so if he gets through training over the next couple of days, we’ll make a decision.”

Since suffering a few injuries –including a shoulder reconstruction – early in his career, Yeo has played virtually unscathed throughout Penrith’s historic winning run.

Cleary said having Yeo back in the team is of huge importance to the side’s premiership chances.

“We definitely like to have him in the team, but it’s also important that we don’t rush him back as well,” Cleary said.

“I think the good news is: he will be back [soon] and he would definitely make a big impact – not just by the

way he plays, but his leadership as well.”

Yeo has been named in jersey #19 for his potential comeback game, with the 30-year-old also uncertain on Wednesday morning whether he would be taking to the pitch at

Glen Willow

“I’ve still got a big training session [tonight]. I’ll try and get through that hopefully unscathed and go from there,” Yeo said.

“The shoulder… it’s going alright at the moment… it’s a bit of an annoy-

ing one. Hopefully I can get through tonight unscathed, and we’ll make a call after that.”

The Panthers will be desperate to bounce back against the red-hot Raiders after a devastating loss in Extra Time against the Melbourne Storm last Thursday night.

Cleary said Ricky Stuart’s men have been one of the feelgood stories of the season.

“They are part of the top three teams that have been significantly better than most of the other teams throughout the league,” he said.

“We’ve been making some ground in the back half of the season. But they’ve certainly had a great season. They have a lot of players in good form – very dangerous – and there looks to be a fair bit of spirit in that camp as well.”

A win over the Raiders will put the Panthers back into the top four for at least the next 24 hours, with the current fourth-placed Warriors not due to come up agianst the Titans until 5.30pm on Saturday.

“We would obviously like a top four finish but it’s out of our hands, to be honest,” Cleary said.

“At this point, we just want to be able to make the top eight and get there playing well, to give ourselves a chance when we do actually get there.”

PANTHERS LAP UP COUNTRY FEELING

Penrith will play their second game this season in country NSW when the defending Premiers tackle the competition-leading Canberra Raiders at Glen Willow Oval in Mudgee tomorrow night.

Following Penrith’s disastrous performance in Bathurst back in May, the Panthers will be looking to give the good people of the Central West something to cheer for this Friday at 6pm.

Speaking with the media in Mudgee on Wednesday morning, Panthers prop Liam Henry – who originally hails from Blayney –said he loves nothing more than country footy.

“I absolutely love coming out to the country games, it’s something that I look forward to every year,” he said.

“I’ve got a whole heap of mates and family and friends coming out, so it makes it even more special. I can’t wait!”

Also set to have plenty of loved ones in attendance is injured Panthers co-captain Isaah Yeo. Yeo’s parents now live in Mudgee, with the NSW Blues skipper ‘touch and go’ to return tomorrow night for the epic clash.

“I’m over the moon to be back [in Mudgee],” Yeo said.

“It’s not every day you get to come and have a home game here pretty much.

“Mum and Dad are here, my younger brother as well. You always pinch yourself with moments like these. To be able to be living it out is unreal.”

Yeo has missed the past two weeks nursing a shoulder injury that he suffered in Penrith’s controversial win over the Titans in Round 22.

The 30-year-old father of three said he’s used his short time out of the game wisely.

“You have to try and see the positives in it, and it’s allowed me to fix up some other little niggles, and also have a refresh,” Yeo said.

“This year has been pretty full on. It was dire straits there midway through the season, then the Origin period, then all of a sudden, we went on a bit of a run.

“It’s nice to have a refresh and spend a bit more time with the family. I’m looking forward to getting out on the field.”

The last time Penrith played the Raiders was late last year at GIO Stadium. Canberra surprised the Panthers that chilly afternoon, winning 22-18.

Yeo said the Raiders have gone to another level this season, which is evident by their standing on the ladder.

“The Raiders are a huge test, they are the

benchmark of the competition for a reason. They’ve been outstanding and have a real good mix of experience and youth,” he said.

“Their forward pack is outstanding, and their halves have done an outstanding job. Jamal [Fogarty] gets them around the field, and his kicking game is really strong. After a strong rookie season, Ethan Strange has got better again.

“It should be a cracker! It’s a wonderful game to be taking out to Mudgee – first verse fifth, and a lot on the line.”

Henry has played in 18 games for the Panthers this season, but perhaps no game has been more important than tomorrow’s Round 25 clash against Canberra.

“There’s nerves every week, but this is an important game for us,” he admitted.

“Canberra are a quality side. We need to put our best foot forward and we’re hoping to do that Friday night.

“For us, it’s just about playing the best footy we can.

“We believe the best is ahead of us. We’re just building our game each week, and we hope to do that on Friday.”

The game between the Panthers and the Raiders is officially sold out, with thousands of fans travelling from Penrith as well as the Central West to attend.

“It will feel like a bit of a home game, I’m hoping,” Yeo said.

“Any time you can go out to a country town and play, particularly in a game like this when the stakes are so high, it’s a really big thing for the town. We’re looking forward to it.”

LEGENDS SERIES

Tries: X Coates 2, J Chan, M Seve, H Grant Goals: N Meaney 1/4

I Papali’i, N Cleary, S Sorensen Goals: N Cleary 3/4

Tries: S Fonua, J McLean, B Schneider, D Fale Goals: P Alamoti 2/4

Tries: H Covacich 2, C Pallisier, C Blankenstein Goals: C Bush 3/4

E

player of the year

BYE: SHARKS

panther memories

In a career that spanned 178 first grade matches, Matthew Rodwell would finish his Australian rugby league journey in Penrith.

He debuted for Newcastle in 1990, before he joined the Western Reds in 1995.

When the NRL was formed in 1998, he played two seasons with the Dragons before joining the Panthers in 2000.

He played at halfback in every single match of Penrith’s 2000 campaign –including two finals matches against Canberra and Parramatta.

He played 18 games in 2001, in what would prove to be his final year in the NRL.

He played a season at Warrington in England in 2002 before retiring.

Named the Cleo Bachelor of the Year in 1993, Rodwell became CEO of the Rugby League Players’ Association before entering the corporate world.

His time at Penrith was short, but significant.

(Photo thanks to NRL Images)

PENRITH’S EXCLUSIVE 200 CLUB analysis

lang on league

with

Peter Lang

Icouldn’t believe what I found when I looked into the Penrith Panthers record books to find out just how many players have managed more than 200 first grade appearances for the club.

Answer, there are only 10 players in the club’s 59-year history who have played that amount.

The player who is on top of the list is a current player and every player in the ‘200 Club’ has won a premiership with Penrith.

One thing is undeniable, each and every player in the ‘200 Club’ is an absolute champion who has made an invaluable contribution to the team they were a part of and the club they represented so proudly.

Starting the countdown at number 10 is prop James Fisher-Harris who played 203 games for Penrith. ‘Fish’ bought a toughness and raw power the team needed at the time and was the perfect example of someone who led with his actions, not his words.

At number nine is centre Ryan Girdler with 204 games. Girdler bought so much skill and evasiveness to the centre position, he became known as the ‘Intercept King’ and he could kick goals too. Wonderful player.

Coming in at eight is Luke Lewis. During his time at the Panthers he played wing, centre, lock and even halfback. Lewis was a strong runner of the football no matter what position he played but he had football smarts as well, he could do it all.

Centre Brad Izzard notched up 209 matches to come in at seven. A nuggety, aggressive no-nonsense player, his time in the centres was when you were marking up against behemoths like Mal Meninga but he always more than held

his own.

At number six was perhaps the prototype of a new era of second-row forwards in 211 game veteran Tony Puletua. Tall, strong and athletic

Puletua could not only bend the line but step and swerve his way through a hole in the defence, especially out wide.

Coming in at five and with 228 matches is the mercurial Greg Alexander. Brandy was a halfback who had it all, he could read the game, he had a wonderful kicking game, and he could kick goals from anywhere. Legendary player. At four is Penrith’s greatest hooker Royce Simmons with 237 matches. He was Penrith’s first representative player at a time when the club wasn’t going so well in the mid-to-late 80s. Roycie epitomised what a tough, talented and tenacious footballer was.

Getting to the pointy end of the list and at number three is Craig Gower with 238 games. Gowie was as tough as a junk-yard dog. He was equally brilliant at hooker and halfback. Gowie could control a game and was both a creative and instinctive player.

At number two we find Steve Carter who amassed an incredible 243 games for the club. Scarter played most of his football at five-eighth alongside Greg Alexander and together they were almost unstoppable, especially in 1991. So, we’ve reached number one, and it won’t surprise anyone to find current co-captain Isaah Yeo with 261 games and counting. This brilliant lock and clubman is well on his way to becoming the first player to reach 300 games for the Panthers.

At 30, he’s already won four premierships and captained both NSW and Australia, an incredible feat.

The greatest compliment I can give him is that if Penrith are any hope of winning a fifth consecutive premiership, Isaah Yeo must be in the side. “No ifs, ands, or buts”.

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