Extra Time July 23 2026

THE FINAL WORD

Just a few weeks ago Nathan Cleary and Mitchell Moses were arm in arm, celebrating a new milestone in their mateship after an incredible series win by New South Wales over Queensland in State of Origin.

This Thursday night, friends become foes.

For 80 minutes, anyway.

Cleary and Moses go head-to-head in the latest instalment of the Battle of the West; a long-time rivalry that has only intensified in recent years on the back of the 2022 Grand Final.

The Panthers have played the Eels more than any other side since entering the competition in 1967.

And while the Eels hold overall bragging rights with 62 wins from their 114 matches, there’s no

question the roles of big and little brother have changed in recent years.

Penrith is now at the top of the mountain, the pride of western Sydney. Indeed, everything the Eels aspire to be.

While Parramatta are left clinging onto Grand Final highlights from an era where colour TV was still new and exciting (OK, that’s a stretch – but you get the point), Penrith is living their glory days – a time that will be remembered in the club’s history as its golden era.

But while the Panthers have owned the Eels in the moments and matches that have mattered in recent years, there is no doubt the Eels have proved troublesome during the regular season. There is just something about Parramatta that gives Penrith trouble, and at the centre of it all on Thursday night will be Moses.

Moses proved during Origin that his long kicking game can be deadly. It is perhaps the one thing he has over Cleary, who while a sharp

and tactical kicker, doesn’t quite have the boot of the Parramatta number seven.

It is the battle between Cleary and Moses that makes this clash particularly juicy.

Cleary deservedly got all the plaudits after the Blues’ victory in Origin III, but Moses played a critical role too, and he’d like nothing better than to get one over his mate and prove a point.

If that happens, it will be on the back of his kicking game and forcing Penrith to work out from their own line more than they’d like to.

The rain proved the great leveller in Penrith’s clash with Brisbane last week, bringing the sides closer together and ultimately handing the Broncos an unlikely victory.

I’d argue that at present, Penrith get more out of losing than winning. They sit comfortably in the top four, and are experienced in September football. Winning is great, but when a champion side loses, that is when the best opportunities arise. Rest assured Ivan Cleary

would have seized on that opportunity and found some lessons out of the Broncos game; rather than wallow in self-pity.

The chances of Parramatta making the Finals are about as slim as can be, but if they are to pull off a miracle run, it would need to start against the Panthers.

It’s the same desperation that drove Brisbane last Thursday night, which means victory is by no means an easy feat for the Panthers.

However, Penrith’s forward pack should ultimately be able to get on top; while Nathan Cleary rarely delivers two poor games in a row and I’d be confident of a strong showing here. Parramatta’s side is just too young and inexperienced. There’s too many players with less than a dozen first grade games to their name. I’m confident Penrith will get the job done here, but they’ll need to be a little sharper than they were against the Broncos Tip: Panthers by 10.

McLean eyes strong finish to ’26

Exciting Panthers centre Casey McLean has labelled Laurie Daley one of the best people he’s ever met, with the winning NSW Blues coach making a huge impact on the youngster.

The pair got to know each during the recent State of Origin series where the former Canberra Raiders premiership winner turned coach handed the 20-year-old Kiwi superstar his NSW Blues debut.

“It was definitely the lowest point of my career”

In just over 20 minutes of action towards the end of the match, McLean was one of the best on the park for the Blues in Origin I, which resulted in Daley’s men taking a 1-0 series lead.

Off the back of his debut performance, McLean was selected by Daley to start in Origin II however the Blacktown Bears junior had to withdraw from the team after suffering a quad strain at training.

Speaking with Extra Time on Tuesday,

McLean said he was gutted that his Origin experience was cut short through injury.

“It was definitely the lowest point of my career, I was more just disappointed,” he admitted.

“I think carrying a sore ankle into camp kind of just had my mind in two, but to be ruled out with a different injury was really a bummer. However, I was just grateful enough to be in camp.”

As history would show, the Blues were blown off the park in Origin II down in Melbourne with the Maroons tying the series at one game apiece.

With the Blues scraping home in Origin I and then being pummelled in the second game, NSW were massive underdogs heading into the decider in Brisbane.

With the world seemingly against them, the Blues produced one of their biggest wins in history – upsetting the Maroons on their turf.

McLean said he was cheering on his Blues teammates from his home back in western Sydney.

“Those boys that went up there did an amazing job. They dominated up there and it was special,” he said.

“At camp we were talking about being the dominant side and working together and I think that showed on the big stage.”

A total of 25 players took the field for NSW during this year’s Origin series, with McLean feeling every part of the series win despite only playing 23 minutes.

“Loz (Daley) messaged me after, like a week later, to say thank you for the campaign,” McLean said.

“I couldn’t respect him more – not just as a coach but as a person. He’s one of the best people I’ve ever met. He’s such a humble and nice person. That message meant a lot to me.”

Following roughly a month on the sideline rehabbing his injured quad and ankle, McLean returned to the Panthers line-up during last Thursday’s narrow defeat to the Brisbane Broncos at CommBank Stadium.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t the best of returns for McLean stats-wise but just getting through the game unscathed was a win in itself.

“It was a little bit of a tough one for me, I didn’t really find myself playing too great,” McLean said.

“Just the conditions and how the game panned out… I don’t want to make too many excuses. I wasn’t up to my own standards or expectations, so I don’t think I played overly great.”

McLean will be desperate to get back to his best when the Panthers battle the Eels tonight at CommBank Stadium. Penrith have won just one of their past four matches, with the Roosters and Warriors closing in on their position at the top of the table.

McLean said he’s always had a rivalry with Parramatta players dating back to when he went to school at Newington College in Stanmore.

“The school I went to had a Penrith and Parramatta split, so coming up against a heap

FEATURE

Cole considering Penrith departure, but

Having a positive outlook as an athlete is often regarded as one of the keys to success, and Panthers five-eighth Jack Cole has that in spades.

The 23-year-old from Orange has only played one NRL game this season and is also unsigned for next year, but despite not being able to show off his talent on the big stage and his future rather clouded, he’s remaining upbeat and optimistic about his predicament.

Cole said while it’s frustrating not being able to showcase his skills to a bigger audience during a contract year, he’s not letting it get to him.

“In some sense it is a little bit [frustrating], but I’ve been fortunate to still play a bit of NSW Cup here and there,” he said.

“The way I’m thinking about it,

is not trying to be a victim to it. Just when I am playing trying to put my best foot forward, just knowing that’s going to help me with my contract and where I end up – whether it’s here or somewhere else.”

Cole revealed he has been speaking to rival clubs about a deal for next year but wouldn’t get into which clubs are interested in his services.

He said his preference would be to land somewhere that he can play regular first grade.

“Obviously I’m off contract, so I’m not going to deny that I haven’t been talking to people. I’m still not 100 per cent sure what I’m doing but I’m just trying to focus on my footy at the moment and that’s the thing that’s going to hep me land somewhere and get a contract,” Cole said.

“Our Cup team, as well as the NRL team, is going well this year. The more we can just do our roles for the team and play well, the more noticed our team’s going to get.”

Like in the NRL, the Panthers are enjoying an outstanding season in the NSW Cup competition. Led by former player turned coach Matt Eisenhuth, the side is currently sitting atop of the ladder with 13 wins, one draw and two losses.

Cole said his former teammate in Eisenhuth is taking to coaching like a duck to water.

“He’s been really good!” Cole exclaimed.

“At the start of the year it was a little bit weird.

“When he started to be serious with us it sounded a little bit funny, but everyone respects him.

“I think it helps having a coach that’s just finished playing at that level too.

“He understands the ups and downs of it all.

“He understands that level of footy and what we need to do and what’s going to help us. He’s been awesome.”

has been named on the extended bench for tonight’s showdown with the Parramatta Eels at CommBank Stadium.

If he plays, it will be just his second game this season following a strong performance against South Sydney earlier this month.

“I was pretty stoked to get that opportunity, to be honest,” Cole said.

“I was grateful Ivan put his trust in me to jump into six after having a bit of time out…

“That’s where I feel like I belong to be honest. That’s what everyone here wants to do.”

with The Masked Panther

Cheers to Origin success

Shield on show: Penrith captain Isaah Yeo was back on Blues duty earlier this week, taking part in a promotion that saw the Men’s and Women’s Origin shields make their way to the Tooheys Brewery in Lidcombe – along with a triumphant Trojan Stag that paraded through the gates. Last week, former Origin star Aaron Woods rode the Trojan Stag through enemy territory on Caxton Street in Brisbane. Its return to Tooheys at Lidcombe this week served as its homecoming. And with that, Yeo gets to sign off on his Origin commitments for the year.

Backing the Panthers: Have a look at the team from PRD Real Estate in Penrith, who are well and truly backing the Panthers as the run to the Finals begins. It’s all part of a Penrith CBD Corporation and Western Weekender initiative, aimed at getting businesses to get behind the Panthers with decorations and celebrations earlier than normal. Make sure you email your contributions to news@westernweekender. com.au – you could win great prizes.

Spotted: Keen reader (and bird watcher) Mitch Kenny walking down High Street, Penrith with a book in hand.

Game ball dilemma: Panthers officials have been pondering a potential awkward moment that could strike as early as tonight. Brian To’o is just one try away from his 100th try, which would normally qualify him to receive the official game ball in recognition of the achievement. But it’s possible Tom Jenkins will go past

Rhys Wesser’s all-time Penrith try-scoring record if he scores. Such a milestone would of course equally qualify him for game ball honours. Now we all know there’s more than one game ball, but from a token / honour point of view, it does make things a little tricky if they both score.

Family time: Powerhouse Panthers forward Isaiah Papali’i may not have been on the winning side last Thursday night, but he couldn’t contain his smile post-game as he spotted his young family.

Nod to history: The Panthers have had talks with the NRL about potentially opening Helloworld Stadium with a game of historical

significance. That could mean playing the Dragons, to replicate the official opening game of the old Penrith Park in 1967 – which also saw Penrith record one of its most famous victories. The new stadium will definitely be ready for the opening round next year, and you can expect a ribbon cutting in the weeks prior to the March State Election.

Keen reader: Always keen to support the work of his partner Mary Fowler, we spotted this pic of Nathan Cleary on Instagram with a couple of the Matildas star’s junior fiction books. The pair recently got to spend a chunk of time together, but Fowler has headed back to the UK ahead of the new Premier League season.

time: Panthers forward

PANTHERS POSTER

NRL transfer system is too messy

While the NRL hierarchy are patting themselves on the back after negotiating a record

$5.3 billion dollar broadcast rights deal, they still need to address some important issues in the game which, if not dealt with, will slowly erode the very loyal fanbase it has accumulated over the last 25 years.

The first issue is the ridiculous rule which allows teams to sign players a full year before they can play for their new club and the other issue is the one which allows players to break any signed contract almost at will.

The NRL needs to get tougher on enforcing these contracts or imposing tougher penalties if a player wants an early exit.

In the last two years alone over 50 NRL players have been granted early contract releases.

That is an obscene amount and one which is growing every year.

I mean an NRL contract these days is not worth the paper it’s written on.

A player can sign a three-year deal with a club but it guarantees nothing.

Now I understand that in sport, as in life, sometimes, individual circumstances may warrant an early release but in my opinion

those circumstances have to be quite unique.

Now, early contract releases are the norm.

The Zac Lomax situation is a classic case.

After only completing one year of a four-year deal with the Eels, Lomax decided he wanted out to join Melbourne instead.

Fortunately, the Eels stood as firm as they could, and Lomax didn’t end up completely getting his way

but the situation dragged out for months and it was not a good look for the game.

A signing window needs to be introduced so that clubs can only negotiate and sign players from other clubs during that threemonth period and only for the following year.

For me that time would be between September 1 to November 30.

That’s plenty of time for a player

to change teams and still get settled into his new club environment.

I can’t imagine it would disrupt the Finals series which takes place in September, if anything it would add to it and give those supporters whose teams aren’t in the Finals something to look forward to.

Let’s be realistic, most major signings would be completed early in that period.

While it’s not a perfect solution, at least the player wouldn’t be signing with a new club a full year ahead of time.

The only exception is that clubs would be allowed to negotiate when re-signing their own players at any time. If they can’t come to an agreement with that player by September 1, the player can then go on the open market.

And the NRL simply must get tougher on enforcing signed contracts. Otherwise let’s forget written contracts altogether and just shake hands on a deal.

They used to do that many years ago and it seemed to work fine.

There’s nothing quite like, looking someone in the eye and saying;

“You have my word and it’s stronger than Oak!”

Well, it’s about as binding as a signed legal contract seems to be these days.

BEHIND THE GAME

Why Jaxen is a cut above the rest

Growing up in South Penrith 20-year-old

Jaxen Edgar dreamed of making it to the NRL one day. That dream came true one Thursday night last year when Edgar debuted for the Penrith Panthers against the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs.

Despite playing a game the Panthers would lose, Edgar got a taste of something he had been longing for his whole life.

“I grew up dreaming about playing with the Panthers one day,” he reflected.

“I live five minutes down the road, so it is pretty special to play for this club.”

Each game Edgar plays he always has a support system sitting in the crowd, including his Nan, who never misses a game.

“My mum is my number one supporter,” Edgar said.

“She has always done everything for me like driving me everywhere and is always looking after me through the highs and lows.

“All my family come to my games even my Nan. My Nan loves watching footy! I don’t think she has missed one of my games in that long.”

Edgar is right at the beginning of his footy career but already has life after footy sorted: the official Penrith Panthers barber.

“I actually cut hair a bit!” Edgar revealed.

with Emily Chate

“I’m also into fishing and love going to the beach.

“I got into cutting hair during the COVID break when you couldn’t get a haircut. I cut all the boys’ hair, and I was half decent at it.

“I cut some of the boys’ hair here like Billy Scott, Billy Phillips, a few of the boys!”

Playing footy for a living is a unique career and Edgar said he has learnt to appreciate every moment.

“Footy has taught me how to create special bonds with all of your mates and to just have fun,” he told Behind the Game

“That’s why I do it because I love the game. I have fun every week and I wouldn’t be doing it if I didn’t love it.”

Coffee order: Caramel latte

Cheat meal: GYG

Favourite movie:

‘The Hangover’

Musician: Drake

Who did you support growing up?

Penrith Panthers

Pet peeve: Loud chewing

“I’ve got the support of the majority, if not all of the clubs. For me, it’s to determine whether I wanna do it.”

“I think the NRL has to take on the responsibility of rugby league worldwide.”

THEY SAID IT...

“You’re not going to get everything perfect all the time, but you’re going to make the bold decisions. You’ve got to be hungry, you’ve got to have a level of humility.”

“Touch judges are just fans with eyes. I don’t know what they do.”

“Credit to the Broncos, they controlled the ball well and kicked well. Reece Walsh was unbelievable tonight.”

“I’d love to see every team have a reserve grade team. That would be good for our game.”

“[Nathan] Cleary won’t re-sign just through hometown loyalty. He is definitely going onto the November 1 open market in what is a sure sign he wants to explore rival clubs and offers.”

“It’s a bit of a sick obsession. I was a bit fired up. It happens too often.” Braith Anasta

5

NRL LADDER & FIXTURES

BRONCOS DRAGONS SHARKS

PANTHERS KNIGHTS

PANTHERS ROOSTERS

RAIDERS

RAIDERS

PANTHERS KNIGHTS RABBITOHS RAIDERS

PANTHERS KNIGHTS

PANTHERS

PANTHERS KNIGHTS

PANTHERS ROOSTERS

PANTHERS KNIGHTS

PANTHERS ROOSTERS

PANTHERS KNIGHTS

COWBOYS TITANS SHARKS

BRONCOS DRAGONS SHARKS

PANTHERS ROOSTERS RABBITOHS RAIDERS WARRIORS COWBOYS TITANS SHARKS

PANTHERS KNIGHTS RABBITOHS RAIDERS

PANTHERS ROOSTERS RABBITOHS RAIDERS

COWBOYS TITANS SEA EAGLES

PANTHERS ROOSTERS

PANTHERS ROOSTERS

PANTHERS ROOSTERS

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TIGERS

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