Extra Time June 25

THE FINAL WORD

One of the most dangerous scorelines in rugby league is 12-0, especially if you get there with relative ease and it was a match you were expected to win. Suddenly you take the foot off the gas, realise that the pundits were right and this should be a cruisy victory.

Then, before you know it, the opposition has worked their way back into the contest and you’re in real trouble.

This was certainly the case for Penrith last Saturday night against Gold Coast.

Ivan Cleary’s side without question let its guard down after getting out to an early lead and by the time they realised they were in danger, the Titans had grown in confidence

and belief.

In the end, the home side got the job done 19-18. It was a good lesson for the Panthers and will keep the side honest, but I have no doubt they will move on quickly from it.

With their Origin stars missing and things just not clicking as they usually would, there was nothing out of that performance that should derail things for Penrith.

This Saturday the side heads back to Queensland, this time a little further north to take on the Cowboys in Townsville.

Penrith failed to beat the Cowboys at all last year, going down 22-18 during their form slump at the start of the 2025 season and then being held to a 30-all draw.

But given both of those games fell when the Panthers were in that now infamous lull in the first half of the season, there isn’t a lot to take out of that reasonably rare statistic, at least as

far as the modern Panthers are concerned.

North Queensland come into this game on the back of three straight losses. Despite the lop-sided scorelines, they had their moments in all three of those matches against the Warriors, Dolphins and Raiders and I’m not quite sure they’re going as bad as that form line suggests.

With a bye scheduled next weekend, Todd Payten would without question be keen to get two points on the board to right the ship heading into the back half of the season.

Penrith welcome back their Origin players which is obviously of huge significance, and while we can’t just expect that to automatically fix what went wrong last week, there’s no doubt that the experience Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo offer would have likely turned the result against the Titans.

The Cowboys’ biggest problem is their defence. It is paper thin at times, and if the

Panthers can hold the ball and keep the momentum in their favour, they should crack eventually.

Attack-wise, there is plenty to like about Payten’s side. They are actually top of the table in terms of line breaks, alongside the Panthers, and have plenty of long-range tries in them should the opposition be at all vulnerable in defence.

The key for Penrith will be locking up the ball, stopping second phase play as much as possible and keeping things tight in the middle.

I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw a 50+ points game here in Townsville, and I have a feeling that the game will follow the script of most Cowboys matches this year – a reasonable battle, before they ultimately surrender.

A danger game without doubt, but Penrith should get the chocolates.

Tip: Panthers by 12.

Lussick keen to leave on a high

With his short but sweet stint at the foot of the Mountains expected to wrap up later this year, Panthers hooker Freddy Lussick is hoping to make the most of the time he has left.

It’s been reported by several media outlets that the 25-year-old rugby league journeyman will join his fifth NRL club in the Canterbury Bulldogs next season on a two-year deal.

While Lussick wasn’t in the position to officially confirm his next move with Wednesday afternoon, he was able to reflect on his only season as a Panther in a positive way.

“I’m learning something new every single day at this club whether it’s on the field or off it – I’m still trying to take it all in,” he said.

“This club has been really

great for my football this year, playing under Ivan and this experienced team, who have been at the top for a while now.

“I don’t want to be a passenger out there. I still want to play my game, and they’ve been really supportive of that. It’s given me a lot of confidence and I’m enjoying my

The decision by Panthers management to sign Lussick in the off-season from the New Zealand Warriors – where he was playing in

His sensational form filling in for injured hooker Mitch Kenny over the past two months has seen the Panthers barely miss a beat.

In his 11 appearances for Penrith this season, Lussick has crossed the line on four occasions, which is the exact same amount of tries Kenny has scored in his 135 games for the club.

“It’s disappointing with Mitch and his injury but he’s tracking well with his rehab, which is

“But yes, his injury opened a bit of a door for me to play some consistent NRL, which is good and I’m enjoying it. It’s great to do it with these bunch of boys and this club.”

Lussick suffered his first defeat in Panthers colours last Saturday night when the Gold Coast Titans pulled off a massive upset at Cbus

Super Stadium 19-18.

The dummy half said it was a “disappointing” result, which snapped Penrith’s seven-game winning streak.

“You want to win every game of football. You’re not going to win every game of football but that’s the mindset,” Lussick said.

“Ivan was disappointed”

“The Titans were better than us that day. We took plenty of learnings out of it and the boys are really hungry this week to bounce back from that.

“Ivan was disappointed, but he was very calm, cool and collected. He got his message across and the boys took it on board.”

Penrith had enough possession and opportunities to put the game to bed on several occasions, but were unable to get the job done.

“We definitely had plenty of possession with

the footy in good spots on the field, but we weren’t able to execute at times,” Lussick said.

“But like I said, we’ve got an opportunity to bounce back this week and head up to Townsville and put on a good performance.”

For the second straight week the Panthers will fly north of the border to battle a Cowboys team coming off three losses on the trot.

Lussick said he’s excited to welcome back Penrith’s Origin contingent of Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo and Brian To’o, but he is wary of North Queensland’s star-studded side.

“You don’t go into a game worrying about the opposition but you’re definitely wary of them because you look at that Cowboys team and they have strike across the whole park,” he said.

“With Scott Drinkwater there, they also have some serious speed in the outside backs and a mobile forward pack. We’re going to do our work this week to nullify what their strengths are and we’re going to have to be on for 80 minutes this week because we know how dangerous the Cowboys really are.”

With Lussick’s time at the Panthers slowly drawing to a close, he said he’ll no doubt look back on his time fondly and hopefully with a Premiership ring on his finger.

“The job’s not done yet,” Lussick declared. “Myself and the whole team want to go all the way and win a Premiership. That’s the goal.”

Henry hungry for Cowboys victory

After a disappointing loss to a team at the bottom of the ladder, the Panthers are primed to remind the competition why they are number one.

Panthers prop Liam Henry played just over 50 minutes in the to-the-wire loss against the Gold Coast Titans last Saturday night and said the team walked away with their tails between their legs.

“It was pretty disappointing,” Henry reflected.

“Having said that, they played really well and we just failed to get the job done and that is the most disappointing thing. We will learn a lot from that game, and it will be good for us in the long-term.”

The Panthers are this weekend going back to Maroons territory to play the North Queensland Cowboys where they will look to bounce back.

“We have just been nailing

down training and getting back to what we do really well,” Henry said.

“I think it is a good opportunity for us; it’s a short turnaround so it will be nice to get back out there and get another shot.

“That’s the biggest thing for us, just getting back to what we know we can do.”

Henry debuted against the Cowboys in Round 25 of the 2022 season where the Panthers dramatically went down 38-8, this weekend Henry will be looking to rewrite that history.

“You never like to lose but with a loss comes a lot of lessons. It’s important for us to take those lessons and learn from them,” he said.

At the end of this year Henry will lace up his boots for the last time as a Panther before he heads west to play for the incoming Perth Bears, but he remains committed to getting the job done for the Panthers one last time.

“I’m definitely all in and just focussed on what lies ahead for

me at the Panthers. I’m taking it day by day,” he said.

“It does catch you off guard a little bit when you go this is your last year so I’m really just trying to soak it all in, make the most of it and do everything I can for the team.”

Announced this week, former Panther and current Wests Tiger Mavrik Geyer will be a Bear come next year, someone Henry is excited to play with again.

“I love Mav! He’s a terrific player and he’s a good mate of mine so it will be awesome to be on that journey with him,” Henry laughed.

This weekend’s NRL matches will honour the Mark Hughes Foundation (MHF) through Beanie for Brain Cancer Round, across the nine Beanie Rounds to date, fans have helped the MHF raise $29.7 million.

“I think it is a massive cause, the Mark Hughes Foundation. I absolutely love that the NRL do it every year,” Henry said while donning a bright pink MHF beanie.

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Fowler to remain in England

Fowler’s big call: Nathan Cleary’s partner, Matildas superstar Mary Fowler, has shed some light on her playing future with English football side Manchester City. The 23-year-old is off-contract with the Women’s Super League Champions at around the same time as Cleary is off-contract with the Panthers in 2027. Speaking at a football clinic in Moorebank, the Weet-Bix Ambassador said she currently has no plans to leave Man City. “I think while I’m playing football, I’d like to be at the highest level possible, so I’m really enjoying it at City and there’s a good group of girls there, we did really well last season, so I have no reason to leave,” Fowler said. With Fowler confident of a new deal with Man City, it means she won’t be moving to Australia anytime soon to play in the Women’s A-League and be closer to Cleary. As for the Panthers co-captain, he’s set to decide on his playing future in the coming months. Cleary will either sign a new deal with the Panthers or make his way to England to play over there and be closer to Fowler.

Here’s cheers: The Pantherettes made a rare away game appearance last weekend, with a couple of the dancers making their way to the Gold Coast for the clash against the Titans. Both the Titans cheer squad and the Pantherettes are now managed by Entourage Entertainment, so it was a natural fit.

Tago’s uncertain future: While the rumours about Izack Tago leaving the Panthers have died down in recent months, there’s still people telling me that he won’t be at Penrith next year. The 24-year-old is on decent money and signed until the end of 2028, so if he did move on, it’d be likely the Panthers would have to top up his wage elsewhere. Some would argue the Panthers have now found a role for Tago after his move into the back-row for several games this year, but the rumours just won’t go away that there’s things happening behind the scenes.

Like father, like son: Mark Geyer’s son, who played 14 games for the Panthers before joining the Tigers this season, is once again following in his famous father’s footsteps. It was confirmed on Tuesday that Mavrik Geyer would be joining new NRL franchise the Perth Bears on a two-year deal from next season. When he puts on the Perth strip next year, the former St Dominic’s College student will follow the exact same career path as his father Mark – Panthers, Tigers and Perth. Of course, big MG returned to Penrith in ’98 to finish off his memorable career, so we’ll just have to wait and see whether Mav does the same.

Beanie for Brain Cancer: The NRL and Mark Hughes Foundation (MHF) are teaming up for the 10th anniversary Beanie for Brain Cancer Round across Round 17 of the 2026 Telstra Premiership this week. Across the nine Beanie Rounds to date, footy fans have helped MHF raise $29.7 million through the sale of more than 1.3 million beanies, bringing Australians together in the fight against brain cancer. During his press conference this week, Panthers coach Ivan Cleary (pictured) donned one of this year’s fabulous beanies, which can be purchased from all Lowes Australia stores and at participating Woolworths and IGA Australia stores.

Injury update: Panthers coach Ivan Cleary has updated fans on the status of two of his biggest injured stars. Panthers centre and Blues rookie Casey McLean (quad) is set to return from injury in Round 18 against the Rabbitohs, while hooker Mitch Kenny (leg) will likely return after Round 19’s bye.

Grand Final snub: It was interesting to note Channel Nine’s broadcast of last year’s Grand Final didn’t make the cut for a Logie nomination this year. Seven’s AFL Grand Final coverage is nominated for Best Sports Coverage, and while Nine’s Origin broadcast is nominated, there’s no sign of the Grand Final.

Lang returns to TRH: Lang on League columnist Peter Lang is Nathan Taylor’s co-host on the latest episode of the Tension’s Running High podcast, presented by the Western Weekender. With usual co-host Troy Dodds boot skootin’ his way around Nashville, Lang filled in for the second time this year providing his unique insights into the Penrith Panthers and NRL. Catch the latest episode wherever you get your podcasts.

PANTHERS POSTER

The NRL should scrap Golden Point

While the game of rugby league isn’t struggling with record TV ratings and a multi-billion-dollar broadcast deal about to be signed, I thought of a couple of rule changes and a concept which could make this great game even greater.

I must stress that most of what I’m about to suggest is not original but they’re still ideas worth considering.

One of the rules which I feel needs to be changed is the golden-point rule. The game should go back to a draw after 80 minutes where both sides each walk away with a point.

I’ve heard all the arguments about how exciting it makes the contest but every time a side loses a match in extra time, I always feel like one side has been ripped off.

It was a rule which was introduced in 2003 and I’ve always conscribed to the theory that if after 80 minutes neither side has scored enough points to win the game outright, then they both deserve a point.

It was a rule for 94 years and one which didn’t need tinkering with.

I understand having golden point in Finals games but not during the season.

Since 2003 the Panthers have played in 29 golden point games,

the most of any club in the competition.

Now for everyone thinking that I just want to change the rule back because Penrith suck at it, well you’re wrong.

Penrith actually has a pretty good record winning 14 games, losing nine and drawing six.

Yes, that’s right, there’s still a draw if after 10 minutes of extra time the

in the game while two just sit there twiddling their thumbs.

I understand an additional player can be activated if the offending player is sin-binned or sent off by the match referee, and the injured player is subsequently ruled out of the match.

But let’s just cut through the crap and make all six interchange players available for the game.

The interchange rule doesn’t need to change, with only eight allowed as it currently stands.

Finally, especially after the NRL competition expands to 18 and then 19 teams, a Wildcard Weekend needs to be added at the end of the regular rounds.

scores are still level.

So, what’s the point of it all if you can still end up with a draw anyway, except you have to play 10 extra minutes just to get one.

It makes no bloody sense.

The next rule change I’d like to see is to allow all six interchange players to be eligible to play not just four. It’s crazy that only four players are allowed to participate

This means that the top six sides qualify for the Finals Series but teams which finish seventh to 10th must play-off for spots seven and eight.

It would work this way, match one will see teams seven and 10 play for seventh spot and teams eight and nine for eighth.

Now if all this seems familiar it’s because the AFL will be introducing this concept at the end of this season.

So why can’t the National Rugby League?

BEHIND THE GAME

Why playing football doesn’t feel like work

The phrase ‘you’ll never work a day if you love your job’ hits home for Panthers second rower Isaiah Papali’i.

New Zealand-born Papali’i has always loved sport, from weightlifting to rugby union, he has always been doing some form of sport.

“My parents and my extended family love sport and rugby league… whether I was watching footy over the weekend or doing CrossFit with my uncle when I was a teenager,” Papali’i told Behind the Game

“That’s what got me into weightlifting, which complemented rugby league and rugby union, which I was playing through high school.”

Papali’i debuted for the New Zealand Warriors in 2017 and has since gone on to play 192 games across multiple clubs – including for Parramatta in the 2022 Grand Final against

Penrith – before joining the Panthers in 2025.

Papali’i said his long footy career is the result of him being able to love what he does and turn his passion for sport into his job.

“Footy has taught me to love what you do,” he said.

“Whether it’s footy or whatever job you’re in, the more you love it or enjoy what you’re doing the easier it is to turn up every day and be your best.

“I’m really loving footy at the moment and that’s helping me a lot.”

Being afforded the chance to be a Panther is not one that Papali’i took lightly.

“I just moved out to Emu Plains and being in the Penrith region at the back end of last year and just seeing all the jerseys, and all the merch that the fans and the community rep throughout the week makes me pretty proud to be a part of this club,” he reflected.

“They just get behind us as a team and always show up. I’m really enjoying that.”

June 21 marked 34 years since Ben Alexander was tragically killed in a car crash at Colyton, tearing apart both the Panthers club and the community itself.

On this day (June 26) 34 years ago, the Weekender’s front page read ‘Penrith mourns’, with the rising star’s funeral held the previous day.

“Penrith came to a virtual standstill yesterday when thousands flocked to St Nicholas Church to bid farewell to Ben Alexander,” the Weekender reported.

“Nearly 700 people crammed into St Nicholas for the Requiem Mass while an estimated 4000 others spilled out of the church grounds onto High Street to listen to the mass by loud speakers”.

The Weekender reported that moving eulogies to Ben were read by Joe Zarb, Royce Simmons, Greg Alexander and Ron Mulock.

Around this time every year, we remember the short career of Ben Alexander, and that fateful night in 1992 that claimed his life.

His name will never, ever be forgotten in the history of the Penrith Panthers or Penrith as a city.

NRL LADDER & FIXTURES

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