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Extra Time March 12 2026

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GET TO KNOW TOM JENKINS SPEEDSTER AWAY FROM FOOTBALL Behind The Game: See Page 43

Photo: NRL Photos.

CASEY McLEAN POSTER INSIDE

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TE AM LIS T S

Panthers

Sharks

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DYLAN EDWARDS

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WILLIAM KENNEDY

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TOM JENKINS

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SIONE KATOA

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PAUL ALAMOTI

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JESSE RAMIEN

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CASEY McLEAN

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KL IRO

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BRIAN TO’O

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SAM STONESTREET

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BLAIZE TALAGI

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BRAYDON TRINDALL

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NATHAN CLEARY (c)

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NICHO HYNES

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MOSES LEOTA

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ADDIN FONUA-BLAKE

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MITCH KENNY

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BLAYKE BRAILEY (c)

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LINDSAY SMITH

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THOMAS HAZELTON

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ISAIAH PAPALI’I

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BRITON NIKORA

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LUKE GARNER

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BILLY BURNS

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ISAAH YEO (c)

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JESSE COLQUHOUN

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JACK COGGER

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SIOSIFA TALAKAI

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BILLY PHILLIPS

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TOBY RUDOLF

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SCOTT SORENSEN

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OREGON KAUFUSI

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KALANI LEULUAI-GOING

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BRADEN UELE

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IZACK TAGO

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HOHEPA PURU

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FREDDY LUSSICK

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CHRIS VEA’ILA

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etween them the Panthers and Sharks scored 76 points in the opening round of the NRL season, conceding a total of 10. It makes for a mouthwatering clash in Bathurst this Saturday night, and without question a more challenging one for both teams. As impressive as both Penrith and Cronulla were in their first round matches, there is no question that both the Broncos and Titans were far from their best. In fact, both delivered underwhelming performances given one was a defending champion and the other has a new coach with high hopes about what the season may deliver. As Penrith coach Ivan Cleary noted, there was “a lot of round one” about the game against

Broadcast

Brisbane. Not everything clicked and things weren’t as smooth as you’d like to see later in the year, but the defensive performance in particular was first class. Also first class was the effort of Dylan Edwards. Under a little bit of pressure this year from various corners, Edwards produced a five-star performance and one that will certainly silence his critics for a little while yet. The Sharks meanwhile looked pretty hot right across the park, but that is indeed Cronulla in the regular season. There is no question they will be there again when the whips are cracking, but what fans want to know this time around is whether they have what it takes to go to the next level. The last two encounters between these two sides have been on grand stages. Last year, they met only once – in the opening round at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, where

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the Panthers prevailed 28-22. Before that their last meeting was at Accor Stadium in the 2024 Preliminary Final, where Penrith trounced Cronulla 26-6 on their way to a fourth straight NRL title. Carrington Park in Bathurst is not quite Vegas or Accor Stadium, but it will still provide the platform for what I expect to be a cracking game. Both these sides may have excelled in attack last week but there is no doubt the winner of this one will be the side that gets its defensive performance right. I’m uncomfortable with the short odds put up on Penrith by the bookies this week. The Sharks are a far better side than their price says, though I’d suggest savvy punters will shorten that right up. The danger men for Cronulla are obvious. Addin Fonua-Blake looked strong last week,

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producing 200 run metres in a solid opening round performance. Nicho Hynes meantime guided the side around well, and the early signs suggest he may have shrugged off some of that pressure that has been sitting on his shoulders. Bathurst has not always been the happiest of second homes for the Panthers. There’s been some low moments at Carrington Park over the years, with a few decent highlights thrown in. I think the Panthers will put on a show for the locals on Saturday night and get the job done, but I suspect it will be a damn sight more challenging than what was ultimately a comfortable win over the Broncos last week. In fact, I’m tipping the lead to change hands several times throughout the game but the Panthers to just have the class advantage and pull away in the final 15 to 20 minutes. Tip: Panthers by 8.

UPDATES ON NRL.COM

Thursday, March 12, 2026 « the western weekender • extra time

35


THE Y S AID IT. . . “I’m very confident I will be alright, but it’s just a tough time. It’s been going for 18 weeks now. Lucky I don’t have a job so I can just sit at home and bludge. ”

“We had a really good hard look at ourselves about half-way through last year and identified areas we were letting ourselves down in. This year we really want to hit the ground running.”

2GB’s Daryl Brohman offers a health update

Panthers forward Liam Martin

“We put so much pressure on ourselves, but that comes from the opposition too.” Broncos coach Michael Maguire

“We spoke all week about trusting our preparation and trusting what we’ve done” Panthers captain Isaah Yeo on Channel Nine

“I can promise you it’s a unique mix of everything people loved about the old stadium with brand new facilities.”

“Solid round one performance by the Panther … Nothing brilliant … Just relentless control and simple football … Bronco undisciplined and disorganised, played right into their hands.” Phil ‘Gus’ Gould on X.

“I was pleased we were putting ourselves in the right positions, we were competing hard and finding points.”

“Happy to come up here and get the win but moreso it was a performance that we can build from... We just stuck to the task throughout the 80 minutes, which was the most pleasing thing.” Panthers coach Ivan Cleary

Nathan Cleary on the win over Brisbane

Chris Minns on the new stadium

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the western weekender • extra time » Thursday, March 12, 2026

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FE ATURE

Country kid is proving worth in the big smoke

W

hen Panthers youngster Billy Phillips returned to his hometown of Lake Cargelligo in the state’s Central West late last year, he came back a hero. In a town of roughly 1,500 hardworking country folk, the 21-year-old could lay claim to being the only person from Lake Cargelligo to ever play in the NRL. “I played one NRL game but I was a superstar out there,” Phillips said still amazed. “People wanted signatures and photos – it was pretty surreal going back there.” Phillips grew up on a big crop and sheep farm in Lake Cargelligo, going to primary school there before moving to Forbes – roughly two hours down the open road – to attend Red Bend Catholic College.

“Being here has shaped me to be a better person” “Red Bend was a boarding school, and I went there from Years 7 to 12,” Phillips said. “After that I got picked up by Penrith through playing reps out in the country. I then made the move up here [to Penrith] when I finished school at the end of 2021.” A talented forward with plenty of promise, Phillips said he’ll never forget the moment his dad told him that Penrith were keen on signing him. “It was pretty surreal! I just remember dad coming up to me one day and he said someone from Penrith is on the phone for you,” Phillips recalled. “I didn’t know what was going on, but it was pretty cool to get that call. Everything just went

from there. It panned out pretty well.” Now in the Panthers system and living six-and-a-half hours from home, Phillips took some time adjusting to life in the big smoke, but he eventually got more and more comfortable. Quickly rising through the Panthers ranks, the lock earned his first NRL jersey late last season when a very inexperienced Penrith side played the Bulldogs at Accor Stadium. Phillips said playing in the NRL for the first time is a feeling he’ll never forget, and that the Panthers club has well and truly changed his life. “The club is unreal. I’ve been here since I was 17, I’m now 21,” he said. “Being here has shaped me to be a better person.” Coming off a strong (and hot) Penrith pre-season, Phillips was rewarded with a second NRL appearance last week, part of a 26-0 thrashing of the Premiers in Brisbane. Following a 33-minute stint off the bench, racking up 81 running metres and 19 tackles, Phillips has once again been named in Ivan Cleary’s line-up for this Saturday night’s match against the Cronulla Sharks in Bathurst. Phillips said the prospect of playing his first game in Bathurst as a first grader “means a lot” to him. “Bathurst, being that little bit closer, it will be better for my family and friends because it’s usually hard for them to come down to games,” he said. “Just the chance to go back to the country kind of where I grew up, it’s going to be a cool experience.” With Penrith looking to boost their forward stocks with the likes of Liam Henry and Scott Sorensen moving on at season’s end, young guys like Phillips could be just the right people to step up. “Last week against Brisbane was a great opportunity for me,” Phillips said. “The rest of the season, I hope it get to stay up here in first grade and keep getting the experience under my belt. Whatever happens, I’m just happy to be playing footy.”

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Billy Phillips is set to play his second game of the year this week.

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FE ATURE

Stop-start career gets Going again NATHAN TAYLOR

N

ew Panthers recruit Kalani Going has credited Ivan Cleary’s youngest son, Jett Cleary, as the person who facilitated his off-season move to Penrith. The pair were playing in the New Zealand Warriors NSW Cup team together last season, winning a premiership and making plenty of memories. But with Going’s rugby league future uncertain, the inspirational Warriors skipper decided to drop a few hints to Jett about the possibility of getting a gig at his dad’s and older brother’s team, the Panthers. “I used to joke with Jett Cleary to tell his old man that I’m the best tackle bag holder there is,” Going revealed. “I know I joked about it, but I actually think Jett was probably putting in a good word for me.” As it turns out, Penrith were interested and decided to sign the 29-year-old – with just one NRL appearance under his belt – to a deal for 2026. “When Penrith reached out wanting to sign me, I was stoked,” Going said. “I didn’t even know if it was real or not… a lot of clubs tend to go for the

Kalani Going is grateful for his opportunity at Penrith. Photo: Melinda Jane.

younger boys. I signed straight away.” Before arriving at the foot of the Mountains, Going has had quite the rugby league journey. He played most of his junior footy at

the Canberra Raiders before injuries ended his time in the nation’s capital. “I trained with the NRL team under Stick (Ricky Stuart), but it didn’t work out,” Going said.

“I then moved to Tweed in Queensland for a couple of years but I wasn’t feeling it and walked away from the game, moving back home.” Back home in New Zealand, Going

began working on a family cattle farm before dipping his toe into sport again, signing with his local rugby union club and playing Rugby Sevens. “After a stint in Sevens, I found my way to the Warriors and that year I played NSW Cup,” Going said. “I debuted that same in year in ’23 and signed with the Warriors for two more years after that.” After an exciting end-of-season debut alongside his best mate Paul Roache, Going expected to see more time in first grade the following year but that didn’t happen. “In 2024, I didn’t get a game. In 2025, I didn’t get a game,” he said. “It was quite tough but because of the year we had last year, it didn’t bother me too much because we all had a lot of fun playing Cup.” With his career back on track, Going moved back to Australia, linking with the Panthers for the 2026 season. Last Friday night against Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium, Going was rewarded for his perseverance by playing in just his second NRL game at the ripe old age of 29. “I’m just grateful Penrith gave me a crack,” Going admitted. “I got to play in Round 1, and I was grateful for that opportunity. For however long I am in the team, I just want to have a good crack.”

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PANTHER RUMBLINGS

with The Masked Panther

Marto set for Roosters return Marto back next week: Penrith are expected to welcome Liam Martin back from injury for next Friday night’s clash with the Roosters at Allianz Stadium. Martin has been dealing with a calf problem sustained during the pre-season but at a pinch could have played against the Sharks this Saturday night. Instead he’ll make his first appearance for 2026 against the Chooks.

Boss back at school: Panthers CEO Matt Cameron last week visited St Dominic’s College in Kingswood (pictured right) to talk with students about leadership, challenges and responsibility. Cameron shared his personal journey and leadership values. Buses get the chop: Panthers has dumped its supporter bus for away matches. The service just isn’t sustainable any longer, but it’s a shame for those fans who don’t have any other way to get to away grounds to support the team. The club is still running buses to ‘home’ games at CommBank Stadium this year, as well as the Mudgee and Bathurst matches. Cup coach mystery: Penrith is thanking their lucky stars there’s no mandatory postmatch press conferences in the NSW Cup. If there was, they probably would have had to send someone in wearing a balaclava with a voice changer. The bizarre situation of Penrith not confirming who is coaching the reserve grade side only got weirder at St Marys Leagues Stadium last weekend. Nobody wanted to talk about it, not even the players – with any questions batted away with a cheeky smile.

Cleary decision way off: Panthers superstar Nathan Cleary is keeping his future after 2027 up in the air, dashing any hopes a new deal with Penrith could be imminent. “I’m not locking myself in any time soon,” he told the Hello Sport podcast this week. “I'm not too keen on getting into conversations about it now but I’m quite open to different scenarios.” The Panthers are growing increasingly nervous that their four-time Premiership winning halfback won’t re-sign with the club, with doubts also surrounding the future of coach Ivan Cleary beyond 2027.

Panthers favourites to win comp: Penrith’s impressive win over Brisbane on Friday night has automatically

Alamoti's brave effort: I’m told Panthers star Paul Alamoti was really unwell in the lead-up to last Friday night’s game against the Broncos. He battled on admirably but remained sick for a few days afterwards. He’s come good through the week ahead of the clash with the Sharks in Bathurst on Saturday night.

seen the side move into Premiership favourtism. The TAB has moved Penrith in to $5.50 to lift the trophy on Grand Final day in October, with the Storm and Broncos on the next line of betting at $6.50. The

Roosters are out to $9.00. The Panthers are at the slim odds of $1.12 to make the Finals. Cleary closing in: Assuming he remains injury free for most of the year, Nathan Cleary will bypass a number of legendary Panthers on the all-time games played list this season. He’ll soon go past Luke Lewis, Brad Izzard and Ryan Girdler to become the sixth most capped Panther of all-time. Bathurst close to sell-out: There’s less than a thousand tickets left for Penrith’s clash with Cronulla in Bathurst on Saturday. It’s surprising the game isn’t already sold out but it’s expected the “house full” sign will go up before kick-off. The net result for Panthers is actually not impacted by the crowd – it has a set financial arrangement with Bathurst Council regardless of the attendance. Spotted: Which new Panthers recruit was checking his hair in the window before a TV interview on Wednesday afternoon? Spill the tea: I don't keep secrets, but I do protect my sources. If you've got a story to share, or some gossip to spill, email maskedpanther@ w e s t e r n w e e k e n d e r. com.au.

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PANTHER S POS TER 40

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ANALYS IS

What’s happening with Izack Tago? W Lang on

League with Peter Lang

hen I heard early last week that Izack Tago was going to be omitted from the starting line-up I was somewhat taken by surprise. Tago is on big money, somewhere around $700,000 a season, and he’s signed until the end of the 2028 season. Sure 2025 wasn’t his best year but he wasn’t on his own in that department and he did end up having a decent Finals series. However for that price, the Panthers want more out of him on the field and his defence is just not up to par some weeks. I don’t know what Ivan Cleary meant in the after-match press conference following the team’s big win over the defending premiers last week when asked about Tago’s omission. “There are a few reasons, Izack’s preparation has been compromised a little bit for reasons that aren’t his fault and it was a decision which I thought was best for this game,” Cleary said. Maybe the reasons that ‘weren’t Tago’s fault’ will come out, maybe they won’t but if they’re truly ‘personal’ then it’s none of our business anyway. Tago played in the centres in NSW Cup last Saturday and by all reports

had a solid game running for over 200 metres. Another popular train of thought is that Tago will be moved into the second-row but it’s one that’s been floated for over three years now and it still hasn’t happened. I doubt it ever will. I know some supporters and general media see last week’s demotion as the beginning of the end for Tago at Penrith. I don’t think that’s the case. I think he’ll be a Panther for a long time to come.

Ivan the Great! I heard a great quote recently that made me think instantly of Panthers coach Ivan Cleary. “If a man has enough power he can speak softly and everyone will listen to him.” Since he became a first grade coach with the Warriors in 2006 Cleary has gone on to coach 475 games leading the Warriors and Penrith to six Grand Finals and four premierships. He’s done all this without a single crazy rant, thrown chair or even a raised voice. In fact, Cleary Senior makes a bigger impact the softer he speaks.

Izack Tago. Photo: NRL Photos.

You see it’s what he says not how loud he says it which matters. The most recent example was in a press conference after the Panthers lost last year’s Preliminary Final to the Broncos 18-14. When asked by a journo how he felt about the side’s dynasty ending, he replied in a low yet determined tone. “What’s over?” There, right there. Two words, he even said them with a wry smile. You knew at that moment he was determined to prove the naysayers wrong. He’s not afraid to make the tough decisions either, like drop Thomas Jenkins after a wonderful season in favour of Paul Alamotti on the eve of last year’s Finals series to ‘dropping’ Izack Tago on the eve of his 100th first grade game last weekend. I could give a dozen other examples because Cleary will do what he has to, for the benefit of the team, not any one individual. Players also want to play for him, make no mistake about that. I recently heard a few stories of current players waiting to see if he extends his contract before they extend theirs. Ivan Cleary is proof positive that you don’t need to speak the loudest, to get the job done right.

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the western weekender • extra time » Thursday, March 12, 2026


BEHIND THE GAME

Jenkins is a country kid at heart T

homas Jenkins has quickly become many Panthers fans’ favourite player after a standout season in 2025, and a perfect start in 2026, but at heart he is just ‘Tom the Footy Player’ from a country town. Jenkins, affectionately known as Milky by his teammates, grew up in Boorowa, a small farming town out in the southwest of NSW but said Penrith reminds him of home. “To a degree [it reminds me of home] but it’s a lot more busy here!” Jenkins laughed. “Where I’m from there’s only 2,500 people. “I just like the vibe of it [Penrith]. Everyone is pretty chill and there’s not too much chaos here. “I come here to work and it’s like five or 10 minutes away.” Being thrust into the spotlight for your job is not something a lot of footy fans can relate too, and Jenkins says knowing who

Tom Jenkins. Photo: Melinda Jane.

he is outside of footy helps him be better on the field. “Footy is such a big part of my life and it’s important to focus on it but also important to step away from it,” Jenkins explained. “I think stepping away from it is a good thing because when you do come back in here and you’re not too stressed about it and you’re not too fussed. “When I’m here, I’m ‘Tom the footy player’ and when I’m outside, ‘I’m Tom and I play footy’.” One person who knows Jenkins better than anyone else is his number one supporter, his mum. “No matter what she’ll always be there and be someone to talk to,” Jenkins said. “She loves coming to the games even though it’s a fair trek away! She’ll get to most of them but sometimes I tell her not to bother because she’s better off just watching it on TV because it’s easier, but she comes to most of the city ones when she can get to them. “She’ll be in Bathurst this week.” Let’s hope Milky scores a few tries to make mum (and the fans) proud!

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PANTHER MEMORIES Club legend Greg Alexander played his final home game for Penrith on Sunday, August 22, 1999. It was a terrific farewell for ‘Brandy’, who had returned to the Panthers in 1997 after a stint with the Auckland Warriors. 14,184 people turned up at Penrith Stadium to say goodbye and the Panthers delivered, producing an impressive 33-14 win over the Canberra Raiders. While Alexander remembers that Sunday afternoon at Penrith as his true farewell, the reality is he played one more game – at Shark Park on Saturday, August 28. It was a forgettable goodbye with Cronulla winning 38-6. (Photos thanks to NRL Images)

SCOREBOARD Missed last week’s results?

PROUDLY LOCAL. NATIONALLY RESPECTED

Here’s a rundown of what happened in key Penrith Panthers games...

NRL

Developing talent. Building communities. Growing stronger.

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0

Tries: T Jenkins 2, D Edwards, C McLean Goals: N Cleary 5/6

Tries: Goals:

Panthers

Broncos

NSW Cup Panthers

20

Tries: H Armstrong, Z Clarke, T Crosby, J Cole Goals: Z Clarke 2/4

16

Bears

Tries: A Gudgeon, T Katoa, T Steadman Goals: K Hayman 2/4

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the western weekender • extra time » Thursday, March 12, 2026

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Tries: T Patea, C Kanaan, H Lemoto, H Loza Goals: K Raven 2/3, T Patea 1/1

12

Silktails

Tries: J Railala, F Colati Goals: I Mainalovo 2/2


NRL L ADDER & FIX TURES CLUB

PD

W

D

L

B

F

A

+/-

PTS

1

Storm

1

1

0

0

0

52

4

+48

2

2

Sharks

1

1

0

0

0

50

10

+40

2

3

Panthers

1

1

0

0

0

26

0

+26

2

4

Warriors

1

1

0

0

0

42

18

+24

2

5

Knights

1

1

0

0

0

28

18

+10

2

6

Rabbitohs

1

1

0

0

0

40

30

+10

2

7

Bulldogs

1

1

0

0

0

15

14

+1

2

8

Raiders

1

1

0

0

0

29

28

+1

2

9

W. Tigers

0

0

0

0

1

0

0

0

2

10

Sea Eagles

1

0

0

1

0

28

29

-1

0

11

Dragons

1

0

0

1

0

14

15

-1

0

12

Dolphins

1

0

0

1

0

30

40

-10

0

13

Cowboys

1

0

0

1

0

18

28

-10

0

14

Roosters

1

0

0

1

0

18

42

-24

0

15

Broncos

1

0

0

1

0

0

26

-26

0

17

Titans Eels

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Thursday, March 12 8.00pm Suncorp Stadium

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Friday, March 13 6.00pm Go Media Stadium

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Friday, March 13 8.00pm Allianz Stadium

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Saturday, March 14 3.00pm Leichhardt Oval

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Saturday, March 14 5.30pm WIN Stadium

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Saturday, March 14 7.35pm Carrington Park

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Sunday, March 15 4.05pm 4 Pines Park

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Sunday, March 15 6.15pm Suncorp Stadium

IS THIS YOU? Is this you at a recent Panthers game? If it is, you’ve won a spectacular harbour cruise for two people thanks to Captain Cook Cruises. To collect your prize, visit the Weekender office at 2/42-44 Abel Street, Jamisontown and ask for Nathan Taylor.

Extra Time Issue Number 2026-002 PRODUCED BY The Western Weekender

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BYE:

Bulldogs

PL AYER OF THE YE AR

EDITOR Troy Dodds / 4722 2998 troy.dodds@westernweekender.com.au WRITERS Nathan Taylor, Peter Lang, Emily Chate ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES 4722 2998 / sales@westernweekender.com.au

weekdays on

The Western Weekender Penrith Panthers Player of the Year competition runs throughout the season, with our four experts delivering a 3, 2, 1 rating for the best Panthers players from each Penrith game. The player with the most votes at the end of the season is crowned our Player of the Year.

WAKE UP WITH

WAYNE 7AM-10AM

LAST WEEK’S POINTS: PANTHERS VS BRONCOS

LUNCH WITH

EMMA 11AM-2PM

NATHAN TAYLOR: 3 – DYLAN EDWARDS | 2 – THOMAS JENKINS | 1 – ISAAH YEO TROY DODDS: 3 – DYLAN EDWARDS | 2 – THOMAS JENKINS | 1 – ISAAH YEO PETER LANG: 3 – DYLAN EDWARDS | 2 – THOMAS JENKINS | 1 – ISAAH YEO LUKE PRIDDIS: 3 – ISAIAH PAPALI’I | 2 –THOMAS JENKINS | 1 – ISAAH YEO

AFTERNOONS WITH

Current Ladder 1st

Dylan Edwards

9

6th

2nd Thomas Jenkins

8

7th

3rd

Isaah Yeo

4

8th

4th

Isaiah Papali'i

3

9th

5th

10th

BONDI WW57677

16

Face in the C rowd

Round 2

2PM-4PM MY88.COM.AU Thursday, March 12, 2026 « the western weekender • extra time

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CELEBRIT Y TIP S TER S BRONCOS

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46

the western weekender • extra time » Thursday, March 12, 2026

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KEN HALE KEN HALE PLUMBING | 4773 9275

Thursday, March 12, 2026 « the western weekender • extra time

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the western weekender » Thursday, March 12, 2026


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