Extra Time May 28 2026

THE FINAL WORD

There’s just something about the Warriors in 2026.

In the past the Auckland-based side has given their fans so much hope and yet so often failed to deliver.

Seasons that promised so much that ultimately fall over somewhere.

Finals campaigns that faded with barely a whimper.

Consistency has not been a word you associate with the Warriors, and yet that is exactly what coach Andrew Webster is getting out of them this year.

Committed performances, confident efforts and a belief that I’m not sure I’ve seen in this football side for some time.

And have a look at some of their performances – they’ve not just beaten but thrashed the likes of the Roosters, Raiders, Knights, Storm and Broncos.

They’ve won tight matches too, slipping

home against the Dolphins in Wellington and the Titans back at home in Auckland.

Their two slip-ups against the Tigers and Sharks were disappointing but hardly cause for major alarm.

This Sunday, they come up against Penrith in a top-of-the-table contest nobody saw coming. Certainly not the NRL schedulers, who kept this out of the free-to-air range and on a lonely Sunday night on the edge of the winter.

Penrith have named all of their Origin stars for this clash on the extended bench but coach Ivan Cleary hinted earlier this week that if they pull up OK from Wednesday night, they will likely play.

I would expect mass team changes an hour before kick-off on Sunday.

The Warriors have opted to rest Mitch Barnett and Kurt Capewell completely, leaving them out of even the extended side.

It appears Te Maire Martin will again wear the number seven jumper for the Warriors despite the availability of Luke Metcalf, who would have been the obvious choice to replace the

injured Tanah Boyd. But Martin impressed against the Dragons last Saturday night and you can understand why Webster would be unwilling to tinker with the winning formula.

Metcalf is on the extended bench, but will likely drop off before Sunday.

There is no doubt this will be Penrith’s biggest test of the season so far. And the statistics back up the theory that this could be one of the games of the season.

Consider this: the Warriors have scored 350 points this season, more than any other side in the NRL but only a single point more than Penrith. They’ve scored 61 tries, again one more than Penrith.

The Warriors complete better than any other side, with an average completion rate of 83 per cent this season. Penrith sit fifth at 79 per cent.

Penrith average more run metres and clearly strangle sides with their defence, but the Warriors get more kick metres than any other side – suggesting they too know how to dominate field position and frustrate opposition sides.

Fox League’s laughable (but commercially

sponsored so therefore critical) Momentum Tracker may have trouble keeping up with this one (if it did anything else but switch the momentum when each team scores a try, that is).

One stat that perhaps would have Penrith fans worried is their poor handling at times this season. In fact despite their position on top of the table, Penrith have made the second most handling errors of any side this season, only behind the Titans.

The Warriors meanwhile average the lowest handling errors of any side in the NRL. Has the often unpredictable, toss the ball around and hope for the best style of the Warriors finally been replaced with a more responsible, even restrained style of play?

Penrith will likely remain on top of the table no matter the result of this game but the opportunity to join them on 22 competition points will surely be enough to have the Warriors switched on. This is a great mid-season indicator of where both teams are at.

Tip: Panthers by 2.

Garner confident in coach Wallace

Penrith forward Luke Garner has revealed how the playing group initially found out about Ivan Cleary’s impending retirement as coach of the Panthers.

Most people suspected the Panthers playing group were aware well before the bombshell news broke in the media earlier this month, but according to Garner that wasn’t the case.

“We came off the training field and saw the rumours on our phones. It was a bit of a rude shock and a bittersweet feeling,” the 30-yearold told Extra Time

Shortly after seeing the unconfirmed reports of Cleary’s future on social media, the fourtime premiership winning coach gathered the playing group and club staff together in the Academy to announce that he would not be returning to Penrith as head coach in 2028.

“It’s his decision, which is great and exactly how you want to go, so I’m happy for him and he can enjoy his life and go travel,” Garner said.

“We’ll obviously enjoy the rest of this year and next year with Iv and then Wal will take over. I’m looking forward to seeing out Iv’s time here and try to send him out on a high.”

Following Cleary’s emotional speech to the playing group, it was immediately announced that former Panthers captain turned assistant coach Peter Wallace would take over from season 2028. Garner said everyone was very

excited to hear the tough as nails former halfback and hooker got the gig.

“You couldn’t ask for a better replacement than Peter Wallace,” Garner said.

“Everyone loves Wal. He’s such a good coach. He’s smart. He lives our values and I think it was just a natural progression.

“Once Iv said he was going to retire, a few of us were thinking about what’s next. I think we all probably assumed that Wal would take over and lucky for us and this club, he’s the guy.”

Following a short trip to Queenstown with his wife last week, Garner is eager to return to the footy field this weekend as the Panthers take on the Warriors in a top-of-the-table showdown at CommBank Stadium.

This Sunday night’s blockbuster is being billed as the “Finals come early”, with the Warriors sitting just two premiership points

away from first place.

Garner said he’s not surprised at how well the Auckland-based club is playing this year.

“They’ve been a great team for a while now, so I’m not surprised at all that they are second on the ladder,” he said.

“Webby’s (Andrew Webster) a great coach. They have some really good players in their team, so it doesn’t surprise me in the slightest they are where they are.”

Boosting Penrith’s chances of victory over New Zealand is the inclusion of backrower Liam Martin, whose been named to return from injury after seven weeks on the

“Marto’s been looking good. He’s been

“He hasn’t played a whole lot of footy this year, so he’s a bit antsy and wants to get back out there. He’s been training well and I’m looking forward to having him back.”

Forward thinking for Tago

After a personal matter delayed Izack Tago’s start to the season, the 24-year-old three-time premiership winner is finally back doing what he loves.

Tago missed the opening six weeks of the NRL competition but returned against the Dolphins in Darwin in Round 7 for his 100th NRL game.

It was a pivotal game for the Samoan international. Not only did he finally notch up his century milestone, but he did it in style – playing a crucial role in Golden Point to set up the thrilling one-point win.

“It was a milestone for my career, so I was happy to get that far regardless of what the result was, but to come away with the win and the fashion that we did it, was pretty cool,” Tago told Extra Time on Wednesday.

The St Marys junior has made a big name for himself playing at centre, but with Penrith’s centre pairing of Paul Alamoti and Casey McLean playing at such a high level, he has been unable to regain his usual jersey.

With coach Ivan Cleary determined to see Tago in first grade, he decided to play him in the backrow – a position he played a lot coming through the Panthers system.

Tago said he was always hopeful Cleary would find a place for him in the team.

“At the end of the day, whoever is playing the best is going to be playing,” he admitted.

“I was just training every day and tried to attack every day as it comes, but obviously I knew the backs were going so well, but I just tried to chal

lenge the boys at training and did what I could to get back.”

Tago’s determination certainly paid off, playing the past five games in the NRL for five wins.

He said learning a new position in the middle of the season has its challenges.

“There’s lots of elements of the game that’s different but, at the end of the day, it’s a footy game, so a lot of the principles are still pretty similar,” Tago said.

“It’s probably a lot more tackling as opposed to running in the backrow.”

Penrith will return to the paddock this Sunday night, up against the second placed New Zealand Warriors at CommBank Stadium.

The Panthers will be well-rested following last week’s bye, which was very much needed following the bombshell coach Cleary dropped on the team just days prior.

“I wasn’t expecting Iv to announce anything like that,” Tago said.

“I’m happy for him. He’s had a long career both playing and coaching and had lots of success, especially recently, so it was probably good for him.

“Spending time with his family and things like that is obviously something that’s important to him, so I’m just happy for him.” Season 2028 will see Peter Wallace assume the role as head coach, with Tago upbeat about his chances of succeeding in the top grade.

“Wal’s played lots with the Panthers and obviously he’s been coaching too,” he said.

“It’s pretty cool for him and he’s had more of a hands-on approach with coaching now being assistant coach.”

Reunion rumours intensify

Reunion has appeal: I told you some weeks ago that Brian To’o would be a particular target of other NRL clubs and the chances of Penrith retaining him were slim. While To’o can’t speak to other clubs until November, there is no question that a reunion with his good mate Jarome Luai at the PNG Chiefs is a serious possibility. The To’o and Luai families are close, and given how important family connection will be for those going to the Chiefs, I’m not sure it’ll take all that much convincing for To’o to join his good mate. Especially when he sees the financial offer!

Boss’ exit no great shock: It wasn’t a huge surprise to clubland that NRL CEO Andrew Abdo is stepping down. In fact, many club bosses thought it may happen earlier. It’s perhaps also no great shock that many of the clubs think Peter V’landys may well take on the CEO role in the long-term, which under the current constitution would require him to step down as Chairman. “Leading the NRL has been a privilege and the highlight of my career,” Abdo said this week. “Rugby League has given me opportunities I could only have dreamed of, experiences that cannot be compared and I have made friendships for a lifetime. It has been an honour to be part of the rugby league family.”

Cleary’s Abdo tribute: Panthers coach Ivan Cleary has credited Andrew Abdo for his leadership during his run as CEO, especially during the COVID period. “I think our sport was head and shoulders above a lot of others in that period,” Cleary said. “He and Peter made some really bold decisions then and since then the game has only grown.”

Vossy gets Origin shot: He may be one of the longest serving broadcasters in the game but Andrew Voss finally got to call his first State of Origin match on Wednesday night. The call for Fox League’s replay and long-term archives is usually looked after by Warren Smith, who has been off since the start of the year battling ill health. Vossy stepped in and did a great job bringing colour and flair to the Origin call.

Marooned: I’m no Queenslander but I’m enjoying Darren Groth’s Marooned, a new book released through Hawkeye Publishing. Marooned uses a crossroads moment for a rugby league loving family as the spur to look back on Darren’s lifelong love of the Queensland rugby league team and explore the role it

has played in shaping and affirming his identity. Written as a chronological series of funny, thoughtful and accessible essays, the memoir chronicles the author’s unique journey as a Maroon devotee, the highs and lows on and off the field, the key place the team has occupied in the relationship with his father and disabled son, and its necessity in connecting him to his state of origin while living far from home. It’s in all good bookstores now.

Backing the Panthers: We all know Penrith’s businesses do a great job decorating their shops when Penrith make the Grand Final. I’m told this year, plans are underway for businesses to get the decorations up earlier and for Panther Pride to be shown through the city from mid-year. It’s designed to back the Panthers’ run towards the Finals and would show just how much the city is behind the footy team. Expect a formal announcement about the initiative in July.

TV talk: Negotiations around the next broadcast deal have started this week. The big news leaked so far has been that Channel Nine is aiming to get exclusive rights to the entire slate of games, to be split between free-to-air broadcast and Stan. I’m told it is a somewhat unlikely scenario as the more lucrative deal for the NRL is likely to split the rights between two broadcasters. But Nine has certainly made things interesting.

Spotted: Panthers star Casey McLean looking good in Blue and fitting right in to his first Origin camp this week.

Breen’s blow-up: It was interesting to see Sydney Morning Herald sports boss Neil Breen blowing up about the scheduling of the Panthers v Warriors top-of-the-table clash on a Sunday night at 6.15pm. Sure, the game isn’t on free-to-air TV but I’m not sure why we’re looking at the Sunday evening slot as such a problem. It is absolute prime time for TV – Sunday nights are gold – and the kick-off isn’t super late for families to get to the game. It’s worth noting that Penrith’s match against Manly in Round 9, also in the Sunday 6.15pm slot, rated higher on Fox and Kayo than the Sunday 2pm game against Newcastle and the Sunday 4pm game against Canberra either side of it. The crowd was also higher than the 2025 average at CommBank Stadium despite the timeslot.

PANTHERS POSTER

Pete’s mid-season report card

Welcome one and all to the Mid-season Report Card.

Last year my report cards were pretty brutal at times with one receiving a ‘D’ overall ranking.

I think we all know that this report is going to score high with 10 wins and only one loss.

Still the Panthers aren’t playing perfect football just yet, even with such a healthy winning record.

There are still areas they need to improve in.

Read below and find out more...

Attack: Penrith are ranked number two when it comes to points scored with 349, only one point behind the Warriors who have scored 350 points.

Apart from a two-point victory over the high-flying Manly Sea Eagles, the Panthers have racked up plenty of double-digit scores, especially during the first five rounds (40, 44, 48 and 50).

Their attack is really

coming together with plenty of sweeping backline movements and energy from the players who are regularly breaking tackles. However, it can be a little clunky at times especially against teams they are expected to beat.

GRADE: A

Defence: The Panthers are back to their stingy best when it comes to leaking points. There’s only one game where they conceded more than 30 points and that was against the Bulldogs. Since then, opposition teams have found points hard to come by with scores like 0, 4, 6, 6 and 10 posted against the Panthers. Penrith are the number

one defensive side with only 146 points conceded, the next best is the Warriors with 194. Premierships are built on defence and at the halfway mark the Panthers are well on their way.

GRADE: A+

Player performances: All the big guns are in career best form, from Dally M leader Nathan Cleary, who is playing sublime football to fullback Dylan Edwards, co-captain Isaah Yeo and NSW Blues debutant Casey McLean. This star-studded cast is well supported by Brian To’o, Thomas Jenkins, Paul Alamoti and Isaiah Papali’i. You know I might be better off just

GRADE: A

Who needs to lift: If I’m being honest there aren’t too many players who need to lift their game but there is one. I’ve been disappointed with how Lindsay Smith has been playing. He’s not playing poorly but something just seems to be missing from his game this season and he’s not having the same impact he did in the back half of last year.

Players to watch: After a slow start for reasons well-documented Izack Tago is really starting to find his feet again. His move to the second-row is working well with his speed and footwork caus-

ing opposition sides plenty of headaches on the edges. I also think five-eighth Blaize Talagi is showing why he has been selected as a shadow player for the NSW Blues.

Coaching: Not much I can criticise about Ivan’s coaching this season. He seems to be doing everything right. He knows the boys aren’t the finished product but they don’t have to be at the halfway mark because the NRL competition is a marathon not a sprint.

GRADE: A+

If I’m being critical: I’d have to say the only one thing the team needs to improve is how they sometimes perform against teams they’re expected to easily beat like the Dogs and Dragons. True I’m being exceptionally picky here but it’s worth taking a look at, as Penrith play several teams sitting well outside the eight in the coming months.

OVERALL GRADE: A+

BEHIND THE GAME

Family first for footy mad Dylan

or Penrith Panthers

Ffullback Dylan Edwards, the best part of any game happens after the final whistle blows.

From Grand Finals to State of Origin, nothing beats the moment when Edwards’ two little girls, Bronte and Winter, run onto the field to celebrate.

“To be able to have a cuddle with them after the game and get them on the field is exciting,” Edwards said with a smile.

The two girls, along with Edwards’ wife Nadine, are the ones who celebrate every high and are there when the game dishes out its challenges.

“They are my biggest supporters but they’re also very grounding,”

Edwards said.

“I think I’m a dad and husband

first when I’m at home. They provide an outlet outside of footy and a shoulder to lean on and an ear to talk to, particularly my wife.

“I just feel heard when I’m with them.”

At home, like many families, there is always a fight to pick what goes on the TV but if Edwards gets his way it’s going to be footy.

“If I have control of the TV, I will watch every game… That’s the battle isn’t it! I try and get the remote as quickly as I can and flick it on without them putting a show on but if the footy is on, they know to leave it on,” he said.

“I’ll try and get them to sit down and watch it with me, but they don’t cooperate all the time.”

As the 30-year-old approaches his 200th game, he reflected on what footy has taught him.

“Footy has taught me resilience and hard work,” Edwards said.

“I think those two things as well as a good attitude and putting in a bit of effort.

I think if you tick those boxes it puts you in a good stead for a lot of things in life.”

with Emily Chate

Quick Questions

Coffee order:

Small cappuccino, extra shot

Cheat meal:

Some sort of baked good

Favourite tv show: ‘Ted Lasso’ or ‘Peaky Blinders’ Favourite musician: Luke Combs

Peet peeve: People being late

Who did you support growing up: Parramatta

Go to streaming service: Netflix

“Ben Ikin won’t do the job. He has already got another job and he’s excited about it. It’s nothing to do with rugby league. I don’t think he could work at the NRL with the way it is managed.”

Paul Kent on Ben Ikin becoming NRL CEO

THEY SAID IT...

“Andrew has done a great job. He has overseen a really hard period in the game.”

“I am ready to fight. Nothing is going to take me out easy.”

“I don’t think he’s a long-term halfback. I don’t think we ever had the intention of him being a long-term halfback.”

Phil Gould on Lachlan Galvin

“You would not meet a more loyal person than Andrew and I’m very fortunate to have had him as a friend and confidant.”

“I’ve got to send out an apology to Tom Chester. I had a slip-up in commentary.”

“As soon as it got to 8pm, I’d feel like it was an acceptable time to go to bed. I’d hit the pillow and it was the highlight of my day.”

Joel Caine on his mental health struggles

“Rugby league has given me opportunities I could only have dreamed of, experiences that cannot be compared and I have made friendships for a lifetime. It has been an honour to be part of the rugby league family.”

Outgoing NRL CEO Andrew Abdo

NRL LADDER & FIXTURES

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