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Friday, August 18, 2017 « the western weekender • extra time
PANTHER RUMBLINGS
with the Masked Panther
CODES COLLIDE » It was a case of codes colliding at the
Panthers Rugby League Academy on Monday morning when new Wallabies captain Michael Hooper along with coach Michael Cheika visited the local facility for a special tour and media opportunity. Panthers captain Matt Moylan and coach Anthony Griffin were also in attendance as the pair showed the Wallabies’ brass around the multi-million dollar facility. Both Moylan and Hooper exchanged each other’s jerseys while Griffin and Cheika swapped tactics ahead of their sides’ crucial clashes this weekend. Earlier this week, the Wallabies called Penrith home, staying at the Mercure Hotel at Panthers and training at Pepper Stadium. They will take on the New Zealand All Blacks this Saturday night at ANZ Stadium in the opening game of the Bledisloe Cup. Judging by the smiles on their faces, the Wallabies were very impressed with what the Panthers Academy had to offer.
» Penrith deviated from normal proce-
dure last Friday by not holding a gameeve press conference with coach Anthony Griffin. Instead, in a bizarre move, the Panthers recorded their own question and answer session with Griffin and posted it on their website. It’s the first time we can recall Griffin not holding a press conference prior to a game. AAP reporter Steve Zemek claimed the pre-match ritual was cancelled under Phil Gould’s orders (something we’ve also heard from other sources), and was in breach of NRL media guidelines. It was certainly strange – such pre-game press conferences are usually about promoting the game ahead and getting bums on seats, something you’d presume Penrith would have been keen on doing for their second last home game of the season. Hopefully it’s not a sign of things to come in the way the club handles the media and its obligations.
» Former Panther Chris Grevsmuhl has
been released by the Gold Coast Titans, and the troubled forward would be at long odds to ever play in the NRL again. Controversy is currently surrounding
Grevsmuhl with some fans claiming he is involved in selling signed jerseys online, many of which never arrive. It would seem his problems have followed him from Penrith to the Gold Coast with similar rumours surrounding his sudden departure from the Panthers last year. The story has been kept behind closed doors for some time but plenty of people who claim they have been scammed are now coming forward publicly via social media.
» Could Pepper Stadium be facing a
re-name at some point in the future? The non-bank lender has agreed to a $657 million takeover from US private equity giant KKR. Pepper may well continue its current branding in Australia with no change in direction officially announced following the takeover news. Watch this space!
» Rookie Panthers backrower Corey
Harawira-Naera said he’d love to achieve a childhood dream and represent New Zealand at the upcoming Rugby League World Cup. The 22-year-old has been in outstanding form since making his NRL debut earlier this year and would be a terrific addition to the Kiwis World Cup squad. Speaking with Extra Time, the talented backrower said while it is a long shot, he’d love to be considered. “I grew up watching the Kiwis and All Blacks doing the Haka, and it’s something I’ve always wanted to do,” he said. “If I get the chance I wouldn’t say ‘no’. Hopefully I can look after my body and get the opportunity at the end of the year.”
» The Panthers, the CRL and the NSWRL
have given the green light to an initiative that will allow Penrith to field teams in the Western Region championships in what could be the first step towards fielding a Panthers-branded Intrust Super Premiership side in the region by 2022. The commitment is building on Penrith’s strong links with the region, which includes a long-term deal to take a match to Bathurst each season.
Panthers captain Matt Moylan and Wallabies captain Michael Hooper
» A huge TV audience tuned in to watch the Panthers beat the Cowboys last Saturday night. An average audience of 320,000 watched the game on Channel Nine (a great result considering the broadcast only went into two states) while 249,000 watched on Fox League.
» A victory over Canberra on Sunday
would equal Penrith’s second longest winning streak of all-time. The Panthers won seven matches in a row from round 22 in 2003 all the way to the Grand Final, and did it again when they won seven straight from round 21, 2005 to round 2, 2006 (ironically they missed both the 2005 and 2006 Finals). The record of eight straight wins was set in the 2003 season, between rounds 6 and 13.
» Talking of records, the Panthers could
equal the longest winning streak ever at Penrith Park if they beat the Dragons next Sunday. Penrith have now won six in a row on the hallowed turf, just one behind the record set way back in 1989, and equalled a decade later in 1999.
» And while we’re at it, Nathan Cleary is
on the verge of passing Greg Alexander on the ‘most points in a season’ honour board. Brandy scored 196 points in the 1985 season, with Cleary currently just four points behind with three regular season games in hand. He will also likely surpass Ryan Girdler’s 197 points (in 1997), with Girdler’s 210 points (in 2000) also under threat. First and second place will most likely be safe at least for another year – with Michael Gordon scoring 270 points in 2010 and Girdler 229 points in 1999.
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MATCH PREVIEW
A FIGHT TO THE END PANTHERS V RAIDERS | SUNDAY, AUGUST 20 • 2.00PM | GIO STADIUM | REFEREES: ASHLEY KLEIN & ALAN SHORTALL
PANTHERS 1
Dylan Edwards
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Josh Mansour Tyrone Peachey Waqa Blake Dallin Watene-Zelezniak Matt Moylan (c) Nathan Cleary James Tamou Sione Katoa Reagan Campbell-Gillard Corey Harawira-Naera Isaah Yeo Moses Leota Tyrone May Bryce Cartwright Tim Browne James Fisher-Harris Trent Merrin 19 Dean Whare
the western weekender • extra time » Friday, August 18, 2017
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RAIDERS
Josh Mansour was back to his best last weekend. Photo: Melinda Jane
TROY DODDS @troydodds
I
t is the rugby league storyline nobody thought possible two months ago. Believe it or not, the Penrith Panthers are within striking distance of the top four and despite taking the long road to the Finals, could well finish where many experts predicted in the pre-season. But with an “anything could happen” scenario surrounding the top eight, this will be a battle to the very end. The road ahead is tough, with Penrith’s final three games all against clubs who are fighting for a spot in the Finals, starting with the rejuvenated Canberra Raiders in the nation’s capital this Sunday. Sitting in 10th spot and four points out
of the eight, Canberra seem the most unlikely side to play Finals footy out of those battling for a spot, but with the Sea Eagles, Cowboys and Dragons all looking shaky, there is a chance for Ricky Stuart’s men to make a stunning late charge. The Raiders can’t afford to drop a single game and there is little doubt they’ll be switched on for Sunday’s match against a side that somehow stole victory from them back in round 14 in Bathurst. Revenge will surely be on their minds this Sunday given how important that remarkable collapse in the final minutes could end up being in the context of their season. Canberra has looked a more relaxed team since the experts wrote them off a month ago, and have cruised to victories over the Warriors, Sharks and Rabbitohs in the past three weeks, playing the kind of football we expected to see in the first half of the season.
Jarrod Croker and Nick Cotric are forming a formidable partnership on Canberra’s left hand side and it does pose a potential worry this weekend with Waqa Blake and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak needing to nullify that potent attack. The duo all but put the Warriors out of the game last Sunday when they combined to score the first two tries, opening up a 12-0 lead after 17 minutes. For Penrith, last Saturday’s game against the Cowboys followed a familiar path. Nothing spectacular, but enough. Without playing their best footy, the Panthers have won six straight and are on the verge of announcing themselves as a legitimate premiership dark horse. That announcement could well come if they manage to down the Raiders on their home turf this Sunday afternoon, setting up a blockbuster final home game of the season against the Dragons next weekend.
1
Jack Wighton
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 16 18 20
Nick Cotric Jarrod Croker (c) Joseph Leilua Jordan Rapana Blake Austin Aidan Sezer Junior Paulo Josh Hodgson Shannon Boyd Josh Papalii Joseph Tapine Elliott Whitehead Kurt Baptiste 15 Clay Priest Dave Taylor 17 Luke Bateman Michael Oldfield 19 Jeff Lima Royce Hunt 21 Erin Clark
Matt Moylan’s return last weekend was a little shaky and Penrith still have an issue with last tackle plays, which they could be punished for on Sunday – the Raiders love broken play and any seven tackle sets handed to them could be fatal to Penrith. Penrith will be without Peter Wallace, who has suffered a hand injury, but could be boosted by the late inclusion of Trent Merrin if he passes a fitness test. The Panthers will win this game up the middle but they’ll lose it out wide. Cotric, Croker, Joseph Leilua and Jordan Rapana pose a true danger and it’s Penrith’s defence that will ultimately decide the match. There is no question that this is Penrith’s toughest task of the past two months and both sides come into the contest with form and confidence. I’m expecting it to be a high scoring nail biter. Tip: Panthers by 1.
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Friday, August 18, 2017 « the western weekender • extra time
FEATURE
SEEKING REVENGE NATHAN TAYLOR @natetaylor87
P
opular Panthers winger Josh Mansour admits Penrith’s semi final loss to Canberra last year still stings and he’s eager to get some sweet revenge this weekend. The Raiders were responsible for ending Penrith’s 2016 premiership campaign with a 22-12 win during week two of last year’s playoffs. However, less than 12 months later, the tables have turned and it’s now Penrith’s chance to end Canberra’s slim top eight hopes this Sunday afternoon at GIO Stadium. After getting the chocolates in miracle fashion over the Raiders in Bathurst back in June, Mansour believes there’s a real rivalry brewing between the 1990 and 1991 Grand Final opponents.
“I think there is a rivalry growing with Canberra – it’s always a tough match-up with them especially with Jordan Rapana and Joey Leilua on my edge,” he said. “I’ll be looking forward to the contest but it won’t be an easy job. The Raiders are fighting for a Finals spot like us and, down in Canberra, it’s going to be tough.” The Panthers haven’t won in the nation’s capital since 2014 but their semi final loss last year is the defeat that hurts the most. Mansour said he hopes his teammates remember what happened on that cold night last September and get some revenge. “I think we should remind ourselves of that game,” he told Extra Time. “Last year when we lost to Canberra we all left disappointed because it knocked us out. “Bringing that feeling back and hopefully working and pushing ourselves harder to get the win will be good.” Since returning from an ACL injury
midway through the year, Mansour enjoyed one of his better performances of the season against North Queensland last weekend. Not only did he score a great individual try under the posts, he also made amends for Penrith’s last minute loss to the Cowboys back in Round 16. “I had this game penned down, I really wanted to make up for that game in Townsville – it left a bitter taste in my mouth,” Mansour admitted. “It was definitely good to get over the line… you don’t get many wingers scoring
under the posts but the gates just opened up and I went straight through.” While Mansour admits last Saturday’s victory was important for Penrith’s Finals hopes, there’s still plenty of improvement to be made both personally and from a team perspective. “I feel very good at this point in time, I knew it wasn’t going to be easy but each week I keep improving myself as a player,” he said. “We all just have to keep on bettering ourselves each week. We still have loads of improvement in us.”
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Josh Mansour has returned strongly from a knee injury. Photo: Melinda Jane
on the prowl
s i k e e w e h t f o t n e d u St Ryan Koen
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The student of the week is Ryan Koen. Ryan attends Surveyor’s Creek Public School and has been an enthusiastic participant in all of our lessons so far. At Panthers on the Prowl one of the values we teach is leadership. This is an important quality for all students even those who might be more shy to begin with. Leadership is not about being the most outspoken or taking charge rather leadership is about setting the example you would like others to follow, leading through actions with integrity and kindness. This is exactly how Ryan has approached his time at Panthers on the Prowl so far. Keep up the great work!
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KEYS TO THE TEAM NATHAN TAYLOR @natetaylor87
A
s they eye off back to back Finals appearances for the first time in 13 years, Panthers captain Matt Moylan believes 19-year-old halfback Nathan Cleary is the man to lead Penrith to the post-season and beyond. Cleary enjoyed another standout performance during last weekend’s win over a brave and busted North Queensland outfit – scoring a double, kicking four from four and saving a near certain try by hulking Cowboys forward Coen Hess. According to teammate Corey HarawiraNaera, Cleary’s try saver on the Queensland Origin star midway through the second half was the turning point for the Panthers. “I think Nathan’s try saving tackle on Coen Hess was one of the biggest plays of the game,” the rookie backrower told Extra Time. “It typified our side’s attitude that we were going to punch through their line
and save as many tries as we could.” Cleary has been the subject of recent reports that club bosses are eager to ink the talented teenager to a new five-year deal, which will see him become the face of Penrith well into the future. While Cleary has remained tightlipped about his future beyond 2019 when his current deal expires, Harawira-Naera believes the youngster deserves everything that comes his way. “It’s pretty cool to see him in talks for an extension already,” he said. “Nath’s earned it and I’m really happy for him.” Penrith skipper Matt Moylan agreed, revealing Cleary as one of the hardest working players at the club. “Nathan’s going really well and I think it’s a credit to him and how he trains,” Moylan told Extra Time. “He is always one of the last blokes off the field and he’s always out here working on whatever he thinks he needs to. He’s reaping the rewards for that now.” After a stellar second year in first grade, Cleary is just eight points shy of becoming the youngest player in NRL history to record 200 points in a season.
the western weekender • extra time » Friday, August 18, 2017
FEATURE
Nathan Cleary scored a double in Penrith’s win over the Cowboys. Photo: Melinda Jane Moylan, who finally returned from injury to partner Cleary in the halves last Saturday evening, said the former St Dominic’s College student officially has the keys to team. “Nath’s obviously leading us around
and he’s been doing a good job, especially these last couple of months – I just have to try and fit in,” Moylan said. “Nath’s the halfback, he’s leading us around, and I’ve got to try and complement his game and fit in around that.”
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Friday, August 18, 2017 « the western weekender • extra time
Three coaches who have defined the 2017 season
JAMIE SOWARD
I
was playing my best footy when my coaches connected with me on more than a just a football level. My top three NRL coaches for 2017, I believe, get the best out of their squad because of that very reason. The three coaches I’ve chosen have done the best this year not because of their win/loss record but because they’ve got the most out of their squad purely on understanding their players, man management and putting a system in place where everyone knows their role. Craig Bellamy – Melbourne (pictured) There’s no better coach in the game at getting the best out of his players than Craig Bellamy. Yes Melbourne have built a culture down there around three of the best of all time but it’s the way Craig is able to get the most out of his fringe first grade players and up and comers each week that’s the most impressive. You look at Suliasi Vunivalu, Josh AddoCarr and all their other fringe first graders that no one had heard of, or could get a run elsewhere – and they end up in Melbourne playing their best football. That’s all down to Craig Bellamy and the structures he has in place.
Trent Barrett – Manly Sea Eagles At the start of the year, many people wouldn’t have had Manly in their top eight predictions but despite being $2 million under the cap, the Sea Eagles are right in the mix to play Finals footy. I put this success down to their coach Trent Barrett and how he’s managed to simplify the game plan where they almost play like the Melbourne Storm. Blake Green steers the team around like Cooper Cronk and Daly Cherry-Evans is like Cameron Munster. Plus Barrett’s also been able to turn the careers around of many players who would have been rejects at their former clubs, much like what Bellamy has done at the Storm. Barrett’s somehow, some way got these players all competing for one another this year, and Manly are set to have a serious football team for many years to come. Trent Robinson – Sydney Roosters Every fan will say that their club is under the most pressure each year to make the Finals but, after what the Roosters went through last year, there was no coach in the competition that would have demanded more of himself than Trent Robinson. The way Trent’s managed to revitalise
this group of players is unbelievable. Mitchell Pearce is back to his best, Michael Gordon has wound back the clock and Latrell Mitchell is playing terrific at centre. You can see Robinson has really re-energised the playing group – they respect
the western weekender • extra time » Friday, August 18, 2017
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him, they play for him and that’s why they are one of two teams that will give the Storm a scare come Finals time. To me, Craig Bellamy is the best coach in the game but Trent Robinson deserves to be named the 2017 Coach of the Year.
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Friday, August 18, 2017 « the western weekender • extra time
IN PICTURES Photos: Melinda Jane
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Friday, August 18, 2017 « the western weekender • extra time
PD
W
D
L
B
F
A
Storm
21
17
0
4
2
493
312
2 Broncos
21
14
0
7
2
519
359 +160 32
3 Roosters
21
14
0
7
2
442
380
+62
32
4 Sharks
21
13
0
8
2
410
357
+53
30
5 Eels
21
13
0
8
2
392
399
-7
30
6 Panthers
21
12
0
9
2
452
393
+59
28
7 Sea Eagles
21
12
0
9
2
486
449
+37
28
8 Cowboys
21
12
0
9
2
419
383
+36
28
9 Dragons
21
11
0
10
2
485
386
+99 26
CLUB
1
+/-
PTS
+181 38
10 Raiders
21 10
0
11
2
484
411
+73
24
11 Rabbitohs
21
8
0
13
2
406
460
-54
20
12 Warriors
21
7
0
14
2
389
489 -100 18
13 Bulldogs
21
7
0
14
2
278
405
-127 18
14 Titans
21
7
0
14
2
410
562
-152 18
15 W. Tigers
21
6
0
15
2
353
511
-158 16
16 Knights
21
5
0
16
2
370
532
-162 14
Round 24
/ / / / / / / /
FACE IN THE CROWD
Thursday, August 17 7.50pm ANZ Stadium
Friday, August 18 6pm ANZ Stadium
Friday, August 18 8pm Suncorp Stadium
Saturday, August 19 3pm McDonald Jones Stadium
IS THIS YOU? Saturday, August 19 5.30pm Allianz Stadium Saturday, August 19 7.30pm 1300 Smiles Stadium Sunday, August 20 2pm GIO Stadium
the western weekender • extra time » Friday, August 18, 2017
NRL LADDER AND FIXTURES
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Friday, August 18, 2017 « the western weekender • extra time
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Battle in nation’s capital will be the game of the round
brenton Speed
I
’m absolutely pumped to be calling this Sunday afternoon’s blockbuster clash between the Penrith Panthers and Canberra Raiders at GIO Stadium live and exclusive on FOX League. If you remember the classic these two teams dished up in June, I wrote in this column back then how that game could be the turning point in Penrith’s season. And if you flip that result around and have a four point turnaround with two points for Canberra and minus two points for Penrith, these two teams would be level on premiership points heading into this round. It really puts in perspective how big that June 10 result in Bathurst really was for the Panthers. Whether you’ve got FOX League at home or you have to watch it at a pub at 2pm this Sunday, you can’t miss what’s set to be the game of the round. The rivalry between the Panthers and Raiders is immense and dates back decades. Who can forget last year’s Finals series when the Raiders sent Penrith packing, and then more recently in Bathurst when Joseph Tapine and Corey Harawira-Naera
went toe to toe on the stroke of half-time. Both were sent to the bin. The Raiders are in fine form of late and what I believe has changed for them in recent weeks is Elliott Whitehead’s under the radar move into the middle after switching from that right edge with Joey Leilua and Jordan Rapana. Whitehead’s now playing up the middle and Raiders coach Ricky Stuart has thrown Tapine into that edge role. I think Whitehead has grown an extra leg courtesy of this move and that will be another player that Penrith will have to be wary of come this Sunday. For the Panthers, rookie Harawira-Naera has been another player that’s flown under the radar in recent weeks. Each and every week he seems to be making the highlight reel and, of course, he was the one that scored that crucial try in Bathurst which sparked that almighty comeback with two minutes to go. Trent Merrin could also return for Penrith on Sunday (pictured). While this Sunday’s game isn’t a mustwin for Penrith like it is for Canberra, I think a victory will really propel the Panthers right into the premiership
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conversation if they can knock off Canberra in the nation’s capital. The Raiders are playing their best footy of the season right now but the Panthers
will gain a massive confidence boost if they can beat them down there because they’ll feel like they can overcome anyone anywhere heading into September footy.
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SCOREBOARD
FINALS FAILURE
NRL PANTHERS 24 COWBOYS 16 Luke Walsh during the game against Canberra in the 2010 Finals
TROY DODDS @troydodds
P
enrith made the Finals in 2010 but despite finishing second, fell out of the premiership race quickly, losing in both week one and week two. It was the first and only time the Panthers had made the Finals under coach Matt Elliott, and Penrith had finished the regular season in second position. Hopes were high at the foot of the Mountains, with the final three regular season games resulting in big wins for Penrith – a 54-18 thrashing of Souths, a 24-18 win over the Bulldogs and a 50-12 defeat of Cronulla. But Elliott’s inexperienced side found it tough in their opening Finals match, despite it being played at Penrith
Stadium in front of a vocal and large home crowd. Penrith went into the game as favourites, and all eyes were on the halves combination of Travis Burns and Luke Walsh, who had combined to ensure Penrith scored plenty of tries in the 2010 season, many of them from kicks. But the Raiders found something special, with captain Terry Campese producing a five-star performance to lead Canberra to a 24-22 win. The win shocked the Penrith faithful, and the players, who were most likely expecting a weekend off the following week – something that would have been achieved if they’d defeated the seventh placed Raiders. While the end result was disappointing, the match will be remembered for one of the great Finals tries, scored by Panthers winger Sandor Earl. Earl produced a magical dive into the corner to score a try that got Penrith back into
the game, but his incredible acrobatic skills weren’t enough to save Penrith. All of a sudden, Penrith was facing sudden death in week two of the Finals. Their opponent was the Sydney Roosters, who the previous week had defeated the Wests Tigers 19-15 in an absolute thriller at the Sydney Football Stadium. The Panthers were forced to make a range of positional changes prior to kickoff, and perhaps the death knell was sounded when it was confirmed that winger Adrian Purtell had been moved into the second row. Michael Gordon moved to the wing to cover him, while a young Lachlan Coote played fullback. The Panthers simply couldn’t compete, and ultimately went down 34-12 and were eliminated from the 2010 Finals series. The Roosters would go on to play in the Grand Final, going down to the red hot St George-Illawarra Dragons.
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FUTURE FINANCIAL SERVICES 4704 8585
HARVEY NORMAN 4737 5111
FOX LEAGUE
GARTON GROUP MCDONALD’S 4721 2992
ALEX MCKENZIE
PETER ANDERSON
ANDREW VOSS
IAN GARTON
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KEMPS CREEK CEMETERY 9826 2273
MBR REALTY 4732 2888
KELLY PARTNERS 4721 7433
MACQUARIE ACCOUNTANTS 4731 5628
KIM RILEY
MICHAEL BALL
CHARBEL GEAGEA
CHRIS AYLING
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RAINE & HORNE COMMERCIAL 4722 8500
ALL OFFICE BOOK KEEPING 4733 7751
PRD NATIONWIDE PENRITH 0414 620 532
STATE PENRITH MP 4722 8660
KATE RADCLIFFE
CAROL COLLETTE
DARREN LATTY
STUART AYRES
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188
LOWER MOUNTAINS AIR 4735 6411
CHRIS LAWLER BUILDING 0405 107 506
S&L CONCRETE 0411 704 302
PROPERTY CENTRAL 0410 338 040
ANTHEA STRATHDEE
CHRIS LAWLER
SHANE MUSCAT
LEE WATERHOUSE
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ABL TILE AND BATHROOM CENTRE 9623 0499
HERTZ 4731 6344
AT PRINT 4731 5055
SUPREMACY FUNERALS 4721 2020
TANYA DAVIS
TEENA EDWARDS
AARON TYERS
DONNA HILDON
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HOTONDO HOMES 4751 5222
VISION PERSONAL TRAINING 4742 5079
PENRITH HOMEMAKER CENTRE 4737 9800
DICKIES TOWING 4736 4400
PAUL SPICER
CHRIS GROSS
STACEY GLANVILLE
NARELLE TUBIE
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160 A STEP AHEAD FOOT + ANKLE CARE 4732 2007
BRENDEN BROWN Titans Warriors Dragons Storm
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188 Roosters Cowboys Panthers Sea Eagles
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tr ivia 1. Matt Elliott (pictured) coached both Penrith and Canberra. Which other coach was also in charge of both clubs? 2. How many times have Penrith and Canberra met in a Grand Final? 3. Which Panthers winger made a mid-season switch to Canberra earlier this season? 4. Who won the 1991 Clive Churchill Medal?
ANSWERS: 1. Tim Sheens 2. Two 3. Michael Oldfield 4. Bradley Clyde
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the western weekender • extra time » Friday, August 18, 2017
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G C R , O E Y H A ISA
S I L L E E D I A K AND
WEDNESDAY, 23RD AUGUST McDonald’s Penrith High St Time: 6.30pm PLAYERS ARE SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY AND MAY CANCEL WITHOUT NOTICE. WW27510