#NRL

Emerging Blue puts contract talks on hold

Stewart Moses

Jan 18, 2018
3 min

Emerging Blue puts contract talks on hold

The long-term playing future of Nathan Cleary is unlikely to be resolved any time soon after the Penrith halfback confirmed he will defer contract talks until the end of the 2018 season. The confirmation comes in the wake of recent comments made by Phil Gould AM, on radio sports program “The Big Sports Breakfast,” where the Panthers Executive GM revealed he would not pursue Cleary for a new deal and that it was up to Nathan to re-commence contract talks. Cleary, who was atten

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Stewart Moses

Jan 13, 2018
2 min

Settled Tamou primed for a big 2018

By his own admission James Tamou’s first season as a Panther was an inconsistent one. The former Cowboys prop came to Penrith with plenty of fanfare given he was the club’s star recruit. But despite being one of three players to have played every games for the Panthers last season, his form was notably down on what he was able to produce previously for North Queensland. Looking back on 2017, Tamou admits the move from Townsville to Penrith was a tougher challenge than he expe

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Will 2018 be captaincy candidate Peter Wallace's last season?

Stewart Moses

Dec 20, 2017
3 min

Will 2018 be captaincy candidate Peter Wallace's last season?

Panthers hooker Peter Wallace has declared his interest in taking over from the recently departed Matt Moylan as Penrith captain again in 2018, despite being unclear as to whether he will play on after next season. Moylan's departure has opened the door for several candidates to take over as captain of Penrith's NRL team, including Trent Merrin, Isaah Yeo and even Reagan Campbell-Gillard. But while a compelling case can be made for each candidate, Peter Wallace is the man mos

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"Baby team" has unfinished business: Brennan

Stewart Moses

Sep 29, 2017
3 min

"Baby team" has unfinished business: Brennan

A guarded Garth Brennan at this stage remains committed to Penrith in 2018 in the wake of his third lower grades title in five years after his young Panthers side defeated minor premiers Wyong 20-12 in last Sunday’s Intrust Super Premiership decider. Since joining the club from Newcastle in 2012, Brennan has been involved in finals footy in all six years, with title wins in both Holden Cup (2013) and Intrust Super Premiership titles (2014, 2017). Brennan now takes his team to

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LAST SAY: Griffin defends unbeaten streak as a sell-out Dragons' clash looms

Stewart Moses

Aug 27, 2017
6 min

LAST SAY: Griffin defends unbeaten streak as a sell-out Dragons' clash looms

Panthers coach Anthony Griffin has defended ongoing doubts over the validity of Penrith's seven game unbeaten streak. Griffin, who turned 51 yesterday, is hoping that his young side can deliver the perfect gift with a club equaling record eighth consecutive win that will seal a back-to-back spot in the finals for the first time since 2003-04. The Panthers have beaten just two top eight teams all season and have not a current top five team at all in 2017. But while Penrith's 1

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LAST SAY: Griffin defends Rein omission, admits officiating concerns

Stewart Moses

Aug 19, 2017
4 min

LAST SAY: Griffin defends Rein omission, admits officiating concerns

Much has been made of Griffin's selection calls in 2017. The decision to drop Te Maire Martin. The decision to eventually move Matt Moylan to five-eighth. The decision to play Reagan Campbell-Gillard off the bench. And of course the decision to drop Moylan, Waqa Blake and Peta Hiku to the Intrust Super Premiership for a week after breaking curfew in Melbourne. But the decision to rely on Sione Katoa and possibly Tyrone May instead of Mitch Rein to oppose inform Canberra rake

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Penrith’s need for first half speed: Tamou

Stewart Moses

Aug 18, 2017
3 min

Penrith’s need for first half speed: Tamou

The Panthers are on a NRL season equaling six match unbeaten streak. But it’s fair to say that despite their unbeaten run, the side also hasn’t played to its full potential in that time either. While Penrith have dominated teams in the second half, having outscored the opposition 82-36 in that six game run, it’s been a far different story in the first half where the Panthers have led at the break only on three occasions with a 60-48 for and against advantage. Wrong options an

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Father-to-be Blake back where he belongs

Stewart Moses

Aug 18, 2017
3 min

Father-to-be Blake back where he belongs

It’s been a roller coaster ride for Waqa Blake in 2017. The return from injury of Kiwi internationals Dean Whare and Peta Hiku at season’s start pushed Blake back out to the wing. A stint in the Intrust Super Premiership then followed after Blake was one of three Panthers who broke curfew in Melbourne. Then with Tyrone Peachey's switch back to the bench midway through the season, Blake, who has been accustomed to playing out at right centre, soon found himself playing inside

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LAST SAY: Moylan returns for Penrith's moment of truth

Stewart Moses

Aug 12, 2017
4 min

LAST SAY: Moylan returns for Penrith's moment of truth

Penrith have been boosted by news that captain Matt Moylan has passed his fitness test and will take his place for tonight's pivotal match against Paul Green's injury depleted yet ever resilient North Queensland Cowboys side. Moylan's return from a hamstring injury that has seen him miss three of Penrith's five consecutive wins is timely given the Panthers' tough run in to the finals, despite having reclaimed a spot in the top eight with last week's at times unconvincing 28-1

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Campbell-Gillard answers his coach's call

Stewart Moses

Aug 5, 2017
3 min

Campbell-Gillard answers his coach's call

Questions were asked as how the loss of Penrith’s influential lock-forward, Trent Merrin until at least Round 25, would impact on Penrith’s tight run into the finals. Having started the season slowly, the Australian test forward had regained his form only to succumb to a knee injury in Penrith’s Round 19 win over the NZ Warriors. But as often the case, such injuries have a silver lining. In this instance, the injury has allowed Panthers enforcer, Reagan Campbell-Gillard to

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Stewart Moses

Aug 5, 2017
3 min

May as well make the most of it

Viliame Kikau scored on debut in Penrith’s Round Two win over the Wests Tigers. As did Corey Harawira-Naera two rounds later in Penrith’s big home win over Newcastle. And so did Penrith's latest NRL debutant Tyrone May, who scored on debut three rounds back that helped the Panthers defeat the New Zealand Warriors. His NRL opportunities might look limited to covering for the on-going absence of regular five-eighth and skipper Matt Moylan (hamstring). But the latest member of t

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LAST SAY: Tough call as Penrith focus solely on Titanic clash

Stewart Moses

Jul 22, 2017
4 min

LAST SAY: Tough call as Penrith focus solely on Titanic clash

Panthers coach Anthony Griffin has made the call to drop in-form replacement hooker Mitch Rein for the returning Peter Wallace, for this afternoon's crucial clash with the Gold Coast Titans at Pepper Stadium. In five appearances in Wallace's absence due to a groin injury suffered a day out from being announced as NSW's Origin hooker for game one, Rein has been instrumental in Penrith winning four of those games during that period. The ex-Dragon rake arguably has been the more

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Stewart Moses

Jul 21, 2017
2 min

Latu's welcome return to form

Penrith’s recent win over Manly was important in many respects, including ending a nine-game losing streak against top-eight opposition, stretching back to last season’s semi-final loss to Canberra. It also meant the preseason competition favorites avoided the potential embarrassment of having not defeated top-eight opposition during the regular season for the first time since 1980. But perhaps most importantly of all, the win may have just heralded a welcome return to form o

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Stewart Moses

Jul 21, 2017
3 min

Dynamic Edwards making a difference

Penrith fans might be heralding the decision to at long last move Matt Moylan into the halves as the moment their anticipated season finally kicked started with the Panthers still a hope of making the finals after overcoming a 2-7 start to win six of their last eight. But the decision to elevate Dylan Edwards as the player to replace Moylan at fullback that has arguably reaped even bigger benefits for the club, providing that James Tedesco style of game that even Moylan as fu

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THE LAST SAY: Manly game Penrith's mini grand-final

Stewart Moses

Jul 8, 2017
3 min

THE LAST SAY: Manly game Penrith's mini grand-final

In the wake of Penrith’s shock 42-14 loss to Souths, Penrith coach Anthony Griffin concedes that tonight’s game against the high-flying Manly Sea-Eagles is a must-win game if his side is to have any chance of becoming the first Panthers side to make back-to-back finals series since 2004. Despite being just 6-9 for the season to date, the Panthers are hoping that a return to Pepper Stadium for the first time in over two months will spark the best out of a playing roster that n

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Katoa’s new deal a reward for perseverance

Stewart Moses

Jul 7, 2017
3 min

Katoa’s new deal a reward for perseverance

It may not have ended in the result he would have liked, but Sione Katoa’s first run-out game in just his third NRL appearance, capped a great week for the 22-year old former Junior Kiwi and current Tongan international, having recently re-signed with the club until the end of 2019. The hooker said it was an easy decision to remain the club given the security it provides for his young family as well as wanting to remain playing alongside the core group of players that have ma

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FORMER PREMIERSHIP CO-FAVORITES FACE AN UGLY TRUTH

Stewart Moses

Jul 7, 2017
4 min

FORMER PREMIERSHIP CO-FAVORITES FACE AN UGLY TRUTH

Penrith’s spluttering 2017 season has turned a full 360 degrees with last Sunday’s 42-14 train-wreck loss to lowly Souths bearing eerie resemblance to the equally unexpected Round One thrashing at the hands of St George-Illawarra. The Panthers were coming off a tough loss against the Thurston-less Cowboys in the Townsville heat eight days earlier and had never beaten Souths at ANZ Stadium in six previous attempts. But Penrith were still heavily backed favorites to defeat thei

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THE LAST SAY: Crichton, Burgess Pose Biggest Threats: Griffin

Stewart Moses

Jul 1, 2017
4 min

THE LAST SAY: Crichton, Burgess Pose Biggest Threats: Griffin

It might be a clash against the twelfth placed Rabbitohs but Penrith coach Anthony Griffin is wary of what South Sydney have to offer ahead of tomorrow's must-win clash at ANZ Stadium. Matt Moylan missed Penrith's 21-20 loss to Souths earlier this year. Credit: Penrith Panthers. Despite being without key players Greg Inglis and Kyle Turner, Souths have still named a formidable side that belies their current position on the NRL ladder, with the likes of Cody Walker, Alex Johns

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Panthers trio granted immediate releases

Stewart Moses

Jun 19, 2017
3 min

Panthers trio granted immediate releases

It may have been a bye week for Penrith, but it's been anything but quiet off the field as the Panthers in the space of four days, have confirmed the immediate release of Te Maire Martin, Peta Hiku and Samisoni Langi. Te Maire Martin could play against his old club as early as this Saturday. Credit: 77 Media. Te Maire Martin, who was under contract at the club until the end of 2018, has headed north to Townsville to take up a deal that will see him play in North Queensland Co

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Stewart Moses

May 12, 2017
3 min

Moylan declares his position at Penrith

Penrith skipper Matt Moylan, has hosed down suggestions he will be making the move to five-eighth any time in the near future. The response from Moylan comes amid speculation that the Penrith fullback wanted to take on the five-eighth role given the perceived failings of Te Maire Martin and Nathan Cleary as a halves pairing after just seven games together. While Martin remains not only on the outer but possibly on his way out of the club too, Griffin’s current preferred five-

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