Baby Panther on the way
Congratulations to Penrith Panthers co-captain Isaah Yeo, who announced last weekend that he and his partner Ash are expecting their first child. The little one is due in November.
Yeo announced the news on Instagram, just hours before being picked in the NSW team for Origin I – making it a very special weekend.
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Naden’s clouded future at Penrith
Most accept that Brent Naden’s days at the Panthers are numbered, but there’s speculation doing the rounds that his time at the club may be over quicker than expected.
Naden is due to join the Bulldogs next season but may end up being released to Trent Barrett’s side early in a mid-season switch.
Martin’s late call-up
Liam Martin had a roller-coaster day on Sunday ahead of his selection in the Blues team for Origin I. He’d taken a call from Penrith coach Ivan Cleary during the day, who wanted to ensure his chin remained up given it appeared he’d missed selection.
A few hours later Martin got the call to rush to Coogee and come into the New South Wales camp, with an injury to Newcastle’s Tyson Frizzel opening the door for the country kid to make his Origin debut.
High hopes for country kid
The Panthers have confirmed that Thomas Jenkins has signed a two-year contract extension with the club. The new deal will see the 20-year-old outside back join the Panthers NRL development list in 2022 and the club’s top 30 roster in 2023.
“I’m so excited to stay at Panthers for the next couple of years and hopefully more years after that,” Jenkins said.
“Penrith is home for me now and I love everything about the club and the people here. I’m keen to keep developing as a player and a person and I believe Panthers is the best place to do it.”
Hailing from Boorowa in the Hilltops Region of southern NSW, Jenkins first made the move to Panthers ahead of the 2020 season. However the cancellation of the state representative competitions due to COVID-19 saw him return home to play Group 9 First Grade for his junior club Young Cherrypickers.
MP shows his Panther pride
State Penrith MP Stuart Ayres rolled up his sleeve to get his COVID-19 vaccination last week. And what was he wearing? A classic Penrith Panthers jersey, of course!
Update to Honour Board required
It’s time for someone to get out a ladder at Panthers Leagues Club. The very impressive Honour Board that adorns the reception area hasn’t been updated in a few years and is out of date. It’s still got Anthony Griffin as Penrith’s Head Coach!
Leota to sit out Tigers game
Moses Leota was sin-binned for the second time this season last weekend against Canterbury. His Grade 2 Careless High Tackle will cost him a week on the sideline, with the 25-year-old submitting an early guilty plea. It comes at the worst possible time for Penrith, with Leota to sit out Friday night’s game against the Tigers – adding to Ivan Cleary’s long list of unavailable players.
Spotted
Roosters legend Craig Wing with former Panthers player and powerbroker Lou Zivanovic at the New South Wales True Blue Dinner in Sydney on Monday night.
