Stadium EIS on display
The long-awaited Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the redevelopment of Penrith Stadium went on public display on Wednesday – a major step forward for the project.
We already know most of the information – although the EIS does confirm major changes to the training field to the west of the ground, which will be redeveloped to include a dedicated player warm-up space, an activation hub at the western entry to the stadium and additional car parking.
It also reveals an expected height of 30.05m for the Western Stand and 28.85m for the Eastern Stand – significantly higher than they are now.
And in a huge win for members who sit in the Western Stand, the EIS confirms a plan to ensure they retain their seats. There are currently 3,891 members seats in the western stand, with 4,800 to be available in the new stand.
The EIS also outlines plans for the stadium to host concerts – up to 10 a year. However, there is an admission that “high profile acts are unlikely to use Penrith Stadium”.
Meantime, an extensive search of the Aboriginal Heritage Information Management System (AHIMS) database was undertaken and confirms there are no known artefacts of potential archaeological deposits identified within the site.
You can view the EIS on the NSW Government’s Planning Portal.
Panthers weigh up cap call
Penrith are yet to make a decision on whether they will apply for salary cap dispensation after the NRL enacted its no-fault stand down rule in relation to Taylan May.
May won’t play again this season, with his court case in relation to domestic violence offences dragging in to 2025.
The NRL has informed the Panthers they are eligible for cap dispensation, but the club hasn’t made a final call on what it will do. They’re looking at all options, a club official told me.
May walks on
Talking of Taylan May, I told you last week that his social media behaviour had been a little erratic to say the least, and certainly not what you’d expect from someone facing such serious criminal charges.
Far from laying low, May has now started a regular early morning walking group in Mount Druitt and Penrith – encouraging others to join him on his new venture. He had to cut his second walk short on Tuesday to prepare for his court appearance.
Spotted
Nathan Cleary and Mary Fowler at a Cronulla café ahead of the Panthers’ game against the Sharks last Saturday, and again at Sydney Airport earlier this week. Fowler is back in Australia ahead of the Matildas’ games against China in Adelaide on Friday night and at Accor Stadium in Sydney on Monday evening.
Rekindled bromance
Brian To’o and Stephen Crichton remain the closest of friends, but they haven’t played alongside each other since last year’s Grand Final. The pair have been reunited in a football sense in Blues camp, and were loving being in each other’s company at Tuesday’s media session. It’s pretty obvious who the naughty boys at the back of the class will be during this camp.
First Origin for Edwards
Not only is Dylan Edwards playing in his first State of Origin match on Wednesday night, but he’s never actually seen one live. It’ll be a different experience for Edwards given Penrith haven’t been the crowd’s choice for the last two Grand Finals played in front of a similar crowd size.
Pantherette getting hitched
Congratulations to Penrith Panthers cheerleader Kaylee Burns, who became engaged to her partner Brad last week.
Brock’s sensational cover
Up and coming country music artist Brock Rodziewicz turned a few heads earlier this month with a rendition of ‘Go The Mighty Panthers’, which he posted on TikTok.
Brock is a dedicated Panthers fan and his rendition of the club’s theme song is sensational.
Surely we can get him at BlueBet Stadium before the end of the year to perform it live. It’s been a long time since the song was performed live at the stadium.
@brockrodziewiczmusic Lets get the win tonight! 😝😝 @Penrith Panthers #penrithpanthers❤️💛💚🖤 ♬ original sound – Brock Rodziewicz Music
Triple M’s top call
Anyone who says you can’t tell the difference when a commentator is at the ground or calling from a studio is kidding themselves. Triple M forked out the cash for Dan Ginnane and James Graham to fly to Brisbane to call last Sunday’s clash between the Broncos and Titans. The call was nothing short of sensational and you felt every big moment. Executives at Fox Sports and 2GB should listen to it – tell me it doesn’t make for a much better product.
Awkward presser timing
Ivan Cleary’s weekly pre-match press conference was perfectly timed for the media who had been across town at Penrith Local Court for Taylan May’s court appearance on Tuesday.
May left court about 20 minutes before Cleary’s scheduled 1pm presser. It made for an icy press conference for Cleary, with media manager Michael Blok stepping in to put a stop to questions about May.
Making Mountains home
The NSW team has spent plenty of time in the Blue Mountains this week. They’ve been based at the Fairmont Resort, with players even managing to get a round or two of golf into the schedule.
On Wednesday, they trained at Blue Mountains Grammar School at Wentworth Falls and will do so again on Saturday. All part of Michael Maguire’s shake-up to the camp.
Masked Panther
The Masked Panther is the most mysterious journalist of all. He has the inside word on everything happening in rugby league.