Gold medal guests
Gold Medal winners Jess and Noemie Fox made a special appearance at Panthers HQ on Monday morning. The sisters made a surprise appearance at the team meeting, introduced by head coach Ivan Cleary.
It was the perfect time for a chat about rising above adversity, and a good mood booster for the players given recent back-to-back defeats. Jess and Noemie will both be at the Panthers v Rabbitohs clash on Friday night, with the crowd given the chance to congratulate them on their Olympics success.
Truth about stadium seats
There’s been some conjecture lately over just how many seats at the new Penrith Stadium will be under cover.
I can reveal that about 50 per cent of all seats in the new stadium will be under cover as part of the proposed design.
The existing eastern grandstand has approximately 3,100 covered seats currently. The proposed design has about 4,500 covered seats. The existing western grandstand has approximately 2,500 covered seats currently. The proposed design has about 4,100 covered seats.
Cleary could play
I’m told that halfback Nathan Cleary could probably play against Souths or Gold Coast, but Penrith isn’t willing to risk his shoulder before the Finals. It’s a good sign that Cleary will definitely be right to go for the Qualifying Final. He returned to training this week and the shoulder is looking as good as could be expected.
Backing organ donation
Panthers coach Ivan Cleary rocked up to his weekly pre-match media conference this week wearing the official Jersey Day merchandise, as he again gets behind the Jersey Day initiative this Friday, August 30.
Each Jersey Day, organisers ask schools and workplaces across Australia to allow students and employees to wear their favourite sporting jersey to school or work and begin the conversation with their family and friends about the importance of becoming an organ and tissue donor.
Jersey Day was inspired by the gift of life that Nathan Gremmo gave to six people when he became an organ donor at age 13.
Sponsors get first-hand look
Corporate partners will be taken to CommBank Stadium in Parramatta next week to check out the facilities and signage options available for the 2025 season. The club is confronting a challenge next year in moving the commitments to sponsors to an entirely new venue, as well as on the road in Mudgee, Bathurst, Brisbane and of course Las Vegas.
Merv locked in
This year’s Merv Cartwright Medal night has been confirmed, with the event to take place on Tuesday, October 8 at the Western Sydney Conference Centre. The event will again be held after the Grand Final, potentially doubling as Premiership celebration for players, officials and sponsors. It’ll be the second year the event has been held at the Conference Centre.
Dress-up day for last stand
Fans are being encouraged to dress in their oldest Penrith Panthers jersey or shirt for the final home game at Penrith Park on Saturday, September 7 against Gold Coast. Ironically, the initiative is being led by Panthers fan Mick – who who rarely wears his shirt.
Members looked after
Penrith last week released details about the transition to CommBank Stadium next year and the return to Penrith Park in 2027.
While you’re never going to please everybody, I believe the club’s done a pretty thorough and positive job in ensuring everyone is looked after. I notice some fans have blown up on various Panthers fan pages, but it’s hard to argue with the set-up the club has put together – especially in trying circumstances.
Webster moves on
One of the good guys of rugby league media, Andrew Webster is moving on from The Sydney Morning Herald after accepting a redundancy from Nine Newspapers. Let’s hope he’s not lost to the game.
Radio duo’s rise
Panthers legend Greg Alexander and his radio partner in crime Andrew Voss continue to make inroads in the tough Sydney market.
The Vossy & Brandy breakfast show on SEN had an increase of 0.2 per cent in the survey released on Tuesday, bringing them to 2.6 per cent of the breakfast market in Sydney.
Considering where the show started, it’s not a bad result and sees them equal with Sydney’s other sports breakfast show, the Big Sports Breakfast on Sky Sports Radio. Another boost is expected as the Finals arrive.
Got some goss?
I don’t keep secrets but I do protect my sources. If you’ve heard a rumour or spotted a Panther out and about, email [email protected] or text 0434 986 622.
Masked Panther
The Masked Panther is the most mysterious journalist of all. He has the inside word on everything happening in rugby league.