Annesley truth session dumped
The NRL has dumped Graham Annesley’s weekly media briefings. The Monday afternoon truth sessions have run for about seven years and were terrific in breaking down barriers and opening up transparency between officiating and fans, and also dispelling some of the myths that would emerge from the media or supporters.
The NRL says it will still address controversial officiating decisions, but this seems like a backward step from a game making ground in so many other places.
Former Panther’s good deed
Rugby league player antics off the field sometimes make headlines for all the wrong reasons, but one former Penrith player’s good deed at the Lennox Centre at Emu Plains deserves to be recognised.
The ‘90s era player showed a lot of concern for an elderly gentleman on a walker in the car park of the shopping centre recently. The man’s disabled daughter had slipped and become stuck between the front and back seats of his SUV as he attempted to help her into her wheelchair. He explained that his daughter was aged 58 and had communication problems.
The former player tried his best, but couldn’t help the situation. He then called his two boys Riley and Dempsey – both strapping young sportsmen – and together they managed to free the woman and solve the problem. It was a great show of community spirit, all from a man who bled for the Panthers.
The player in question? None other than Scott Ellem, who played 12 games for Penrith in the Premiership-winning 1991 season.
Flags coming
Penrith City Council is currently working with Panthers on the installation of flags along Mulgoa Road showing support for the Panthers. The flags, featuring players from the NRL side, have become something of an institution on the busy thoroughfare but haven’t been spotted this year. We’re assured they’re on their way soon.
Timing’s everything
The Panthers held a media session on Wednesday and expected plenty of journos to attend ahead of the club’s first home game at CommBank Stadium.
But Eels five-eighth Dylan Brown ended up holding a press conference at the same time to discuss his mega deal with Newcastle, meaning writers adjusted their Google Maps and made a shorter journey out west.
The Panthers v Roosters game has somewhat flown under the radar this week.
Luke on the lookout
Soni Luke is off-contract at the end of the season and it’s highly unlikely he’ll re-sign with Penrith. After playing 20 games with Penrith in 2023, he made just one appearance in 2024 and doesn’t appear to be in Ivan Cleary’s future plans.
Spotted
Panthers winger Brian To’o at Campbelltown Stadium last Friday night supporting his good mate Jarome Luai on his Wests Tigers debut.
Fox record
The opening round fixture between Penrith and Cronulla was the highest rating regular season Panthers game in Fox Sports history. It’s a huge win for Fox especially given the game also aired free-to-air on Channel Nine.
Seven serious about Footy?
Is Channel Seven actually considering a crack at the NRL rights, or is it all about putting pressure on Nine?
There’s talk Seven will launch a mid-year NRL show and high level executives were invited to travel to Las Vegas to share corporate suites with the likes of ARLC Chairman Peter V’landys earlier this month. But people I’ve spoken to say it’s unlikely Seven will be a serious bidder for week-to-week NRL rights.
However, should the NRL treat State of Origin separately in the rights discussions – and there’s a big chance they will – Seven may raise its hand, and present its cheque book.
May to play again
There’s an uncomfortable feeling across the game in relation to Taylan May and his domestic violence charges being dropped this week, but it won’t stop another club signing him.
The Wests Tigers in particular are likely to brush aside any moral concerns and sign him – they’re the clear favourites to hand him an NRL lifeline. On TV earlier this week, Panthers co-captain Nathan Cleary welcomed May’s likely NRL return.
Enviro Kenny
Panthers hooker Mitch Kenny has been spending time with the Hawkesbury-Nepean Platypus crew, who are researchers looking into the health of platypus in the local river system. Despite his rough exterior, Kenny is very passionate about the environment.
Got some goss?
I don’t keep secrets, but I do protect my sources. Email maskedpanther@westernweekender.com.au.
Masked Panther
The Masked Panther is the most mysterious journalist of all. He has the inside word on everything happening in rugby league.