More cuts at Fox
The slashing at Fox Sports continues. I can reveal Fox has walked away from a number of contracts with suppliers, breaking agreements to opt for cheaper alternatives.
This is on top of axing staff and saving cash by calling some games from the studio. All of this comes ahead of global streaming giant DAZN taking over Foxtel at some point this year. We’re told it’ll be business as usual. Hard to believe?
Cowboys crowd concerns
There are serious concerns over the crowd number for Penrith’s next home game against North Queensland at CommBank Stadium on April 4.
A Friday 6pm kick-off, an out-of-town team and issues associated with the first CommBank experience last week will all play a part in a crowd that would be lucky to top 8,000.
Let’s hope the NRL and Panthers are working on ways to encourage fans to get to the game.
Spotted
Panthers star Daine Laurie dining at popular Italian restaurant BoccaBocca in the Shire.
Eddy out
Panthers fullback Dylan Edwards will be out for at least a fortnight with a groin strain, and it could have huge ramifications on the New South Wales Origin team.
Despite being the incumbent fullback after a winning series, there has already been talk that new Blues coach Laurie Daley is considering going in a different direction at fullback this year.
Edwards being out for a few weeks in the early part of the season won’t help his case of retaining the number one jumper.
Jersey delay
Fans who ordered the alternate 2025 jersey, which the Panthers wore in Las Vegas, in the second pre-order batch won’t see their merch until the middle of May. It seems an extraordinary time lag and many fans are frustrated with the wait.
Panthers rocked
This is the photo we’ve hardly seen in the last five years – a completely dejected Panthers, out of control of the game and facing an unlikely defeat.
Co-captain Isaah Yeo was constantly watching replays of Roosters tries on the big screen, trying to work out where the defensive lapses were unfolding.
Coach Ivan Cleary opted to stay calm post-match, even talking up the joy of a huge upset in sport. But on Tuesday, he remained in a bad mood at his weekly pre-game press conference, the loss clearly still grating on him.
Stuck in the shadows
Poor old Peter Wallace. Not only did he put plenty of blood, sweat and tears into the Panthers, he’s also a Life Member and a highly respected assistant to Ivan Cleary. But he must be camera shy – his profile on the Panthers website is photo-less, with just a shadow accompanying his name and title.
Panthers trivia
Brisket Boys is hosting a special Penrith Panthers themed trivia event tonight at the Leagues Club. Registration is free and teams of 2-4 are recommended. Get down there from 6pm, and stick around to watch the Panthers v Storm clash on the big screen. ‘’m told Panthers legend Mark Geyer will also be there.
Kept in the dark
The NRL is clearly on a mission to have everyone talk less about referees this season.
Not only has head office axed Graham Annesley’s highly useful and transparent Monday afternoon briefings and demanded coaches not talk about decisions, but they’ve stopped issuing the media with the weekly match official appointments on a Tuesday.
Journalists can still track down the officials on the NRL website and on socials, but it’s clear the league is doing everything possible to keep referees out of the spotlight this season.
New look for Pantherettes
The Panthers cheerleaders debuted a slightly new-look uniform for 2025 at their first CommBank Stadium appearance last weekend. Atmosphere Fitness remains on board as a sponsor. It was the first Pantherettes performance of the season – the girls didn’t make the cut to head to Las Vegas.
Spotted
Former Panther James Maloney enjoying breakfast at Henri Marc in Penrith on Tuesday. And at a table not too far away? Panthers fullback Dylan Edwards.
Masked Panther
The Masked Panther is the most mysterious journalist of all. He has the inside word on everything happening in rugby league.