Blues head to Mountains
The New South Wales Origin side is back in the Blue Mountains as they replicate much of the training set-up from last year’s series win.
Our cameras captured Penrith superstar Nathan Cleary as he arrived for training at Blue Mountains Grammar School yesterday.
The Blues will train there again over coming days. Laurie Daley has his side travelling to Brisbane on Sunday ahead of next Wednesday’s series opener.
There’s plenty of media opportunities, but one player you won’t be hearing from is former Panther Spencer Leniu. He’s on a media ban following his recent confrontation with Queensland great Johnathan Thurston.
Stadium naming rights
Work has commenced on finding a naming rights partner for the new Penrith Stadium for once it opens in 2027. BlueBet, which sponsored the stadium most recently, won’t return. In fact you’d doubt heavily the State Government would do a deal with any gambling company now that it owns the venue – it’s just not a good look.
It’d be awesome for a company with deep Penrith connections to nab the naming rights, but given the hefty price tag it’s likely to be a national or international name.
Careful, Kamper
We’ve noticed the constant comments from Sports Minister Steve Kamper about the new Penrith Stadium being “more than just a stadium”, pushing the fact the venue will be something of a community hub and home of entertainment.
All that is well and good, but Kamper and the State Government need to be mindful of their approach here. You’re building a stadium that will primarily be used as the home of a football team that this community loves and cherishes, and has done so for more than half a century. It’s OK to be parochial about that – and proud that you’re building the new home of the Panthers.
The last thing you want to do is alienate Penrith fans from their own venue and feel it’s not the home of their footy club. If that happens, they may stay away more often than you’d like.
Stadium progress
Still on the stadium and progress is starting to be made on tearing down the iconic Western Grandstand. Over the last couple of weeks, all of the remaining famous red seats have been removed while the old Chairman’s Lounge has been gutted, along with the media boxes.
Boys take a break
Ivan Cleary gave his players some much needed relaxation time over the bye weekend, ahead of what will be an ‘all hands on deck’ Origin period for those with the task of holding down the fort while the likes of Isaah Yeo, Nathan Cleary, Brian To’o, Liam Martin and Dylan Edwards are away. Mitch Kenny and Izack Tago took the opportunity to head to the Northern Territory – getting up close and personal with crocodiles in the process.
Vossy’s Chinese odyssey
Fox League broadcaster Andrew Voss is off to Bathurst this Saturday to call the Panthers v Knights clash. He’ll be heading home after the game but not before he tracks down a Chinese feed. He’s been using his breakfast radio show on SEN this week to take votes on the best Chinese restaurant in Bathurst.
Spotted
ABC broadcaster John Gibbs hobbling into Campbelltown Stadium for last Sunday’s game between the Tigers and Rabbitohs after taking a tumble in the car park. He got on with the job as you’d expect.
A bit rich
Which NRL club – and it’s not the Panthers – is pushing performance clauses into sponsorship contracts, aimed at getting more money out of corporate partners if the team makes the Finals or has a successful season?
Not surprisingly, there’s no discount if the team fails to make the top eight or makes poor administration decisions off the field that tarnishes the club and its perceived value.
Indigenous jersey revealed
The Panthers have revealed this year’s Indigenous jersey, which they’ll wear for the Round 24 clash against Melbourne at CommBank Stadium.
The vibrant jersey sees a black base adorned by striking Indigenous artwork and symbolism in the Panthers colourway. There’s a couple of really cool inclusions too – including the handprints of Indigenous player Daine Laurie and Indigenous Panthers staff member Taylah Murray featuring on the back.
Love does funny things
Nathan Cleary’s partner Mary Fowler is ready to support the Blues this year, swapping her allegiances with Queensland for the upcoming Origin series. Cleary revealed this week that Fowler has requested a New South Wales jersey. No doubt he’ll be popping down to Australia Post pronto.
Gus unblocks Editor
Former Panthers boss Phil Gould blocked Weekender Editor Troy Dodds on Twitter yonks ago, along with the Weekender itself. While the paper is apparently still in the bad books with Gus, he’s granted Dodds a reprieve. They’re pals again.
Masked Panther
The Masked Panther is the most mysterious journalist of all. He has the inside word on everything happening in rugby league.