Chairman to run again
Panthers Chairman Peter Graham has no intention of following CEO Brian Fletcher out the exit door at Panthers. I can confirm he wants to continue on beyond the 2026 Board elections.
But he may have some competition looming – there’s constant speculation at the moment that there will be plenty of hands up for Board positions when members get the opportunity to vote early next year.
As we know from the past, anything can happen at Board elections – Dave O’Neill was rolled as Chairman in 2022 despite the club having just won the Premiership.

Outsider looms as Fletcher replacement
Penrith will maintain that internal candidates are a strong possibility for the CEO role when Brian Fletcher vacates the building in March next year. But I’m told it’s highly likely the club will recruit from outside and have a fresh start.
There’s a handful of people inside the club who would likely consider themselves a shot and will probably go through the formal application process.
Scoop confirmed
I wrote earlier this year that a high profile Panthers executive would be standing down this year. It was of course Brian Fletcher. The rumours about his departure have been around for some time.
Smith’s Blues call-up
Lindsay Smith was a shock call-up into the New South Wales squad for Origin II in Perth. He’s unlikely to play but after his experience with the Kangaroos last year, it’s a great opportunity to be in the Origin environment.
Dylan Edwards, Isaah Yeo, Brian To’o, Nathan Cleary and Liam Martin of course retained their spots in the Blues’ side when it was announced earlier this week. Presuming Smith doesn’t play, he will travel to New Zealand and play against the Warriors on Saturday week for Penrith.

Rumblings over women’s facilities
One rumour that won’t go away at Panthers is that there’s a split in the camp over investment in the women’s program. Some are behind building a women’s academy that would cost north of $20 million, while others are suggesting the club is not in a financial position to do so. It has the potential do some real damage if the rumblings get worse.
Brothers forever
It was the shot everyone wanted and Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai certainly gave the photographers what they craved after full-time last Sunday.
The friends turned on-field foes had a long conversation after the game, embracing and joking with each other.
The two sides meet again this season – no doubt Luai will be hoping to even the ledger after the Panthers got the chocolates.

Spotted
Former Panthers five-eighth James Maloney sharing a laugh with Melbourne Cup winning jockey Glenn Boss as the guest speakers at Brothers’ annual luncheon last Friday. Maloney was in fine form sharing tales from his rugby league career.
Spotted
Old mates Nathan Cleary and Api Koroisau embracing at the coin toss before last Sunday’s game.

McRae returns – kind of
Panthers fans in attendance at CommBank Stadium last Sunday would have got a blast from the past when Scott McRae’s voice boomed over the speakers.
The veteran Penrith ground announcer is back in the game with the Tigers, and is his old cheeky self.
Penrith have been intent on a more professional yet bland approach to the ground announcing in recent years. It’s got nothing on the fun a parochial ground announcer like McRae can bring to the table.
Expensive night out
The Bulldogs may have opened up $10 tickets at Accor Stadium twice this year, winning praise in rugby league circles, but Dogs fans will get no such joy when they travel to CommBank Stadium to meet the Panthers later this month. An adult ticket in the Bulldogs supporter bay is $65. A platinum grandstand seat will set you back $115.
Podcast
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