Cleary’s Care for charity
You could have forgiven Ivan Cleary for having other things on his mind last Thursday night, just 24 hours out from kick-off against the Roosters in the Qualifying Final.
But the Panthers coach is a huge supporter of local charity WestCare and along with wife Bec and daughter Indi attended the annual fundraising dinner at The Coffee Club Nepean River.
Cleary even donated an auction prize – being a lunch with the man himself and superstar son Nathan. The lunch went for $10,000 – and then sold again, making it $20,000 for the charity.
Panthers eye Accor
Penrith want to play their Preliminary Final against North Queensland or Cronulla at Accor Stadium.
The NRL is likely to schedule the game at Accor on September 28 but should the Cowboys advance, there’s a real argument to play the match at CommBank Stadium given the likely attendance.
But the Panthers love Accor and feel it’s a home away from home during September, almost like the old days of the SCG and Sydney Football Stadium for Finals matches.
The NRL will make a final call this weekend. It’s also almost certain the game will be on the Saturday – ensuring Melbourne’s Preliminary Final does not clash with the AFL Grand Final.
Salty Robbo
It wasn’t long ago that Roosters coach Trent Robinson was one of the most respected voices in the game. But he’s starting to develop a reputation as a whinger.
While his frustration at a forward pass call last Friday night was understandable, it was hardly a howler and he seemed to forget his side got itself into a position of being down 24-0.
His recent post-game comments about Canberra’s Elliott Whitehead also raised plenty of eyebrows, especially given his side features Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, who has his own parking spot at the judiciary.
Spotted
Panthers Media Manager Michael Blok competing in the Sydney Marathon last weekend.
Spotted
Former Panthers forward Sam McKendry holidaying in Bali with his family.
Stadium momentos
I spotted a few Penrith fans carrying different items from the stadium with them after the game last Friday night. From signs to chairs, plenty of people managed to sneak away with their little bit of Penrith Stadium history. In some cases they were stopped by security, but plenty got away with their own memento.
Vegas birthday
Penrith coach Ivan Cleary may have double the reasons to celebrate in Las Vegas next year. His side is playing on the same day as his birthday – March 1.
No interest in RCG
The chances of Reagan Campbell-Gillard having an NRL swansong with Penrith are close to zero. The Eels have released the former Panther from the final year of his contract, giving him the opportunity to negotiate with other clubs. Somehow he was linked to the Panthers last week, but there’s no chance of it happening.
And while we’re at it, there’s also zero chance Josh Addo-Carr ends up at the foot of the Mountains.
Spotted
Penrith Toyota’s Garth Butler was given the honour of tossing the coin for last Friday night’s Qualifying Final.
Grand Final worry
The NRL is privately worried that the Grand Final will be tough to sell out if it ends up being Melbourne against Penrith, which seems the most likely scenario.
It would be Penrith’s fifth Grand Final and it’s understandable that winning the competition is no longer ‘once in a lifetime’ type stuff for many Panthers fans, who may choose to stay at home or hold watch parties with friends.
Melbourne will have a dedicated contingent fly north but it won’t be anything like the Broncos’ supporter base last year.
Podcast out tomorrow
Despite there being no Penrith game this weekend, the ‘Tension’s Running High’ podcast will still be released.
Troy Dodds and Nathan Taylor will look ahead to next week’s Preliminary Final. Visit https://www.westernweekender.com.au/podcast or search Western Weekender wherever you listen.
Got some goss?
I don’t keep secrets but I do protect my sources. Email [email protected] if you’ve got some news, or you’ve spotted a Panther out and about.
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