Panthers to honour greatest team
Early discussions are underway to honour the best Penrith team of the past 60 seasons as part of major celebrations to recognise the club’s history next year.
I’m hearing the Panthers will lean into 60th anniversary celebrations, including a new Team of Legends 20 years on from when a similar team was announced at a 40th anniversary dinner.
One of the real challenges will be deciding how many current Panthers make the team, and would Nathan Cleary take the halfback spot over Greg Alexander?
Panthers rest stars
Word that Nathan Cleary may be rested from tonight’s game against Canterbury actually started to leak out at the Leagues Club on Sunday night.
Come Monday morning Penrith were still favourites for the clash, but by the time the afternoon arrived the Panthers had blown out and Canterbury were favourites.
The cat was out of the bag well before Cleary appeared on ‘100% Footy’ on Monday night, where he confirmed he’d sit out the game.
By the time Tuesday morning rolled around, Penrith were despised outsiders at $3.10 with the TAB. Betting was suspended on Tuesday at one stage as doubts over Penrith’s final team rolled on.
Spotted
A book shop in Mudgee cashing in on the Panthers v Raiders game last week by ensuring both clubs had books in the main window display.
Spotted
Outgoing Panthers Group CEO Brian Fletcher enjoying a soft drink at the Woolpack Hotel in Mudgee on Friday afternoon, ahead of the clash between Penrith and Canberra that evening.
Pub’s bizarre Raiders push
We’re sure it was all in good fun but there’s no doubt the Colyton Hotel turned off plenty of Panthers fans last week. They consistently posted on social media backing the Raiders – including taking pot shots at Penrith and labelling them pretenders.
Intended to be banter given the publican is a mad Raiders fan, but still bizarre given the pub is in Panthers heartland.
Yeo’s early return
While it was no major surprise that Isaah Yeo was going to play against the Raiders on Friday night, sharp-eyed X followers would have had confirmation much earlier than most.
A post confirming Yeo’s return that was intended to go up an hour before kick-off ended up on Penrith’s official X account briefly earlier in the day. Whoops!
Hills untouched
What may surprise many about the Penrith Stadium upgrade is that the hills are staying exactly as they are now. Not even a dab of work to make them more comfortable or modern.
They were always staying at both ends but there was some presumption a landscaper would be called in to at least freshen things up.
You’ve really got to laugh at the irony of spending $309 million to essentially make corporate sponsors more comfortable, while most fans will have either the same or poorer viewing experience.
Meantime, the State Government held a media event earlier this week at the stadium – announcing demolition was complete and it was time for construction to begin. Below is an incredible photo of what the stadium looks like at the moment from the northern hill.
Pantherettes stay home
It was interesting to note that despite being a Panthers home game, the Pantherettes didn’t make the trip to Mudgee last weekend. We presume logistics and finances resulted in that decision.
Merv on the move
This year’s Merv Cartwright Medal will be held after Round 27 and before the Finals. It’s been scheduled for Tuesday, September 9 at the Western Sydney Conference Centre.
The Merv has moved around a bit in recent times but last year was after the Grand Final.
This year it will form part of the build-up to the Finals.
We may even see a repeat of 2010, when coach Matthew Elliott randomly asked all players to stand up in the middle of the event and get home to bed to prepare for the Finals. They thought he was joking. He wasn’t, and one-by-one they made their way out of the old Pavilion.
Sign gone
I’m told that while a large Panthers sign on the western side of the ground was preserved and stored during demolition of Penrith Park, the huge light-up sign that sat above the Eastern Grandstand ended up in a skip bin.
Artefacts to be re-buried
As always on a project like the Penrith Stadium build, random discoveries are going to be made along the way. I’m told spear heads were found during demolition, and will be re-buried as part of the construction process for the new venue.
Stars stay well rested
Penrith is taking resting players seriously. At least one player appearance this weekend has been cancelled, and will take place at another time. It’s clear this little break is intended to release players of football completely for the weekend.
Luai supports store
Former Penrith five-eighth Jarome Luai will be making an appearance at the opening of the new Simon Curwood Jewellers store in Penrith on Thursday night. The event will be held in Westfield Penrith from 6.30pm.
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