Daley’s tough call
The career-best form of Roosters fullback James Tedesco will force new Blues coach Laurie Daley to make a tough call when the New South Wales team is selected for the first game in a few weeks’ time.
Penrith fullback Dylan Edwards is the incumbent and I’m told has his nose in front at the moment but you can’t deny the form of Tedesco, who has been a stalwart for the Blues through his career.
There is little appetite to switch either to the wing, despite the Blues’ woes in that position, which means one will miss out. Right now I think Edwards will get the nod.
Academy rift
I’m told that not all Penrith officials are on board with the plan to build a $20 million female rugby league academy.
While the Coalition promised to fund half of the project if it won government last weekend, there was no such commitment from Labor. It means that with the Coalition defeated, Penrith would have to foot the $20 million bill themselves if they wish to go ahead, unless they can find another funding partner.
I’m told this has been a hot topic of conversation amongst officials and even at Board level in recent times. While the club is supportive of the women’s program and a future NRLW team, not all believe the $20 million is bang for buck.
I checked in with the club this week and they remained adamant they want to build the facility.
Perth to swoop?
With the Perth Bears to enter the competition in 2027, many club bosses are nervously shifting in their chairs – knowing the playing ranks are going to be raided to form an entirely new playing squad.
Penrith have the likes of Luke Garner, Liam Henry and Lindsay Smith off-contract at the end of 2027. Securing any of those names would be monumental for the new Perth side.
Jack Cole, Matt Eisenhuth, Trent Toelau and Scott Sorensen are also off-contract, though it would appear Sorensen’s next destination is England.
The Panthers should have no trouble re-signing Garner, Henry and Smith if they want to stay – but they’ll also have one eye on the work to do after the 2027 season, with the likes of Nathan Cleary and Liam Martin both off-contract.
Clearys in no rush
Talking of Nathan Cleary being off-contract, there’s a few nervous people around the club who are quietly concerned that Nathan and Ivan Cleary haven’t re-signed long-term deals with Penrith.
I checked in with the club this week, and an official advised that no formal negotiations have commenced with either Ivan or Nathan to extend their contract, despite rumours suggesting otherwise.
Both are under contract until the end of 2027.
The club is comfortable with where things are at, and the Clearys are keen to focus on the near future and worry about contract talks later.
Point proven
Last week I noted some of the disgusting comments that had been made by supporters and corporate partners towards referee Belinda Sharpe in the Panthers v Manly game a fortnight ago.
I had to shake my head at some of the social media response to the piece, which basically just proved my point.
“Who let her out of the kitchen,” said Facebook user Rick, who appears to be married based on his profile picture.
“Give her a roast to cook or some ironing,” said Warren.
Others defended criticism and said the referee’s sex shouldn’t matter. That was the point! The comments I was referring to were specifically about Belinda Sharpe’s gender.
Criticise decisions and referees all you like, but the behaviour by some Penrith fans on that night was beyond disgusting.
Interest in Gardiner
Could the Panthers be poised to lose yet another Assistant Coach? There’s plenty of rumours doing the rounds that Ben Gardiner is in the sights of English Super League club St Helens.
Stadium discoveries
During preliminary works for the Penrith Stadium upgrade, more than a dozen potential Aboriginal artefacts were discovered. None were quantitative enough to trigger expanded investigation, and further inspection revealed none of the suspected artefacts turned out to be legitimate. Registered Aboriginal organisations were involved in the process. Should any artefacts be uncovered during construction, those organisations may choose to have any and/or all Aboriginal cultural material uncovered reburied/relocated within the area.
Matty in St Marys
Fox Sports personality Matty Johns is coming to St Marys Leagues Club next month for a special one-off event. ‘An Evening With Matty Johns’ will be on at the Boronia Showroom on Saturday, June 28.