Penrith Panthers

Sean Fagan of RL1908.com

Penrith was an established township 60km from the Sydney CBD when Rugby League began in 1908. However it was not until the 1960s that it was considered to be close enough for interaction with the Sydney competition and the arrival of the Penrith Panthers club.

The electrification of the Sydney rail line to Penrith was completed in the late 1950s, while car and road improvements reduced travel time to an acceptable 45 minutes from Parramatta.

Located at the foot of the Blue Mountains, rugby union had a sparse presence in the rural district with no evidence that any of the players or teams were actual ‘mountain men'.

The first evidence of rugby league in Penrith come from newspaper reports in April 1912 of a match between ‘Glenbrook Rovers' and a combined ‘Penrith and Emus' team at the Penrith Showground.

The Rovers, along with Penrith United and Emu Wanderers, soon joined the Western Districts Junior League. This was under the control of the Western Suburbs RLFC and also included teams from Parramatta, Auburn and Lidcombe.

By the 1920s the Western Districts League had its own sub-office in Blacktown and the competition included teams from Auburn, Lidcombe, a number around Parramatta, Wentworthville, St. Marys, Blacktown, Riverstone, Windsor, Emu Plains and Penrith.

Travelling between such far-flung towns and suburbs must have required much patience from the players. On one occasion (no doubt there were more) the Lidcombe team lorry overturned on the way to Penrith, with many of the players receiving serious injuries.

Through the 1920s the Penrith side (now known as Waratahs and wearing sky blue jerseys) struggled for survival as it left and then re-entered the competition a number times. Objections to Penrith's inclusion from the clubs to the east was an annual gripe as the burden of travel grew.

Through the 1930s Penrith consolidated itself as a permanent member of the Western Districts competition, building a ‘healthy rivalry' with the St. Marys club. By the 1940s a Western Districts representative side, made up from the seven junior clubs in the Penrith district, was playing in the NSWRL's Presidents Cup competition for U'21 players.

It was not usual for teams beyond the Sydney clubs to play in the early rounds of this knockout competition. It was rare though for one to win it - in 1945 the Penrith-based Western Districts did just that when they defeated Newtown in the Final.

At the end of the next season Parramatta gained entry to the Sydney competition, and all the junior clubs to their west, including the Penrith district, were (logically) handed over by the Western Suburbs club.

Parramatta apparently made little use of the junior base outside its own surrounds, and ill-feeling soon grew between the Penrith clubs and the Eels senior club. In 1957 Wests' Grand Final half-back (of 1952) Leo Trevena signed with the Penrith A-Grade side as captain-coach.

The club was looking to his experience to help build Penrith into a force in the Parramatta competition, and Trevena told the Eels he was not available for First Grade call-up. After 3 matches in 1957 Parramatta selected Trevena for a match against St George - he refused to play and was suspended for the remainder of the season.

At the start of 1958 Parramatta implemented a district rule allowing players over 27 y.o. to decline First Grade selection - Trevena's Penrith side won the next two Grand Finals.

In 1962 the NSWRL introduced a second-tier Sydney competition with an eye toward promotion/relegation and expansion into the city's expanding suburbia. Despite some objection from some in the club, Penrith joined the ten team competition alongside Wentworthville, Caringbah-Cronulla, Sydney University, Ryde Eastwood, Liverpool and others.

In 1964 Penrith (now the Panthers) also played in the State Cup and defeated Canterbury in a stunning upset in the first round. They lost the next game to North Sydney, but continued to rise up the Second Division ladder reaching the Final.

However, by 1966 they still had not won the title and word was out that 1967 would see two teams added to the Sydney premiership. With Cronulla being assured of one place, it came down to Penrith or Wentworthville.

Penrith were preferred by the NSWRL due to their location, but with Wales' star Lewis Jones in their ranks the Wentworthville club had the form on the field. Needing to win the 1966 title, the Penrith club went on a spending-spree of Sydney clubs picking up established first graders Tony Brown, Bob Landers, Doug Ricketson, Barry Harris and Jack Sinclair.

While Penrith went on to win the 1966 Second Division title, the NSWRL had already made its decision to allow Penrith into the competition. It seems that Parramatta's portrayal of nearby Wentworthville's negative impact on the Eels junior and supporter base swayed the League's decision in favour of the more remotely located Penrith.

It was a decision for the longer term, but for the competitiveness and financial security of Parramatta and the expanded competition (including the new club itself), it was undoubtedly the correct choice.

The Penrith Panthers though had to dump their blue jersey design after the Cronulla side registered a predominantly blue jersey design first - even though they wore gold and brown in 1966. With Newtown, Canterbury, Easts and Parramatta also displaying various shades of blue Penrith went in search of an alternative. Its not clear why, but the club chose a brown coloured jersey with a white V and shoulder saddle. The Panther badge included a dash of blue to honour its past colour.

The club's player strength was bolstered further by signing of Laurie Fagan, Maurie Raper and George Piper. While the first season produced the expected tail of the field finish (only Cronulla were behind them at the end), it did have one day that will never be forgotten.

The official opening of the revamped Penrith Park saw the Panthers matched against St George - premiers for the past 11 seasons. In front of over 12,000 fans Penrith rolled the Dragons by 24-12 in a stunning upset. The name ‘Chocolate Soldiers' also appeared at this time thanks to radio commentator Frank Hyde who wrote in the Penrith Club journal "these chocolate soldiers from out west - they don't melt!"

Penrith struggled hard in their first decade with few highlights apart from the odd upset win over a more fancied opponent. The club signed experienced players to compliment its junior talent, but little eventuated. What they really needed were two or three of Sydney's best, but almost all rejected the Panthers for travel reasons. Penrith were also restrained in their spending, not prepared to go over the market rate to convince players to move west.

With the biggest junior league in the country, Penrith new their time would come but in football there is little patience. Penrith first looked to South African rugby union for class players, but only returned with two fringe players who delivered little.

In 1973 Penrith signed English power forward Bill Ashurst, and it was soon followed by Dewsbury's Mike Stephenson. Both must have had second thoughts a few weeks later when word reached England that Manly had thrashed Penrith by 70-7.

Now sporting soccer-style jerseys with brown and white vertical bars, 1974 saw the two Englishmen join Tim Sheens, Ross Gigg, Zac Olejarnik, Dennis Tutty, Terry Geary and Terry Wickey in the Panthers side. The coach was former Tamworth school teacher Roy Masters.

Off-field dramas dogged the club through much of the season, though the Panthers performed well in the mid-week Amco Cup to reach the Final. Somehow Penrith managed to lose to the unfancied Western Division side by 6-2. It would be a long 13 seasons before they had their chance to win another trophy.

For 1976 the club signed Bob O'Reilly and David Topliss, welcomed increased home crowds from the growing district and introduced the first cheerleaders to Sydney football. On the field though the results were no better than before.

In 1977 Penrith's Under 15 and Under 17 sides both won their competitions which gave the club great heart.

With Stephenson forced by injury to retire during 1978, Penrith appointed 20 year old Phil Gould as captain. The club was soon devastated when prop John Farragher was injured after a scrum collapse at Henson Park. All were distressed when told the grim news at half-time that his neck had been broken. The season ended with some joy when the Under 23s side won the Grand Final.

Penrith slowly improved through the early 1980s with names such as Kevin Dann, Royce Simmons, Tim Sheens, Daryl Brohman, Lou Zivanovic, Kevin Pobje, Steve Martin, Ken Wolffe, Lew Platz and Mark Levy prominent.

In 1982 the stunning form of local junior Brad Izzard signalled that the wait for home produced talent was nearly over. When 1983 schoolboy star Greg Alexander remained committed to the Panthers after rebutting Parramatta and Canterbury, the club finally looked like it was heading in the right direction.

It missed the 1984 play-offs by a point. In 1985 Penrith finished in equal fifth place with Manly and were forced into a mid-week decider to determine if they had reached their first finals series. The game went into extra-time before Alexander cooly kicked two penalty goals to secure a 10-7 win.

The semi-final three days later saw Penrith against neighbours Parramatta. With little recovery time and premature off-field celebrating, Penrith were run over by 38-6. But at last they could look back at a successful season and build for the following years. Royce Simmons became the club's first Australian Test player in 1986, further marking the growing status of the Panthers. Simmons and Alexander both toured with the Kangaroos at season's end, though Penrith did not make the semis.

In 1987, still under the coaching of Tim Sheens, Penrith again reached the Final of the mid-week cup but lost to Balmain. Mark Geyer and Mark Carroll both played in the Reserve Grade side that won the Grand Final at the SCG.

In 1988 and ‘89 the Panthers were coached by Ron Willey. He made the club into a Top 3 outfit by the end of 1989 before back to back semi-final losses saw a premature end to the season - and Willey's involvement with the club.

Unrest at Canterbury saw the Panthers gain Chris Mortimer and Peter Kelly for the 1990 season. They added to a Penrith side that was now a real threat to the premiership under the guidance of Phil Gould. The team also included Alexander, Geyer, John Cartwright, Colin Van Der Voort, Brad Izzard, Barry Walker, Peter Tunks, Steve Carter, Alan McIndoe and Paul Clarke. Towards the end of the regular season, another local junior rose to first grade - Brad Fittler.

The Panthers again finished in the Top 3 and in the finest day the club had yet seen, they defeated Brisbane by 26-16 to progress to the Major Semi-Final against Canberra. Penrith were fortunate to be level with the Raiders at the end of normal time after Alexander kicked a late goal to leave the score at 12-12. But in extra-time the Panthers scored another three tries to win by 30-12. The club was into its first Grand Final.

After the Raiders defeated Brisbane in the Final, Penrith set themselves for a tough match against the defending premiers. Penrith started the match strongly but two Canberra tries left them behind by 12-0. However, Alexander and Fittler sparked the Panthers who produced a try both sides of half-time to close the gap to 12-10.

One dropped ball late in the game by Penrith saw Canberra pounce, racing away to take a 18-10 lead. Alexander scored an unconverted try soon after, but Canberra held on to win 18-14 leaving the Panthers bitterly disappointed. Four of the team made the Kangaroo tour squad - Cartwright, Geyer, Alexander and the teenage sensation of Fittler.

A change of jerseys in 1991 signalled a renewed determination at Penrith. Wearing a predominately black strip (the panther colour no less), the club gained the services of Paul Dunn and Graham Mackay in the NSWRL player draft. Penrith took the minor premiership by a clear six points which gave them two chances at reaching the Grand Final - they needed only one.

In the semi against North Sydney the Bears fought back from a 12-0 deficit to draw level with Penrith late in the game at 14-all. Greg Alexander kicked a deciding penalty goal to see the Panthers win by 16-14. Canberra then smacked the Bears in the Final, leaving Penrith a rematch with their 1990 opponent.

The Panthers started the Grand Final confidently, and Simmons soon powered through the Raiders close defence to score a converted try to lead by 6-0. Two tries to Canberra put Penrith behind 12-6 at half-time, though only a last ditch cover tackle on Meninga by Fittler stopped it being more. The Raiders were in control and Penrith seemed destined to lose another chance at a trophy.

After sustained attack on the Canberra defensive line, Penrith finally got over after brilliant work from Alexander set Izzard free to level the scores with ten minutes left. Six minutes out Alexander boomed over a field goal from inside the 40m line - it was 13-12 to Penrith.

A desperate Raiders side soon tried a short drop-out to gain possession - it back fired. The ball bounced up for a charging Geyer to hand on to Simmons for a fairytale finish as he dived over in the corner. Alexander converted a sensational goal from the sideline to put Penrith up by 19-12. They had finally won the Grand Final.

Penrith were unable to reach such heights again in the 1990s. The Super League battle saw the Panthers align themselves with the News Ltd clubs. Their star playmaker Brad Fittler meanwhile signed with the ARL and moved to Sydney City. Alexander soon left for Auckland and the club was without the on-field leadership it needed.

Amidst the mayhem of the 1997 season another local junior, Craig Gower, came to the fore and he gained selection in the Australian Super League side that toured England.

The Panthers featured in the play-offs of 1999 but quickly exited after promising to deliver much more. The club survived the NRL reduction to 14 teams in 2000, but found the going particular tough. In 2001 Penrith finished in last place and were only marginally better at the end of 2002. The only positive appeared to be a rising crop of young players.

The 2003 side was built around Luke Priddis (hooker), Craig Gower (half), Preston Campbell (5/8th), Ryan Girdler (centre) and Rhys Wesser (fullback). Coach John Lang populated the rest of his side with relatively unknown and less fashionable players. Few seriously rated the Panthers as a semi-final challenger.

However, Penrith proved to be a steady performer and by the end of the regular season they had astounded all by being Minor Premiers. Their forwards were paving a solid platform for their speedy backline. With Campbell and Wesser sniffing out any chinks in the mid-field, the wingers Luke Rooney and Luke Lewis were finishing off their opportunities on the flanks.

The second row duo of Kiwis Tony Puletua and Joe Galuvao were a relevation as they pounded their opponents with hard running and crash tackling. As were the unheard of forwards of Joel Clinton and Trent Waterhouse.

Even as winner of the J.J. Giltinan Shield, the Panthers were still seen as long shots to take the 2003 title. A handsome home semi-final win over the Brisbane Broncos was followed up by a pleasing defeat of the NZ Warriors in the Final. It still didn't convince many of Penrith's title claims and they entered the Grand Final against the Sydney Roosters as underdogs.

The Panthers were fortunate to escape their own in-goal area from the kick-off in the face of a Roosters onslaught. It seemed the match would go to script, but Penrith did not yield. They fought for field position and by half-time actually held a 6-0 lead in what was fast becoming an enthralling decider.

The Roosters squared the game at 6-6 early in the second half. Penrith ventured back into their opponents quarter, and Girdler put in a short kick that unfortunately richoted away into the hands of Brad Fittler. Seeing an opportunity Fittler shot the ball out to his unmarked winger Todd Byrne who raced upfield.

Byrne seemed certain to score a runaway try that would have in all likelihood shattered the Panthers. From the mid-field though Panthers lock Scott Sattler set chase to keep Byrne wide out for any conversion shot. Sattler showed remarkable tenacity and speed - suddenly he was a chance to catch his man.

He met Byrne deep into Penrith territory and cut him down with a classical cover tackle that threw the winger into touch. The inspirational effort from Sattler rallied the Panthers.

They stayed with the Roosters well into the back end of the match, before Luke Priddis stood up and produced a performance that would deliver to him the Clive Churchill Medal and the premiership to his club. The only Panther with Grand Final experience, Priddis ran himself from dummy half for one try before throwing a breath-taking pass to Luke Rooney to seal the win 18-6.

Penrith had achieved the most remarkable turn-around of any team in the history of the premiership - from last in 2001 to champions of 2003. The Panthers performed well in 2004 as they sought to defend their premiership title - always a difficult task. Penrith reached the Final, where at times they seemed assured of victory, but a lack of ball in the second half ended their season. Very poor form at the start of the 2005 campaign cruelled any chances of the Panthers reaching the play-offs.

Copyright © 2006 - Sean Fagan. All rights reserved - the article above may not be reproduced (in full or part) in any form without written permission.