More than 700 aircraft engineers from Qantas, Jetstar and Perth-based FIFO subsidiary Network Aviation will conduct a “one-minute work stoppage” in August.
The Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers’ Association (ALAEA) federal secretary Steve Purvinas told members in a meeting on Wednesday that the majority had voted in favor of industrial action.
Airline engineers are asking their employer for a 12 per cent pay rise to make up for stagnant wages the last four years.
The union’s first action will be a one-minute stoppage across all airlines sometime in late August.
“The first action will be a token one,” Mr Purvinas told members.
“A one-minute stoppage of course is not going to harm any airline and also demonstrates our willingness to negotiate in good faith and not try and harm the airline.”
Mr Purvinas said the token stoppage aimed to give the airlines an opportunity to come to the table.
“We do want to give some time for resolution of these matters before we have to do anything that may even be close to disrupting the public,” he said.
The strikes come at a difficult time for Australia’s national flag carrier, as the aviation industry struggles with staff shortages that have led to flight cancellations, delays and missing luggage.
If the stoppage does not motivate negotiations, the union plans to notify the airline of more work stoppages.
During these stoppages, the union has offered to provide “alternative labor provisions” to the airline.
“We want to assure the public that we won’t be harming their services,” Mr Purvinas said.
“Our target is the airlines who are not negotiating in good faith.”
ALAEA members voted against using overtime bans to avoid “exacerbating” already challenging conditions in the industry.
A Qantas spokesman told the NCA NewsWire in July that the 12 per cent pay rise was something the airline “simply can’t afford”.
They said Qantas had a policy of 2 per cent annual increases for all employees across the Group.
The airline has a history of not holding back when it comes to dealing with union industrial action.
Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce infamously grounded the airline during a dispute with the ALAEA and two other unions back in 2011, leaving 200,000 passengers stranded without notice.
A string of celebrities dazzled at a glamorous runway show hosted by Australian retailer David Jones on Wednesday night.
But while former foreign minister Julie Bishop’s “revenge” dress turned heads at the Sydney event, she wasn’t the only famous face who went all-out in the fashion stakes.
Model Natalie Roser “got dressed up” for the superstore’s Spring Summer fashion show, wearing a skin-tight black dress from Australian designer Effie Kats.
The $299 “Gia Mia Dress” is made from a “wet-look jersey” that clung to Natalie’s body, prompting a wave of comments on social media.
“Unsure if I was made for the dress or the dress was made for me…” the 32-year-old wrote on Instagram.
“Sizzling,” one user wrote in response, while another said: “Spectacular.”
“In both cases dress is yours,” another added.
While one described Natalie as looking like “catwoman”.
Fashion designer Pip Edwards was also at the event, wearing a pair of white wide-leg pants with a backless black top and sparkly Prada heels.
The former girlfriend of cricket star Michael Clarke posed alongside two of her PE Nation employees Claire Tregoning and Luke Morrell.
Pip later stopped for a snap with Julie Bishop, who was wearing a $3,750 metallic jacquard long-sleeved mini dress designed by French luxury fashion house Balmain.
The 66-year-old politician turned fashion icon finished her look with a chic black clutch and matching heels at the runway show, her first public appearance since her break-up with longtime boyfriend David Panton last month.
Former Miss World Australia Erin Holland looked sensational in a “liquid gold” dress from luxury Italian fashion designer Fendi.
She teamed her outfit with a bag from the same brand and a pair of gold Tony Bianco heels.
The catwalk showcased an array of spring and summer fashion from the best of Australian and international designers.
NRL star Bryce Cartwright has fronted a Sydney court after police took out a restraining order to protect his anti-vaxxer wife.
The 27-year-old Parramatta Eels forward split from his former wife Shanelle early last year, after the couple caused controversy over their views on vaccinations.
Cartwright walked away from a $450,000-a-season contract with the Gold Coast Titans and returned to NSW in September 2020 with his then-wife and two children.
Months later, the pair split up following their three-year marriage.
It was revealed this week that police have now sought an apprehended violence order (AVO) against Cartwright on behalf of his ex-wife.
He fronted Waverley Local Court on Thursday but the matter was quickly adjourned.
Cartwright will have to face court again on August 25. He has not been charged with any criminal offence.
An interim order prevents the 27-year-old from assaulting, threatening, stalking, harassing or intimidating Shanelle.
Standard conditions of the interim order state he also must not damage her property or harm any animal she owns.
Neither the Parramatta Eels or NSW Police have commented on the matter.
The former couple received heavy criticism in 2020 after they expressed their beliefs about vaccinations widely on social media.
Cartwright and his ex-wife said they chose not to vaccinate their children, which was condemned by medical experts.
They called themselves “pro-choice” rather than “anti-vax”.
Both Shanelle and Cartwright were sent a number of threats due to the controversial stance.
A string of celebrities dazzled at a glamorous runway show hosted by Australian retailer David Jones on Wednesday night.
But while former foreign minister Julie Bishop’s “revenge” dress turned heads at the Sydney event, she wasn’t the only famous face who went all-out in the fashion stakes.
Model Natalie Roser “got dressed up” for the superstore’s Spring Summer fashion show, wearing a skin-tight black dress from Australian designer Effie Kats.
The $299 “Gia Mia Dress” is made from a “wet-look jersey” that clung to Natalie’s body, prompting a wave of comments on social media.
“Unsure if I was made for the dress or the dress was made for me…” the 32-year-old wrote on Instagram.
“Sizzling,” one user wrote in response, while another said: “Spectacular.”
“In both cases dress is yours,” another added.
While one described Natalie as looking like “catwoman”.
Fashion designer Pip Edwards was also at the event, wearing a pair of white wide-leg pants with a backless black top and sparkly Prada heels.
The former girlfriend of cricket star Michael Clarke posed alongside two of her PE Nation employees Claire Tregoning and Luke Morrell.
Pip later stopped for a snap with Julie Bishop, who was wearing a $3,750 metallic jacquard long-sleeved mini dress designed by French luxury fashion house Balmain.
The 66-year-old politician turned fashion icon finished her look with a chic black clutch and matching heels at the runway show, her first public appearance since her break-up with longtime boyfriend David Panton last month.
Former Miss World Australia Erin Holland looked sensational in a “liquid gold” dress from luxury Italian fashion designer Fendi.
She teamed her outfit with a bag from the same brand and a pair of gold Tony Bianco heels.
The catwalk showcased an array of spring and summer fashion from the best of Australian and international designers.
Brooklyn Beckham claims all is well amid the ongoing feud between his mother, Victoria Beckham, and his new wife, Nicola Peltz.
“I’ve learned they’re always going to try to write stuff like that,” the 23-year-old Brit told Variety in their latest “Power of Young Hollywood” issue. “They’re always going to try and put people down. But everyone gets along, which is good.”
Peltz — who married the cook this past April — also attempted to deny any drama with her designer mother-in-law, but mused that she thinks the buzz started when she didn’t wear a Victoria Beckham-brand gown on her wedding day, opting for Valentino.
“I was going to and I really wanted to, and then a few months down the line, she realized that her atelier couldn’t do it, so then I had to pick another dress,” Peltz, 27, revealed during the interview.
“She didn’t say you can’t wear it; Ella i did n’t say ella I did n’t want to wear it. That’s where it started, and then they ran with that.”
However, sources told Page Six that the young beauty and the Spice Girls singer-turned fashionista, “can’t stand each other and don’t talk,” adding that, “The build-up to the wedding was horrendous” because Peltz didn’t want Beckham, “ to be any part of the planning, and she wouldn’t clue Victoria in on anything. Communication was minimal.”
Palm Beach-based insiders also suggested that “cultural differences between the two families” is also to blame for the reported tension as Peltz’s father is billionaire investor Nelson Peltz.
“It’s pretty obvious there’s an issue between the two families. Everybody needs to find their place. They’re just not quite connecting yet.”
This article originally appeared on the New York Post and has been reproduced here with permission
Penrith legend Greg Alexander has shut down claims he was sent in by the Panthers to fire a premeditated attack on Melbourne ahead of Thursday’s clash between the clubs.
Speaking after Patrick Carrigan’s ugly hip drop tackle on Tigers star Jackson Hastings, Alexander sparked controversy when he claimed the Storm were to blame for the wrestling tactics which have infiltrated the NRL.
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Carrigan’s tackle led to Hastings breaking his leg and the Broncos forward copping a four-match suspension.
Storm legend Cameron Smith and Melbourne boss Matt Tripp have fired back in the bitter stoush with Alexander but the footy great is standing firm.
Journalist Brent Read suggested on NRL 360 on Wednesday night Alexander’s comments were timed to add spice to Thursday’s clash and the upcoming finals series.
“I don’t think the club’s gone to Brandy and said, ‘Hey Brandy, how about you go on radio this week and give it to Melbourne’,” Read said.
“But I’m sure there’s a little something in him in the argument that it’s a good time to bring it up, to raise it and point the finger at Melbourne.”
Alexander replied on Thursday, saying “even (Read) didn’t believe what he was saying, the rest of the panel certainly didn’t tumble into it”.
Alexander shut down suggestions he was launching a media campaign against the Storm on behalf of the Panthers.
“It’s ludicrous to think there was any planning in the comments I made,” Alexander told SEN Breakfast. “We made the comments based on our listeners and what they were saying.
“It was about the Patrick Carrigan hip drop and the no-charge to Nelson Asofa-Solomona.
“That’s how the story came about. I just mentioned a couple of things thinking it wasn’t any great revelation. Cam Smith had his say of him, I had my say.
“End of story, there was no planning and nothing to do with Penrith, it was just me.”
Brandy hopes that’s the end of it. Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
It comes as relations between Alexander and the Storm sour, following Tripp’s stinging public rebuke of the Penrith co-chairman. .
Alexander said he was “surprised” by the initial backlash, adding: “I thought it was just a general consensus that over the last 20 years that all the tackles, the wrestling techniques had come out of Melbourne.
“I might be generalizing or even jumping to a conclusion, but I don’t think I am.
“These tackles over the last 20 years, all the different types of techniques, they appear in the game and it takes the game a little while to catch up to them.”
Smith had labeled Alexander’s comments “really unfair” but Tripp went much further, claiming Alexander has been “a Melbourne Storm detractor for many years, to the extent that when he’s commentating one of our games, most of us down here in Melbourne have to watch it with the volume turned down because he’s so biased and so one-sided and so anti-Melbourne that not only is he embarrassing himself, but he’s embarrassing the broadcasters he represents”.
Tripp added the accusation was “beyond absurd”, then doubled down.
“For the deputy chair of one of our biggest competitors, a week out from having to play them, to make unfounded and stupid comments as he has done, just goes to the arrogance of that club and their perceived status in the game at the moment ,” he told The Ageadding it was “borderline defamatory” and “I can’t believe that his continued witch hunt for us for over 20 years still goes on to this day”.
Cameron Smith defended his former club. Photo by Mike Owen/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
Alexander hit back at those comments.
“I wasn’t even aware that in Round 22 Penrith were playing Melbourne on Thursday night. I haven’t got enough room in my brain to think about weeks ahead,” Alexander said on Monday.
“I’m a journalist that chases clickbait stories? If there was someone in the game chasing headlines at least, I might fall into that category with a number of others.
“Another claim was that I’ve been singling out and campaigning against the Melbourne Storm for years.
“That’s just garbage, it’s just fanciful and it’s in the fairytale realm that I speak about sometimes, that’s just made up.”
Others have also come to Alexander’s defence.
His SEN co-host Andrew Voss said “Melbourne is the best at it” when it comes to wrestling tactics.
The Daily Telegraph’s Michael Carayannis told NRL 360: “There’s no doubt the Storm have a chip on their shoulder as soon as anyone mentions the word wrestle.”
Braith Anasta added: “You know what I think about Melbourne, I think they only hear the negative.
“We sit here every week and we commentate their games and we praise them every week about the powerhouse they’ve been since they’ve come into the competition.
“The success they’ve had, their continued success year after year after year under Craig Bellamy and their organization and the head honchos has been unbelievable and unrivalled.
“But if anyone criticizes or criticises Melbourne in any way, shape or form it’s Sydney against Melbourne and we’re attacking Melbourne Storm.”
Cameron Smith’s imminent defection is being viewed as the biggest “coup” to date for LIV in their quest for legitimacy.
Until now, The PGA Tour and its supporters could argue that the rebel league is merely a competition where washed up pros go to fill their bank accounts. No longer.
While tour veterans Phil Mickelson and Sergio Garcia were the initial names linked to the financially lucrative competition, the domino effect can’t be denied.
Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau and Dustin Johnson – three of the biggest names on the US PGA – have taken the money and left.
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Cameron Smith’s pending defection to LIV Golf has been met with a mixed reception. Photo: Getty ImagesSource: AFP
Smith’s signing however is being seen as a game-changer.
At 28, he is only now coming into the peak of his powers, he is the most recent major winner and he overran Rory McIlroy, the biggest name in world golf since Tiger Woods, to claim the Open Championship.
Nonetheless, Smith’s pending defection, which the Australian remained coy about ahead of the FedEx Cup playoff opener, hasn’t been filled with overwhelming excitement and a popping of corks.
Indeed, there’s an overarching sense of disappointment, inevitability and sadness about Smith’s likely defection; financial security has won over legacy and moral compass.
McIlroy reveals tension with LIV golfers | 01:30
Writing for the UK Telegraph – the same publication that broke Smith’s defection on a deal worth more than $AU140 million – chiefs sports writer Oliver Brown emphasized that Smith’s defection “might” capture an audience that eventually garners a TV deal.
“His signing is arguably the Saudis’ most significant coup to date, and could represent a tipping point for the competition – a moment where a gilded freakshow turned into a sporting event which might demand the world’s attention,” Brown wrote.
At the heart of the appeal of LIV Golf, Brown hit the nail on his head when he revealed the ridiculous sums of money today’s stars were forgoing by resisting a move from the PGA Tour.
“Against this backdrop, you can see why the initial contact from Greg Norman, LIV’s ringmaster, became an offer Smith could not refuse,” he wrote.
“(Henrick) Stenson, a 46-year-old who has failed to reach the weekend in seven of his last nine majors, is the type of player he should be beating for breakfast. And yet the Swede, quickly forgetting his defenestration of him as Ryder Cup captain, earned more for a glorified three-day exhibition at Bedminster than Smith did for winning the 150th Open at the Home of Golf.
“From Smith’s perspective, this is an imbalance that urgently needs correcting. If he takes home the maximum loot of £3.93 million on his LIV debut in Boston next month, he would eclipse even the £2.98 million he earned at the Players Championship in May, in what was then the richest prize ever offered by a single golf tournament. Why should the leading man tolerate making less than some forgotten members of the chorus line?”
Cam Smith and others set to join LIV | 01:30
Brown continued by highlighting the ridiculous Saudi-funded money on offer but said the sheer financial sums couldn’t, at least at this point, match the theatre, drama and excitement on show at the PGA and DP World Tours.
“The numbers are so absurd, the golf itself has been rendered a sideshow. When Stenson holed the decisive putt at Bedminster, for the grandest payday of his career, the moment was greeted by the faintest rustle of polite applause. Even the winner himself did not look unduly bothered,” Brown wrote in The Telegraph.
“Here lies the sadness in Smith’s defection. With his talent in the fullest bloom, he deserves to be playing in front of the largest galleries, for the highest stakes. LIV ultimately offers him neither. It is a realm with all the money but none of the prestige. Smith, you sense, understands what true glory in golf means. As he gave his acceptance speech on the 18th green at St Andrews, the Claret Jug in his hand, the quaver in his voice suggested he was genuinely overwhelmed.
“For Smith to be swapping such moments for hollow, show-me-the-money exercises is a cause for lament. At one level, his departure from him in his prime from him demonstrates the scale of the Saudis’ ambitions. But at another, it is the grimmest possible reflection of the schism they have wrought.”
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Australia’s Cameron Smith’s decision not to answer whether he is joining LIV has been described as “cowardly” and “lame”. Photo: Getty ImagesSource: AFP
At the USATodayAndy Nesbitt, was far more scathing.
In particular, the publication took aim at Smith’s decision to deflect questions around his future and offer no definitive answer on whether he intended to shift allegiances.
“In doing so, (Smith) tarnished a reputation that just a few weeks ago was one of the best in professional golf,” Nesbitt wrote.
“Smith didn’t deny it and he didn’t confirm it, he just said he had “no comment” on that, which is a really lame way of ducking the question while also pretty much confirming the report to be true.”
Nesbitt went as far as saying his responses were “cowardly.”
“But to not come out with a definitive answer when asked about it before the start of the PGA Tour playoffs is a pretty cowardly thing to do.
“Now it’s a little harder to cheer for a guy who just a few weeks ago was the coolest golfer in the world.”
Terse Cam refuses to address LIV rumors | 00:43
Thomas Kershaw from The Timestoo, wrote that Smith’s pending defection was the competition’s “biggest coup”.
“It has been very easy up until now to dismiss the gimmicks of LIV’s format — featuring shotgun starts, 54 holes and no cuts — as a watered-down exhibition lacking the essentials of elite competition. Critics could point to the players who shrugged off missed putts knowing their money was guaranteed beforehand and the rebel series was derived as a refuge for those who had cashed in on the twilight of their careers,” Kershaw wrote.
“The signing of Smith is a significant riposte to that narrative. LIV may already have a horde of relatively recent major champions but Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka have battled injuries and indifferent form while Phil Mickelson still seems a ghost of his former self. Smith, 28, is the first to defect who is not just at the peak of the game but still entering the prime of his own.
He continued: “Smith remains LIV’s biggest coup to date and also symbolizes another aspect of their revolt that could bring considerable success. Smith had been vocal in urging the PGA Tour to bring a major golf event back to Australia but while those calls fell on deaf ears, LIV — and Norman — have been only too keen to hear them. When LIV expands into a 14-tournament league next year, it is reportedly scheduled to stop in Sydney in April, where Smith is expected to feature in an all-Australian team.”
Australian Cameron Smith is coming under renewed scrutiny ahead of the FedEx St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind on August 10, 2022 in Memphis. Photo: Getty ImagesSource: AFP
Closer to home, James Erskine, the former manager of the late Shane Warne, who also managed Greg Norman in the past, told The Sydney Morning Herald the emergence of LIV was “destabilizing”, but didn’t accept the argument that players had blood on their hands given the competition is being backed by Saudi Arabia.
“It’s destabilizing the fabric of professional golf. I’m on the board of the PGA of Australia and we have to look after all professionals and professionals coming up. They all start as amateurs somewhere and are nurtured through the pathway so they could play golf, and then they get cards and qualify professionally,” he said. “So many people do business with Saudi Arabia and the Middle East, where they have very different rules and regulations and different respect for women.
“But you can name just about any company and they will probably have a link to Saudi Arabia, Rolex, Range Rover, Rolls Royce, Ferrari. Everyone’s doing business with them, so I think it’s very unfair to turn around and say because you’re a professional golfer, you shouldn’t deal with Saudi Arabia.”
Meanwhile, Erskine said Smith would be welcomed to play in Australia even if he joins LIV Golf.
A group of Melbourne men have been absolutely roasted online after they were snapped all wearing the same, very popular outfit.
It’s no secret that Aussies love a good North Face jacket, with the black puffer jackets coming out any time the temperature drops below 15C.
Australia’s obsession with this jacket is a long-running joke, which is probably why Tahlea Aualiitia couldn’t resist taking a snap when she spotted five men all sporting the clothing item.
“Surely Melbourne has a collective noun for this,” the ABC reporter wrote on Twitter above the image.
The picture shows everyone in the group wearing a black North Face jacket, black or navy pants and RM Williams boots.
The tweet has received more than 10,000 likes and almost 800 retweets.
“Always the boots … Australians cosplaying as farmers,” one Twitter user wrote.
Another person said: “I’ve got one of these coats myself. I thought it was great until I went to Melbourne wearing it and discovered that it seems to be part of a uniform there.”
The post was also also shared to the Reddit group r/Melbourne, with the poster suggesting a “puff of people” could be a good name for the phenomenon.
This prompted a long list of hilarious suggestions from users, including Kathmandudes, a Clusterpuff, Puff Daddies and a MacPack.
“The classic black puffer jacket and RM Williams combo,” one user wrote.
“RM Williams, for all that rugged outdoorsy stuff you do in your day to day life in the inner city. Like climbing in and out of the drivers seat of your Prado before hiking the 10 meters from your driveway to the front door,” another added.
One person said: “Ah yes the common Melbourne male. He can be seen with a latte in one hand as he obnoxiously takes up the whole footpath with his work colleagues. ”
While others were ridiculing the group for their matching fashion, one Reddit user was quick to jump to their defense.
“Look, it gets bloody cold in Melbourne and there isn’t anything warmer, lighter and functional than a down-filled jacket. Puffer jackets are a necessity not a fashion choice – they are a very intelligent addition to a winter wardrobe in Melbourne,” they wrote.
“The problem (it isn’t a problem) is lack of choice. Every store has puffer jackets but the styles and colors available are extremely limited. So you buy a black one that will go with anything. What looks good with a black jacket? Black jean. So you wear it with black jeans.
“Interstate visitors often mention the ‘Melbourne uniform’ (because we wear a lot of black). We don’t choose to wear black, black chooses us. I’m ignoring the black and brown Chelsea boots, because they are an Australia-wide plague.”
The North Face jacket obsession is so widespread, that a British expat dedicated a whole TikTok to mocking Aussies over it.
Daniel Olaniran, known as @olantekkers, is originally from the UK but has lived in Australia for over two years.
The former professional footballer is clearly no stranger to chilly English training sessions, which is probably why he thinks Australia’s obsession with mountain wear brands North Face and Kathmandu as soon as it gets cold is a bit rich.
“Australians in the winter man, you lot are funny man,” he said.
“You guys can’t wait to bring out the North Face jackets… I’m seeing big puffy North Face jackets looking Arsène Wenger, you know what I mean.”
One video captioned “mornings in Bondi” showed dozens of Sydneysiders in huge puffer jackets with the sun out.
He said he’s noticed the amount of Aussies in “North Face drip from head to toe, including the hat and gloves, like what is this man”.
“It’s not even that cold man, all you need is a light jumper and you’re ready to roll bruv.”
“In Sydney I really don’t think it gets too cold… it gets chilly but not on the level of a winter in London,” he said via the Daily Mail.
“I think most Aussies struggle because they’re obviously so used to the sun.”
An Australian wine company has won a “landmark” court case in China after more than six years of fighting a copycat brand.
Treasury Wine Estates owns and produces a number of well-known wine labels including Penfolds and Wolf Blass. However, the issue arose when company Rush Rich used part of the Penfolds branding on its own bottles.
After six years of fighting, on Wednesday, the Supreme People’s Court of China ruled in Treasury’s favor, finding that the other wine company had acted in “bad faith” against them.
The court found that Chinese-Australian company Rush Rich improperly used a Chinese character which was a copyright breach of the Penfolds brand.
This was “illicit conduct”, according to the court.
Treasury Wine Estates said the other company had tried to “exploit” its brand and was happy about the decision from the Chinese court, calling it a “landmark win”.
The court ruled that Rush Rich’s registration of the Chinese character mark for Penfolds Winery was invalid.
“We welcome the Judgment by the Supreme People’s Court of China and thank the Chinese authorities for their continued support in protecting the rights of luxury brand owners,” Penfolds managing director Tom King said.
Following its “longstanding battle” with Rush Rich, Treasury said it takes a “zero tolerance approach” to copyright breaches.
Anna Olsen, global director of intellectual property for Treasury Wine Estates, said in a statement: “Protecting the integrity of our historic brands against trademark piracy and misappropriation has always been a global priority.
“We’ll spare no effort to protect our brands and will pursue our rights to the highest courts where necessary.
“This case shows we won’t tolerate attempts to exploit and infringe the intellectual property rights and reputation of brands in the Treasury Wine Estates portfolio.”
Government regulator Wine Australia was also happy with the court case outcome as it has been working hard to maintain the international reputation of Australian wine.
The case is timely as Penfolds is looking to launch its wine in China.
In 2019, Rush Rich was also slammed with a massive fine in Australia’s Federal Court after being found to have infringed on several trademarks of Treasury Wine Estates.
The company had to pay $375,000 in compensation and was barred from using the images again.
Before the Australian Federal Court case, Treasury Wine Estates took Rush Rich to the Shanghai Pudong Court.
That court also ruled in favor of Treasury Wine Estates and ordered Rush Rich to pay back 2,000,000 Chinese yuan ($A426,000 at the time).
The Penrith Panthers have been defended against claims of arrogance directed at the club from Storm chairman Matt Tripp ahead of their grudge match on Thursday night.
Ahead of their Round 22 clash, the Panthers rivally with the Storm was ignited by Penrith chair Greg Alexander’s comments suggesting Melbourne brought the wrestle into the game, prompting a fiery response.
“Ivan Cleary has responded to explosive comments from Storm chairman Matt Tripp that labeled Penrith deputy chairman Greg Alexander and the Panthers club arrogant after Alexander accused Storm of pioneering wrestling tactics in the game,” Braith Anasta said on NRL 360.
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“Tripp hit back with this pointed attack: “For the deputy chair of one of our biggest competitors to make unfounded and stupid comments, just goes to the arrogance of that club and their perceived status in the game.”
Panthers coach Ivan Cleary defended the club after Tripp’s scathing attack in light of Alexander’s comments in his role as a commentator, which has nothing to do with Penrith as a club.
“Absolutely unfair,” Cleary said.
“I’m not here to judge anybody else. I know that Brandy (Alexander) is an outstanding commentator. He is a decorated figure in the game for many years as a player and a commentator. I think if anyone is able to have an opinion it is Brandy and most of his opinions of him are spot on.
“That was his opinion in a different role so I don’t think it is fair for everyone else at our club to be labeled what we were.
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Ivan Cleary has defended his players and the Panthers as a club.Source: News Corp Australia
“I don’t know why people say it, but I don’t believe it is true. The consistency we have shown over the last three years, I don’t think there is any way you can do that if you are disrespectful or arrogant.
“I’m not sure how every other club does it, but if there is any team that has players that spend more time with the public and kids, particularly after games, than our boys do then I would like to see it.
“We are very proud of our club and our boys. We are probably not perfect, but I would like to think we are doing a decent job.”
“The Penrith Panthers are not doing a decent job, they are doing an outstanding job,” Anasta said.
“They have been marvelous the last few years and they are close to greatness looking to go back-to-back. Are they arrogant?”
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Jarome Luai has been accused of crossing the line on the field at times.Source: Getty Images
The Daily Telegraph’s Brent Read believes there needs to be a clear line between what the Panthers do on and off the field and defended any perceived arrogance from players during matches.
“I think you have got to differentiate what they are like on the field and off the field,” Read said.
“Ivan was talking about how they do a lot of work with kids. Off the field those guys like Jarome Luai and Nathan Cleary are fantastic blokes.
“On the field they play with swagger. They play with a bit of arrogance. You have got to have that to be successful.”
Anasta agreed that arrogance can be a powerful tool for a sporting team when used correctly.
“Don’t you want that?” Anasta said.
PK: ‘The fact is players get injured!’ | 02:24
“In any sport you have got to have confidence. Some people think they cross the line a little bit but you need confidence. You need a little bit of arrogance. You need to go out there thinking, I’ve got you covered.”
Paul Kent believes the Panthers are an outstanding club off the field and if the players show arrogance on the field, their success has given them the right to express themselves.
“It all shapes in narratives,” Kent said.
“They do have swagger. They are confident and they are aggressive and they let you know it and they actually reveal it in showing you how well they are going.
“That’s on the field. Ivan didn’t address that at all. I have addressed them off the field where he was 100 per cent right.
Buzz: Roosters have looming cap issues | 04:08
“They are tremendous the way they interact with their fans and give back to the community.
“I think it is not a bad thing what they do on the field. It annoys me sometimes. I don’t like seeing some of the things, but it is part of the big picture.
“Everyone wants it to be completely black or completely white. They are neither. They are somewhere in the middle and that is where the fun happens to be honest.
“They are a little bit arrogant on the field, but it is a healthy arrogance.”
The Daily Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield believes the Panthers players are expressing themselves and their upbringing, which they are very proud of.
“You don’t want a dull boring footy team,” Rothfield said.
“You want personality. You want characters.
“What we see from Penrith on the football field is these boys who have grown up in the district in tough areas around Mt Druit and St Marys and they are characters.
“They just love celebrating it. I don’t think it is arrogance.”
