opposition players – Michmutters
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Casualty Ward, Round 22, injuries, ins and outs, return dates, Liam Martin, Penrith Panthers

The Panthers have suffered yet another injury blow to their already-depleted stocks, with Liam Martin rolling his ankle in Thursday night’s clash with the Storm.

Martin suffered the injury in the second half and hobbled from the field in clear pain, supported by two trainers.

The 25-year-old Blues star later hobbled to the bench using crutches, and was seen with ice wrapped around his ankle.

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INJURED IN ROUND 22

Liam Martin (ankle) – TBC

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Liam Martin copped a painful ankle injury in another blow to the Panthers.Source: FOX SPORTS

FULL CASUALTY WARD

BRONCOS

Jordan Pereira (illness) – TBC

Albert Kelly (foot) – Round 22

TC Robati (arm) – Round 22

Herbie Farnworth (biceps) – indefinite

Patrick Carrigan (suspension) – Round 25

raiders

Ryan Sutton (head knock) – Round 22

Xavier Savage (ankle) – Round 22

Joseph Tapine (ribs) – Round 23

Nick Cotric (suspended) – Round 23

Harry Rushton (jaw) – Round 25

Jarrod Croker (shoulder) – season

Josh Hodgson (knee) – season

Harley Smith-Shields (knee) – season

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BULLDOGS

Paul Alamoti (cheekbone) – Round 22

Ava Seumanufagai (calf) – Round 22

Tevita Pangai Jnr (personal reasons) – Round 23

Corey Waddell (suspension) – Round 25

Corey Allan (groin) – Round 25

Reece Hoffman (hand) – Round 25

Luke Thompson (concussion) – indefinite

Jack Hetherington (shoulder) – season

Billy Tsikrikas (knee) – season

SHARKS

Royce Hunt (shoulder) – Round 22

Connor Tracey (head knock) – Round 23

Matt Moylan (quad) – Round 23

Sione Katoa (pectoral) – season

Jack Williams (shoulder) – season

TITANS

Joe Vuna (knee) – indefinite

Shallin Fuller (leg) – season

Aaron Booth (knee) – season

Cleary backs NRL over Stuart suspension | 02:44

BE EAGLES

Josh Aloiai (knee) – Round 22

Kieran Foran (hamstring) – Round 22

Taniela Paseka (knee) – Round 23

Sean Keppie (shoulder) – TBC

Tom Trbojevic (shoulder) – season

Karl Lawton (knee) – season

STORM

Nick Meaney (shoulder) – Round 22

Justin Olam (Covid) – Round 22

Jahrome Hughes (shoulder) – Round 23-24

Felise Kaufusi (personal reasons) – TBC

Tepai Moeroa (shoulder) – Round 23

Trent Loiero (back) – indefinite

Ryan Papenhuyzen (knee) – season

Reimis Smith (pectoral) – season

Christian Welch (Achilles) – season

George Jennings (knee) – season

KNIGHTS

Jake Clifford (arm) – TBC

Mitch Barnett (thumb) – TBC

Edrick Lee (foot) – TBC

Hymel Hunt (abductor) – TBC

Lachlan Fitzgibbon (shoulder) – TBC

Kurt Mann (quad) – Round 22

Chris Vea’ila (leg) – indefinite

Kalyn Ponga (concussion) – indefinite

Bailey Hodgson (elbow) – season

Dylan Lucas (pectoral) – season

COWBOYS

Jordan McLean (hamstring) – Round 22

Kyle Feldt (hamstring) – Round 23

Mitch Dunn (knee) – season

Heilum Luki (knee) – season

EELS

Bailey Simonsson (hamstring) – Round 22

Mitchell Moses (finger) – Round 24-25

Nathan Brown (finger) – TBC

Haze Dunster (knee) – season

Ray Stone (knee) – season

PANTHERS

Taylan May (shoulder) – Round 23-24

James Fisher-Harris (suspended) – Round 24

Jarome Luai (knee) – finals

Nathan Cleary (suspension) – finals

Liam Martin (ankle) – TBC

Do Panthers deserve ‘arrogant’ tag? | 03:03

RABBITOHS

Peter Mamouzelos (wrist) – Round 22

Hame Sele (hamstring) – Round 22

Thomas Burgess (groin) – Round 23

Campbell Graham (cheekbone) – Round 23

Jed Cartwright (hamstring) – Round 23

Kodi Nikorima (hamstring) – Round 24

Michael Chee Kam (thumb) – Round 25

Liam Knight (knee) – season

Jacob Host (shoulder) – season

dragons

Cody Ramsey (knee) – Round 22-23

Jayden Sullivan (shoulder) – Round 23

Mikaele Ravalawa (hamstring) – finals

Moses Suli (ankle) – finals

Tariq Sims (suspended) – finals

ROOSTERS

Sam Verrills (head knock) – Round 22

Egan Butcher (suspended) – Round 22

Lindsay Collins (concussion) – Round 23

Siosiua Taukeiaho (cheekbone) – Round 23

Billy Smith (knee) – season

Sitili Tupouniua (knee) – season

WARRIORS

Aaron Pene (leg) – Round 23

Jesse Arthars (quad) – Round 23

Chanel Harris-Tavita (knee) – Round 23

Ben Murdoch-Masila (elbow) – Round 24-25

Jazz Tevaga (shoulder) – season

Ronald Volkman (shoulder) – season

TIGERS

Luke Garner (neck) – Round 22-23

Tommy Talau (knee) – Round 24-25

Stefano Utoikamanu (wrist) – Round 24-25

Luke Brooks (calf) – Round 25

Jackson Hastings (ankle) – season

Alex Twal (concussion) – season

Shawn Blore (ACL) – season

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Penrith Panthers v Melbourne Storm, rivalry, round 22, hubris, Ivan Cleary, Matt Tripp, Greg Alexander, Cameron Smith

The most explosive clash of the NRL season is set to unfold when Penrith host Melbourne on Thursday night in the wake of a bitter war of words between the clubs.

They’re the two most successful teams, alongside the Roosters, of the past five years and will meet in a highly-anticipated top-four showdown.

The Storm and Panthers have ended each other’s campaigns in arguably the two best games of the past two seasons.

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Melbourne won the premiership after Penrith finished on top of the ladder in 2020 and then those roles were reversed last year.

The rivalry between the past two premiers is the fiercest in the game right now.

Panthers players were outraged by Instagram videos after the 2020 grand finale and they got their revenge by knocking the Storm out in an epic preliminary final last year.

“They don’t like each other,” The Australian’s Brent Read said on NRL360 on Wednesday about the rivalry

“It’s been evident for a while that these teams dislike each other but it’s gone up a notch this week.”

Both teams will be missing key cavalry for the blockbuster at BlueBet Stadium but tensions will still be sky high with plenty on the line for both teams in the run to the finals.

The Panthers were superb last week against the Canberra Raiders without the State of Origin halves pairing of Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai, but things get even tougher with James Fisher-Harris now suspended.

The latest chapter in the clubs’ fierce rivalry is now set to be written after Panthers great Greg Alexander and Storm legend Cameron Smith traded barbs throughout the week.

The Panthers and Storm have built quite the rivalry. Greg Alexander (left) and Cameron Smith (right). GettySource: FOX SPORTS

That stoush over who is responsible for an influx of dangerous tackles in the game quickly escalated.

“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,” Alexanders said after Smith blew up at his initial accusation.

The exchange between Alexander and Smith prompted a stunning outburst from Melbourne’s chairman and owner Matt Tripp.

Tripp blasted Penrith deputy chairman Alexander’s comments as “stupid” and accused the reigning premiers of arrogance.

“Absolutely unfair,” Clearly said of Tripp’s comments.

“I’m not here to judge anyone else. But I know that Brandy (Alexander) is an outstanding commentator and a decorated figure in the game. If anyone’s able to have an opinion it’s Brandy.

“Most of his opinions are spot on. But that was his opinion of him in a completely different role. So, I don’t think it’s fair for everyone else at our club to be labeled what we were, but these things happen sometimes.”

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Following Tripp’s blow-up, the Storm were then accused of having a “chip on their shoulder” by the NRL 360 panel who also believe the Panthers will use Tripp’s comments as motivation.

“There’s going to be plenty of spice, it’s going to be a great game,” Paul Crawley said.

“The Storm are in a bit of strife on the field and they really have to show some signs of fighting back and I just can’t see how they’re going to do that against the Panthers.”

“What I’m fascinated with is the chairman versus the deputy chairman, Tripp versus Alexander,” Paul Kent said.

PK: ‘The fact is players get injured!’ | 02:24

“Some of the things that Tripp said about Penrith, he said the club was arrogant, he turned from criticism of Greg Alexander into criticism of the club.

“And I’ll tell you one thing about Penrith, when you criticize them, they respond to it and they’re very good at coming out and saying ‘is this what you think about us, well we’ll show you what we think about you’ and they deliver.”

Brent Read believes Alexander may have tactically brought up the tackling argument ahead of the clash.

“At this time of year, this invariably raises its head, you point the finger at Melbourne and say they invented the wrestle and it’s just an easy argument,” Read said.

“I’m it doesn’t hurt Penrith (this week).”

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Read also defended any perceived arrogance from Penrith players during matches.

“On the field they play with swagger. They play with a bit of arrogance. You have got to have that to be successful.”

Braith Anasta agreed that arrogance can be a powerful tool for a sporting team when used correctly.

“In any sport you have got to have confidence,” Anasta said.

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.”

Storm star Jahrome Hughes apologized earlier this season after being named as the main culprit in 2020 grand final celebration footage mocking Panthers players’ Mt Druit roots.

Panthers center Stephen Crichton revealed the footage was used as motivation, sparking their stunning 2021 preliminary final win over Melbourne.

To motivate his players prior to the 2021 preliminary final, assistant coach Cameron Ciraldo saved the clip.

Ciraldo told his players in the lead-up to the Panthers’ huge 10-6 win they needed to “protect where you come from”.

– with Martin Gabor

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Categories
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Penrith Panthers Greg Alexander blasts ‘ludicrous’ twist in Melbourne Storm wrestling claim, NRL, what they said

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.”

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Categories
Sports

Penrith Panthers arrogance, Storm, Matt Tripp, Ivan Cleary, Jarome Luai, Nathan Cleary, Greg Alexander

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.”

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