NRL grand final 2022: Panthers great Greg Alexander responds to ‘disrespectful’ comments
As Panthers players continue to cop criticism for their post-grand final antics and comments, a Penrith legend has weighed in.
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Penrith premiership-winning captain Greg Alexander has declared the current group of Panthers as the club’s greatest team.
Prop James Fisher-Harris has drawn criticism for labelling his team the best of all time after they won back-to-back premierships.
Fisher-Harris took to centre stage at Penrith’s fan day on Monday and said; “everyone gone before us – much respect – but we are the greatest Panthers team ever”.
That has drawn the ire of some pundits. But not from Alexander who captained Penrith’s first premiership-winning team in 1991.
He is also on the club’s board and took no offence to Fisher-Harris’s comments.
When asked if the current Panthers were the greatest team ever Alexander replied: “Yes, I do”. “The fact they’ve made three grand finals and they’ve done something no other Penrith side has done in winning back to back grand finals,” he said on his SEN breakfast show.
“I would say yes they are. I don’t find anything disrespectful about what James Fisher-Harris said.
“It’s fine by me. That is not being arrogant (from Fisher-Harris). If I rang a former Penrith player that played in grand finals and said ‘did you hear what James Fisher-Harris said?’.
“If someone got offended by that I’d be stunned.
“No Penrith team has achieved what they’ve done. I don’t think they will be walking down the streets saying they are the greatest team ever.
“But James Fisher-Harris after 30 beers and no sleep has every right to say that.”
PARRAMATTA ‘BELITTLED’ BY PENRITH’S INSULTS
By Dean Ritchie
Parramatta legends have claimed their club was “belittled” by Panthers players in post grand final insults about who is now the dominant club in Sydney’s west.
Penrith stars James Fisher-Harris and Jarome Luai took aim at their grand final opponents by claiming their club would never again be known as Parramatta’s “little brothers.”
Still in his grand final winning playing kit, Fisher-Harris delivered one final taunt at Parramatta during grand final celebrations at BlueBet Stadium on Sunday.
In front of 3000 Panthers fans, Fisher-Harris goaded the Eels proclaiming the western Sydney powerhouse club was now their “son”.
“To all the fans, thank you so much … all love. I just want to say Parra are our sons,” Fisher-Harris said.
“Right here right now that’s just a fact.”
'We hate Parra!'
— Telegraph Sport (@telegraph_sport) October 3, 2022
Story: https://t.co/VCBJwBCbGv@FatimaKdouh_pic.twitter.com/mZkFNgOvG2
It prompted fans to start chanting “we hate Parra” and some players even joined in.
“(To) everyone that has gone before us, much respect, but as I said on (Sunday) night, we are the Penrith greatest team ever,” Fisher-Harris continued.
Former Parramatta 1986 grand final heroes hit back on Monday.
“Penrith won but there was no reason for them to belittle Parramatta,” said forward Peter Wynn. “I think Fisher-Harris should have shown more respect towards the Parramatta blokes. The Eels got there through a lot of hard work and dedication.
“You always have to respect your opponents. Penrith must have had a lot of satisfaction winning on Sunday night but you must always respect your opponent because you’re competing at the highest level.
“Parramatta busted their backsides and did the best they could.”
Parramatta’s hooker from the 1986 grand final, Michael Moseley added:
“Yeah, at the moment, they are King of the Castle now but, don’t forget, we were King of the Castle in the 1980s.
“The landscape can change so quickly. In the blink of an eyelid, you can be bottom dwellers.
“At the end of the day, Penrith deserve their praise.
“It’s a bit of harmless fun, a bit of arrogance but success brings out arrogance so good luck to them.
“They are reaping the rewards from all their hard work and they can say what they like but at the end of the day Parramatta has been a very successful club.”
The ‘son’ sledge was borne out of a jib that Luai aimed at the Eels in the build up to the decider.
When asked if the Panthers were still Parramatta’s ‘little brother’, Luai responded: “You can call us daddy.”
During celebrations immediately after the victory, Luai posed with a cigar while sitting next to the premiership trophy. The post was accompanied with the cheeky caption: “Daddy loves you.”
While the message was intended for the Eels, the Panthers five-eighth did welcome a newborn daughter, Halo, only seven days ago.
“She didn’t come to the game, she stayed home … it wasn’t up to me. It was up to my missus, but it’s understandable, she was one week old,” Luai told The Daily Telegraph.
“My missus’ parents stayed home to look after her. But my other two babies were here, they wouldn’t miss it. I always look up to the stands, looking for them, whenever I need strength out there.”
KOROISAU’S CHEEKY DIG AT NEW CLUB
It was meant in jest, but Api Koroisau could not help but let out a little laugh when he proclaimed that his premiership ring collection would grow at the Wests Tigers.
After helping Penrith to back-to-back titles, Koroisau will bid farewell to the foot of the mountains to join wooden spooners, the Tigers, next season.
While Penrith are now a rugby league juggernaut, the Tigers are in the midst of a desperate rebuild and title success does not appear imminent.
Speaking at grand final celebrations at Bluebet Stadium on Monday Koroisau told the crowd the reality of joining the Tigers is yet to sink in.
“To go out on a high like that is pretty incredible … and we’ll probably do the same thing at the Tigers,” Koroisau laughed.
“This place has been incredible in the last three years I have been here. This place has turned into a family for me.
“It will probably kick in when I’m at home and by myself.”
His response prompted a cheer from Penrith faithful urging the NSW Blues hooker to ‘backflip’ on the impending move to the Tigers.
Koroisau was also spotted wearing his three grand final rings, he also won a title at South Sydney in 2014, after Sunday night’s victory against Parramatta.
In a video, an unnamed Penrith official can be heard teasing Koroisau: “Last ones, you don’t get that at the Tigers.”
There had been ongoing speculation about a backflip from the joint venture’s other marquee recruit, Isaiah Papali’i, who was rumoured to have had a change of heart about joining the club.
If I was Wests Tigers I would be pissed off about this comment from Apisai Koroisau #NRLGF#NRLPanthersEels#NRLpic.twitter.com/9ghCbCUGFG
— ðƒð²ð¥ðšð§ ðŒðšððð¡ðžð°ð¬ (@DylanMatthews91) October 3, 2022
But in the losing sheds on Sunday night, the Parramatta backrower confirmed he would report to preseason training at Concord in November.
“I feel like he was just playing everyone, playing a game with the media. I can’t wait to see him over the summer,” Koroisau told The Daily Telegraph.
In Koroisau’s departure, the Panthers not only lose and experienced campaigner but one of the competition’s best hookers over the last three season.
But coach Ivan Cleary has options in youngsters Mitch Kenny and Soni Luke as Koroisau’s replacement in the spine.
Kenny appears to be ahead in the race to the No.9 jumper after the coach opted to start the utility in the back end of the season and in the finals series.
Cleary praised Kenny’s tenacity in the opening exchanges Sunday night’s grand final as ‘animal’ like.
Koroisau not only echoed the coach’s sentiments but endorsed Kenny as Penrith’s future dummy half.
“I call him kamikaze, he knows his role when he gets out there. He might give a few pounds, to other players, but he has all the heart in the world. He goes out there and gives it his all. One hundred per cent, the number nine jersey is safe with him,” Koroisau said.
DEPARTING PANTHER A NO-SHOW
Belmore bound backrower Viliame Kikau was nowhere to be seen at Bluebet Stadium on Monday morning.
A Penrith official told The Daily Telegraph that the forward “had slept in” and missed the short bus ride from the leagues club to the stadium.
Kikau was one of Penrith’s best on ground, leading celebrations into the early hours of the morning before running out of steam.
As well as his two premiership rings, Nathan Cleary took his bling game to the next level.
The halfback was spotted wearing what appeared to be a diamond encrusted chain with the No. 7 hanging from it.
The biggest cheer from the crowd was reserved for Clive Churchill medallist Dylan Edwards.
The fullback, who was superb on Sunday night, produced an iconic grand final moment with a brilliant cover tackle that evoked memories of Scott Sattler’s famous tackle on Sydney Roosters’ Todd Byrne in their 2003 NRL grand final.
“Ciro (Cameron Ciraldo) puts us in positions that we are going to be in the game and that was just one of them and we’ve been doing it for almost 12 months now,” a modest Edwards told the crowd.
“I’m fortunate to play alongside a bunch of champions, that I get to go to work with each day and run out along side.”
The victorious Panthers outfit had spent the Sunday night, and morning, partying at the league’s club before presenting the Provan Summons trophy to fans.
When asked how much longer the party would go on, coach Ivan Cleary responded: “As long as it wants too.”
Cleary’s praised the young side’s hunger and drive to deliver the club an elusive back-to-back premiership.
“At the start of the year the questions were could we be hungry enough, was our attitude going to be good enough to try and win another premiership,” Cleary said.
“Honestly, since the day we started pre-season all I have seen is hunger … players trying to get better and improve, which we have done.
“It’s been our best performance of the season, on the biggest day, on the biggest stage. I think that says a little bit about how they guys prepare.
“They are so professional and it’s not just about the individuals, it’s about how they fit together and (on Sunday) night we fit together like a glove.”
PANTHERS GONE WILD: UFC STARS, SHOEYS AND NO SLEEP
Victory in the grand final marked the end of a prolonged booze ban for many and Panthers players did not hold back. There was merciless mocking of those leaving the club and a UFC champ.
Premiership shoeys with Bam Bam 👟🻠pic.twitter.com/hbY2aUGsPy
— Telegraph Sport (@telegraph_sport) October 2, 2022
After last year’s grand final triumph in Brisbane, with Sydney in lockdown, Panthers players finally got to celebrate with their family and friends.
Bottles of champagne and protective goggles were waiting in the rooms for the victorious players.
Trophy in hand as well as cigar, Jarome Luai had a boombox at the ready as the party got started.
The shed walls were adorned with Top Gun posters - the hit movie believed to have been a season feature.
Shortly before midnight, players went back out on to the field for a group photo.
Fast forward and at 7:45am Monday morning a shirtless Nathan Cleary emerged from the Penrith Leagues Club to speak with the waiting media.
“I’m going home for an hour’s sleep,” he said ahead of the club’s fan day.
“Looking forward to it. That’s why I’m going home for an hour’s sleep. I will enjoy it more.
“I’m blessed to be part of the group.
“I think it’s cool Para and Penrith were able to present in a grand final, Western Sydney, you know, through and through. It’s never happened before. They’re both footy crazy. It’s pretty cool.
“This is what you work hard for. At the start of the year you have the goal to try to get to this stage just to compete for the final and you know we did that this year.
“We were lucky enough to win it. We’ve done it the last three years. We lost one, won two. I know... I definitely know what I prefer more.
“I just want to say massive thank you to the fans. Couldn’t do it without you guys. Thank you for all the support.”
A year after getting into trouble for damaging the trophy, Cleary was asked if there had been any incidents this year.
“Not this time. I don’t want the fines,” he added.
Outgoing star Apisai Koroisau, pictured on Instagram with three rings on his hand, was on the receiving end of some brutal sledging from his teammates who said: “You don’t win them at the Tigers”.
UFC star Bam Bam Tuivasa was recorded doing a shoey with the team in the rooms after the 28-12 drubbing of the Eels.
Five-eighth Jarome Luai posed with a cigar while sitting next to the premiership trophy.
Having not been to bed since the siren sounded, Panthers Chairman Matt Cameron told morning TV on Monday that the playing group was still celebrating.
“The boys come back last night had a function,” he told Channel 9. “They’re still upstairs somewhere. We’re across the road at the stadium. It’s going to be a good day.
"Don't get those at the Tigers" 😠pic.twitter.com/CmHGfaBOd8
— Telegraph Sport (@telegraph_sport) October 2, 2022
Obviously in 2020 we did it with reduced capacities at the ground and at the leagues club in 2021 they were in Brisbane.
“The community didn’t get to celebrate it the way they wanted to. Last night was a great opportunity. You have heard Ivan speak before we pride ourselves on the club being a source of community pride. I think we were able to tick that box last night.”
The night was not without a cheeky swipe at the Eels - in particular half back Mitchell Moses.
It’s one of the most used songs at sporting events worldwide, but the Panthers’ rendition of the Neil Diamond classic Sweet Caroline in the dressing room on Sunday night would have stung the Eels.
The song is Moses’ post-try celebration music but wasn’t able to be played during the Eels’ 28-12 loss to the Panthers.
The song is Parramatta halfback Mitchell Moses’ post-try celebration music but wasn’t able to be played during the Eels’ 28-12 loss to the Panthers.
Penrith centre Stephen Crichton recorded the Panthers singing it loudly in the bowels of Accor Stadium.
FAN DAY GETS UNDERWAY
Decked out in black of Penrith, thousands of Panthers fans have started arriving at Bluebet Stadium to celebrate last night’s grand final win against Parramatta.
Supporters starting pouring into stadium at around 8.30am on Monday morning ready to honour their back-to-back heroes.
The loyal supporters were treated to a replay of the victory on the big screen while waiting for the players to present the Provan Summons trophy.
Already waiting for supports was a show of the club’s dominance across al grade with the SG Ball, Jersey Flagg, NSW Cup and state championship display.
It’s expected captains Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo will add the NRL trophy to the enviable collection.
HAYNE’S FALSE HOPE CAUSES SOCIAL MEDIA STIR
By Brent Read
Amid the carnage of a huge loss, there was a hint of optimism from an unlikely Parramatta source during Sunday’s NRL grand final.
Jarryd Hayne has been in the headlines again this week as Parramatta prepared to chase a drought-breaking premiership at Accor Stadium.
The hero of the club’s 2009 grand final charge spent the lead-up to Sunday night’s decider spruiking his former club’s hopes of winning their first title in 36 years.
He wasn’t alone. Sydney’s west – at least the blue and gold side of it – was awash with optimism and hope in the lead-up to Sunday night.
They descended on Accor Stadium en masse hoping to witness something special. A reminder of their halcyon years.
They, like Hayne, finished up disappointed. In the eyes of most, the Eels hopes were dead and buried by halftime as they were torn to shreds by the most dominant team in recent history.
Still, Hayne found a sliver of hope. He took to social media to suggest Penrith – leading 18-0 at halftime – would protect their lead in the second half and Parramatta would mount a resurgence.
He signed it off by writing “#comebackZN”, apparently short for comeback season. Credit to Hayne for sticking solid but his hopes proved forlorn.
There was no comeback season.
Not against this Penrith side.
The Eels were put to the sword and even Hayne at his peak – circa 2009 – would have struggled to make an impression against this lot.
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