Panthers legend Mark Geyer’s call to arms because west is best

Sydney rugby league fans need to put aside suburban allegiances - and any snobbery - and unite behind Penrith. And for one key reason.

Why you need to jump on the Panthers bandwagon this Sunday.

Slip on the Uggies, pull out the flanno; Sydney, we’re all Westies for a day.

Fans of rival Sydney NRL clubs have been urged to cast aside suburban allegiances - and any snobbery - and unite behind Penrith against the Mexican threat from down south - Melbourne Storm.

Sydney, it’s time to start riffing about the Riff.

Footy supporters from Sydney’s east, south and north - and from Tweed Heads to Eden - are invited to join the Panthers’ quest for a fourth successive title this Sunday night at Accor Stadium.

As they say, west is best.

“It’s Sydney versus Mexico – let’s go,” roared Panthers legend, Mark Geyer. “In the late 1980s, not that long ago, no-one respected us out here. They used to think we were that team from way out west – all hillbillies.”

Not anymore.

Let’s gather in numbers behind the NRL’s best player, Penrith’s Nathan Cleary, to ensure rugby league’s premiership remains in Sydney.

It might mean, at least temporarily, embracing Penrith’s working class DNA and underdog spirit. Put down the Moet for a VB, park the Merc for a Ford ute.

These Penrith fans are true-blue Aussies who love their footy, and the odd mullet.

Why wouldn’t we cheer for Penrith over Melbourne?

Blue Mountains over grey skies?

Sun-kissed Penrith Beach over St Kilda Beach?

The banks of the beautiful Nepean over the murky Yarra?

Go karting around Eastern Creek as opposed to spluttering around Melbourne on an antiquated tram?

And let’s not mention Melbourne’s overpriced coffee.

Nathan Cleary of the Panthers thanks the crowd after winning the NRL Preliminary Final. Picture: Getty

“People that live in Penrith will tell you they’ve got everything they want and those that don’t live here are trying to get here. There have been big numbers of people moving to Penrith over the past 12 to 24 months,” Geyer said.

“We have more than just a great football team, we have a great community and they will all be behind the Panthers on Sunday night.

“You’ll see at least 50,000 Panthers fans there at Accor Stadium. Fans from other clubs might be bored with Penrith’s success but deep down they really respect - and should applaud - the club and our area.

“It’s time for the whole of Sydney and NSW to get behind Penrith.

“We don’t just win premierships at Penrith, we’ve now got a beach. We’re royalty and, geez, Melbourne can be boring.

“In rugby league, we are experiencing greatness. Another grand final. We haven’t seen anything like this in our lifetime. I can’t believe this is happening in an era where the salary cap is so heavily scrutinised. It’s astonishing.”

This Panthers era is history-making.

Despite being forced to shed multiple players - including Stephen Crichton, Matt Burton, Api Koroisau and Viliame Kikau - due to salary cap pressure, Penrith will play in its fifth successive grand final.

And it will also be the final game in Penrith colours for star players James Fisher-Harris, Jarome Luai and Sunia Turuva, who have signed with rival clubs.

At the moment, there are ten supporters’ buses driving from Penrith to Accor Stadium on Sunday.

Penrith’s success isn’t limited to the footy field.

Sydney developer and former Panthers prop Lou Zivanovic’s company CABE created the $800m East Side Quarter multi-staged residential development, located next to Panthers.

Zivanovic is Penrith to the core and loves his city.

“There has been more development in Penrith over the last five years than there was over the previous 20 years,” said Zivanovic, who played 116 games for the Panthers between 1979 and 1986.

“Council has accepted that Penrith has to grow in line with the population growth of Sydney’s greater west. The charm of Penrith is that, although it’s a city, it’s still like a big country town. It sounds like a cliche but the people of Penrith deserve the best.

“I can’t wait for Sunday’s grand final. I attend most home games and will certainly be at Accor for the big game watching the Panthers smash Melbourne.”

Panthers champion Greg Alexander: “Penrith is a Sydney club and let’s hope all Sydney gets behind the Panthers.”

Amen to that, Brandy.