Grand Final act shows who Panthers really are amid celebration criticism

The Penrith Panthers have been dragged over the coals for their celebrations but an act before the match showed who they really are.

The Panthers are good blokes. Photo: Channel 9 and Getty Images

The Penrith Panthers may have been criticised for their post-grand final celebrations but an unsung moment before the match has revealed the club’s true character.

The Panthers made history this season by claiming the top four grades — first grade, reserve grade, Jersey Flegg and SG Ball — for the first time in rugby league history.

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But despite being the dominant force all season in the NRL, the Panthers chose to highlight fan Marco Quintao before the match as he ran the side onto the field.

Quintao has a duplication of his sixth chromosome and was told he would never be able to walk or talk but coach Ivan Cleary ensured he ran the side onto the field.

“It’s given him sunshine in his life again,” his mum Cilene on said on Nine News.

“Ivan saw a reason for inclusion and that was (a) demonstration of inclusion at its best.”

Marco also said “Cleary is my hero” when asked what he thought of the Panthers coach.

Cleary quipped: “It was probably Nathan he was talking about.

“Look, I don’t know how to describe my feelings to that. Just an amazing thing.”

Marco led the Panthers onto the field. Photo: Channel 9

He added he and the players loved having Marco around.

“I think he was a bit depressed. He wasn’t doing anything (and) had lost a bit of purpose,” Cleary said.

“One, we love hanging out with him, and two, just to see him get that purpose back (was great).

“His family was so happy. It doesn’t get much better.”

But moments like these have been overshadowed by the criticism of his players after the win as the celebrations went off.

After winning the 2021 premiership in Brisbane as a result of Covid precautions, the Panthers were back in Sydney for 2022 and the celebrations were considerably looser.

The celebrations started in the sheds and then spread onto social media as Jarome Luai was slammed for sharing an offensive racial slur on Instagram alongside teammate Jaeman Salmon, captioning the post: “My n****.”

Luai also posed alongside the coveted Provan-Summons Trophy with the caption “daddy loves you” — a jab at the Eels following his earlier comments directed at Parramatta and their western Sydney rivalry.

On Monday as the side celebrated with fans, Penrith forward James Fisher-Harris told the crowd Parramatta were Penrith’s “sons”.

He also described the current team as the “greatest Penrith team ever”.

The boys were a bit worse for wear. Photo by Jenny Evans/Getty Images

The crowd responded with repeated chants of, “We hate Parra”. A video posted on social media showed several Panthers players joining in on the chant.

Cleary said the Panthers were not just different on the field but off it.

“Part of it’s just because we’re winning,” Cleary said of the outrage.

“Our guys probably do things a little differently sometimes. They’re letting their hair down a little bit.

“I think all of us can understand that if you maybe drink a little too much sometimes you might say some things that you might like back … I’m not too worried about that.

“But I also get that it may not be everyone’s cup of tea. You can’t please everybody.”

Similarly, Panthers legend Greg Alexander said he wasn’t offended by what Fisher-Harris said.

“No not at all,” Alexander said on Fox Sports’ The Back Page.

“If you take it in the context, that was James Fisher-Harris who said that and you don’t hear boo from James all year.

“James is the silent assassin and after a night out, early morning, no sleep.

“James said with respect to those that have come before us, we’re the greatest Panthers ever team and you can’t argue that.”

The drinks were flowing in the sheds. Picture: NRL Photos

Alexander also said the “daddy” and “sons” talk would just intensify the rivalry.

“In context of what James said, ‘Parra are our sons’ and Jarome Luai had made a comment pre grand final (call us daddy),” Alexander said.

“We were the little brother for so long, Parramatta, Penrith, geographical neighbours.

“Parramatta the legends of the 80s and we were still striving to make out mark in the game so we were always regarded as the little brother.

“Jarome came out pre grand final and said “you can call us daddy” and they James Fisher Harris said “Parra are our sons”.

“Now seriously if anyone wants to take offence to that, the PC has gone mad.”

It comes a day after fellow club legend Mark Geyer said he had no problems with what was said either and suggested it was tall-poppy syndrome.

“You can forgive a couple of players if they’ve said something that they would maybe take back ordinarily,” Geyer said.

“I’m not holding any grudges against anything they say and I know that there is some stuff said about them this morning – that’s natural.

“With victory, you’re going to have people saying disparaging things about this team. Whatever they say, they can’t take the competition back from them.”

Originally published as Grand Final act shows who Panthers really are amid celebration criticism