Penrith fans rally behind Panthers despite ongoing sex tape scandal
Despite being embroiled in rugby league's ongoing sex tapes scandal, with utility Tyrone May indefinitely suspended, Penrith fans are rallying behind their club as Panthers Stadium looks like a sell-out on Sunday.
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Penrith boss Phil Gould is ready to erect the full house sign at Panthers Stadium this Sunday as fans rally in numbers behind his embattled club.
Despite being embroiled in rugby league's ongoing sex tapes scandal — which includes livewire utility Tyrone May being charged and suspended indefinitely — less than 2000 tickets remain unsold for the Panthers season opener against arch rivals Parramatta.
The Daily Telegraph also understands not a single membership has been cancelled in the wake of a drama which, only last week, saw Kangaroo great Laurie Daley saying he wouldn't want his children anywhere near the club.
Yet when quizzed on now readying for a round one sell out, club great Royce Simmons said Panthers fans had a long history of rallying around the players in times of need.
"Penrith people value effort," Simmons said.
"Even way back when I was playing, we went through some tough times — struggled for wins, earned a couple of wooden spoons — but if the fans saw you having a crack, both individually and as a team, they respected that and showed up at games.
"It was the same whenever we had a fundraiser.
"We had players who fell on hard times, players who needed money for an operation, or they'd passed away and we were raising money for their children … and you would see supporters giving up the last $50 they had.
"I could tell you dozens of stories like that. It's just what the community is like out here.
"So while we've gone through a couple of things recently, I believe our supporters realise what a great group of fellas we have at this club.
"I won't mention names, but there are Penrith players who regularly spend time working with the homeless in our area. And not because they've been asked by the club or anyone else, but because it's something they do.
"And people around here know that.
"They understand how hard these boys train too, what they put in — and they appreciate that effort."
Working out of the Penrith Panthers Academy, Simmons said he had been impressed with the players pre-season under new coach Ivan Cleary, particularly the ongoing development of halfback Nathan Cleary, fullback Dylan Edwards and hookers Sione Katoa and Wayde Egan.
"I really see the younger players here coming into their best football now," Simmons said. "Particularly around our spine.
"The other thing I love is how hard they train. How consistent they are with their efforts at practice.
"And you'd like to think the result of that will be a premiership.
"It might be this year, it might be in the next three years … but I really like the look of those players we have coming through."
Originally published as Penrith fans rally behind Panthers despite ongoing sex tape scandal
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