‘I will get a bit emotional’: End of an era as local juniors prepare for Panthers farewell

They made their NRL debuts together four years ago, but Spencer Leniu and Stephen Crichton are now preparing for their final home game in Penrith.

Spencer Leniu and Stephen Crichton are preparing for their final home game at the Panthers. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Spencer Leniu and some of his Penrith teammates go to the middle of BlueBet Stadium after every home game and spend a few moments in a prayer circle before they celebrate with Panthers fans after what’s usually another big win.

But this week’s game is going to hit a little bit closer to home for the powerhouse prop who will play his final game at the venue as a Panther before he links up with the Roosters in 2024.

Penrith’s qualifying final against the Warriors on Saturday will also be local junior Stephen Crichton’s last game at home before he heads to Belmore to join the Bulldogs next year.

It’ll be an emotional farewell for the Samoan World Cup heroes who made their NRL debuts together in a 2019 win over the Sharks, with Crichton going on to score a try in three-straight grand finals.

Jarome Luai, Stephen Crichton, Brian To'o and Spencer Leniu took Samoa to the World Cup final, with the band of brothers set to split up at the end of the year. Picture: Matthew Lewis/Getty Images for RLWC

“After we won the game last week, we went into the middle and did our prayer that we always do,” Leniu said.

“I had a 360 view of how beautiful this stadium is and how beautiful these people are.

“It has sunk in a bit, and maybe I will get a bit emotional after the game this week. I’ll be definitely taking my time to embrace our fans after the game.”

Leniu will celebrate his 23rd birthday the day before the Warriors game, with the energetic forward hoping to forge one more happy memory at the ground he made his NSW Cup and NRL debuts at.

Those games hold a special place in his heart, but his favourite BlueBet Stadium memory was a thrilling win over Melbourne in their first meeting after the 2020 decider.

Leniu will be emotional after Saturday’s game. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

“The game that sticks out to me was our rematch against the Storm when we won on the buzzer,” he said, remembering a famous tackle by Viliame Kikau after the siren that denied Melbourne victory.

“We prepared a lot for that game, and obviously losing to them the year before in the grand final gave us a lot to work with which we used as motivation for our matches against them.”

The Minchinbury Jets junior is a fiery character on the field, but he hasn’t picked out which Penrith player he’ll go after when he joins the Roosters next year.

He wouldn’t mind going toe-to-toe with great mate Sunia Turuva, although he says the rookie winger might be injured next season if he continues to throw himself around in wild try celebrations.

Sunia Turuva has almost injured himself a number of times celebrating tries this year. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

“Sometimes I hope that he does land on his head because he’s such a pest,” he laughed.

“He’s one of those players you love to have in your team because he’s a ball of energy. I carpool with him to training and he gets on my nerves sometimes, so maybe he does need to fall on his neck to cool down.

“I love that kid, but he’s got way too much chat in the car.

“I don’t think I can go after Tito (Turuva) because he’s hiding on the wing. We’ll cross that bridge when we get there, but for now I’m just going to embrace my time with the boys.”

Leniu has spoken with Roosters coach Trent Robinson about the impending move, but those conversations will be put on hold as the clubs prepare for their respective premiership campaigns.

“Robbo has called me a few times, but we haven’t spoken about anything too crazy,” he said.

“They’ve still got their season to worry about, and I’m not part of their team until next year, so I’m not expecting any more calls for a while.”

Leniu and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves will be teammates next year after their scuffle earlier this season. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

Those conversations haven’t been about fiery Roosters prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, who has been suspended for the rest of the year and got involved in a skirmish with Leniu earlier in the season when he threw a water bottle at him.

Fans won’t get to see the big bucks lock horns, but Leniu will get to take on Warriors prop Addin Fonua-Blake on Saturday, with the veteran in career-best form.

“He’s done some remarkable things this year,” Leniu said.

“He’s been one of the top form front-rowers of the year. Hopefully, Moses and Fish (James Fisher-Harris) get to take care of him more than I do.

“They’ll take care of each other and then hopefully he’s off when I come on so I don’t have to worry about him.”