Panthers

THREE things were asked of the Panthers players during a bonding session in Kiama last week.

PENRITH general manager Phil Gould entered NSW Origin camp in Coogee last Thursday to hold peace talks with Panthers star Luke Lewis.

LUKE Lewis calls them his three angels. The family members who have helped shape the NSW star into one of rugby league’s most respected role models.

BLUES debutant Tim Grant has revealed an unlikely inspiration as he faces the biggest match of his career – Queensland front-rower Petero Civoniceva.

AT the halfway point of the year, we take a look back at the biggest stories of the 2012 season so far.

ONE of the best and most astute buys in the NRL this year was made by a coach who lost his job before the player could help save it.

WHEN Blues players were spotted at a Coogee sushi train this week, punters wondered what had happened to rugby league’s hard men.

PENRITH have signed Melbourne forward Sika Manu to a three-year deal as the Panthers continue to bolster their NRL stocks for next season.

CHECK out our live coverage of the round 14 NRL teams.

FOR NSW fans, Tim Grant’s Origin selection was a surprise. For no less than half a dozen doctors and physiotherapists, it’s a medical marvel.

PANTHER Tim Grant has been named in the NSW side for State of Origin II and in doing so has pushed captain Paul Gallen to lock.

IN the past month Ivan Cleary has once again proven what a superb coach he is.

DESPITE complaining to the NRL of salary cap pressures, the Panthers have announced the signing of Manly utility Dean Whare.

A 90-MINUTE heart-to-heart with Penrith coach Ivan Cleary has failed to convince dethroned skipper Luke Lewis he should reassume the captaincy.

FORMER NRL player Adrian Purtell is in an English hospital after having what his mother described as a heart attack.

EIGHT NRL clubs have secretly started negotiations to lure Michael Jennings away from Penrith, but Phil Gould says the flying centre will stay.