Panthers tyro becoming a beacon of hope for a small country town

For many years, the Blayney Bears rugby league club gave a small country town reason to be proud.

In the Group 10 competition, playing against teams from far larger regional centres such as Bathurst, Orange and Lithgow, the Bears won five premierships, in 1977, 1990, 1993, 1996 and 1998. They lost another grand final in 1999, when former Balmain, NSW and Kangaroos enforcer Paul Sironen was their star import.

They were halcyon days in Blayney’s three pubs, but over time, the realities of modern life in the central-west township with a population of around 3000 have taken a toll.

The Bears slipped out of the Group 10 competition several years ago and had been playing in the lower-tier Woodbridge Cup. But after five games this season, they were forced to withdraw, citing injuries and a lack of numbers.

They hope to reform next year, and, in the meantime, have taken heart from the progress of their promising youth league team.

All of which is why Penrith’s clash with Newcastle at Bathurst’s Carrington Park on Saturday is something special for towering young forward Liam Henry, who grew up in Blayney and might still be there today, if not for the Panthers signing him as an 18-year-old.

Panthers forward Liam Henry.Credit: Getty Images

Henry’s earliest memories are of being in and around the Bears’ home ground, King George IV Oval.

“We had juniors on the Saturday, and then I used to be the ball boy for the ‘reggies’ and first grade on the Sunday,” he recalled.

“I used to love it. My mum and dad, they’d always help set up the junior league field. I have an older brother that played as well.

“So they were in the canteens and helping out. I had two sisters that played netball, as well, so we were pretty busy on the weekend.”

Hence the 23-year-old relishes Penrith’s annual Bathurst pilgrimage, not only because it’s a chance to catch up with family, but also to inspire the next generation of Blayney Bears.

Penrith’s home away from home, Carrington Park in Bathurst.Credit: Getty Images

“I remember the Panthers used to come out to Bathurst for clinics, and I went to one as a kid and, oh, I absolutely loved it,” he said.

“It kind of got me on board with the Panthers, that’s for sure.

“When you’re running around, and they’re giving you autographs, and signing things, and throwing a football with you, it means the world to you.

“And it’s very special for us to be in a position to do that. If that helps get some young kids pulling on a jersey, I’d love nothing more than that.

“I’d love for Blayney to have a team in every age group up to first grade.”

Henry said playing first grade for the Bears as a 17-year-old, against grown men, prepared him for an NRL debut four years later.

With Penrith missing five stars because of State of Origin commitments, Henry has been named to play as an edge forward on Saturday, rather than his usual front-row role.

‘Like Tuivasa-Sheck’: Parramatta rookie expected to make NRL debut

A young player who has been compared to Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is set to make his NRL debut for Parramatta.

Joash Papalii, who was recruited from the Bulldogs during the off-season, has been named as 18th man for the Eels for Friday’s clash with Manly, but it is anticipated he will move into coach Jason Ryles’ 17 on game day.

Highlights of Parramatta Eels recruit Joash Papalii.

The 20-year-old was a star coming through the junior grades: he was named the SG Ball player of year in 2022, has tasted premiership success with Canterbury’s Jersey Flegg side, represented NSW under-19s last year and was part of the Australian Schoolboys side that beat Fiji.

Former Broncos winger Denan Kemp, who ran the rule over footage of Papalii’s highlight reel during one of his Bloke in a Bar YouTube segments, predicted he had a future in the NRL.

“This guy’s footwork is outstanding … a little bit like RTS [Tuivasa-Sheck], I would say,” Kemp said in the video.

“Joash Papalii – very impressive. That left-foot [step], that is from the gods. The talent is there … You can’t tell me, with footwork like that and a good work ethic, that he won’t be in a position to make his debut at some stage.”

Joash Papalii is set to make his NRL debut for Parramatta.Credit: Nick Moir

That time is now. While Papalii has played everywhere in the back line, the Punchbowl product is expected to spend some time at dummy half against the Sea Eagles.

In an interview in October, Papalii said he grew up a Parramatta supporter who dreamed of making his debut for the club.

“When I was young I used to support Parramatta,” he said. “There was this guy called Jarryd Hayne and everything changed.

“I was a big fan of Jarryd Hayne coming through, just seeing him shine, do the Hayne Plane every time he scores a try, I was a massive fan of him as a kid.”

Papalii is also a capable goalkicker, giving Ryles another option while regular kickers Mitchell Moses and Zac Lomax are on duty with NSW.

Meanwhile, Roosters flyer Dominic Young has been recalled for the Tricolours’ clash with the Sharks on Saturday night after centre Robert Toia was picked in Billy Slater’s Maroons squad earlier this week.

Young was dropped from Trent Robinson’s team after their round seven loss to the Panthers, and has since been given permission to explore other options with 18 months still left on his contract.

With five Roosters missing due to Origin duty, Robinson has named Makahesi Makatoa and Salesi Foketi as the team’s starting props, with Benaiah Ioelu and Taylor Losalu on the bench, while Nat Butcher also makes his return from a knee injury.

Cronulla haven’t lost a single player to Origin, but Craig Fitzgibbon has had to replace Samuel Stonestreet on the wing with Mawene Hiroti. Stonestreet is set to miss the next six to eight weeks after having surgery to repair a high-grade syndesmosis injury he suffered in Cronulla’s victory over the Storm last weekend.

The Panthers are feeling the Origin toll again, and Ivan Cleary has named Brad Schneider in the halves to replace Nathan Cleary, Daine Laurie at fullback to cover Dylan Edwards, and a new-look bench that includes Austin Dias, Luron Patea and Jack Cole.

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