Saint, Sinner, Shoosh: Penrith Panthers lose another piece of NRL dynasty with CEO Brian Fletcher to step down

A key figure in the Panthers’ dynasty is set to walk away, the real reason behind Tim Sheens’ no-show at the Tigers’ 2005 reunion, the latest on Lewis Dodd, and more in Saint, Sinner, Shoosh.

The man who played an integral role in building the Penrith Panthers into the greatest NRL club of the modern era is stepping down.

Chief executive Brian Fletcher informed staff on Saturday of his decision to retire after 15 years as a director and CEO of the club that won four straight premierships under his watch.

Fletcher will step aside next year as the Panthers prepare to open their new $310 million stadium, a venue that’s very much a consequence of Fletcher’s government lobbying over a number of years.

He has been in charge of the NRL side and the Panthers Leagues club network in Penrith, Port Macquarie, Bathurst, North Richmond and Glenbrook – all-up $300 million worth of assets.

What Ivan and Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo and the Panthers NRL side have achieved on the field comes from the stability, strategic decision making and strong leadership that Fletcher provided off it.

Panthers CEO Brian Fletcher has been a critical piece in the club’s dynasty that has netted four straight NRL premierships. Picture: Max Mason-Hubers

Legendary coach Jack Gibson once famously said: “winning starts in the front office.”

Fletcher also played a pivotal role in building the NRL’s first high-performance academy in 2016 that has produced many of the champions who have worn the jersey in five straight grand finals.

The ex-boss of Hawkesbury racetrack, it was Fletcher who convinced Racing NSW chief executive Peter V’landys to join the independent commission.

“Fletch was the instigator, no doubt about that,” V’landys said.

“We knew each other from racing and he was the first one to ask me to do it. The thing I admire about Brian is that he always calls a spade a spade. He’ll never die of curiosity.

“He’s always been a warrior for his employer and his fans.

“He’ll go the extra yard where a lot of people won’t.”

Brian Fletcher has been the CEO during Penrith’s run of dominance. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Fletcher was previously chairman of the Panthers and has been widely regarded as one of the game’s most astute administrators.

“Our focus from a football department point of view has always been about building good young men and champion footballers – and that success would then follow,” he said.

“I’ve enjoyed being a small part in the four successful premierships. There have been a lot of great people in that success.”

At 71 he says the time is right to walk away.

“You often see people in jobs like mine where you’re getting well paid that can stay around too long,” Fletcher said.

“I think it’s a perfect time to retire. All the clubs are trading well. We’ve finished building the Pullman Hotel and the 1000-seat convention centre.

“We have some very talented young people in the organisation. They deserve a crack at it now.”

In John Hunter children’s hospital – Ava Laura and Lola Clark. Credit: Supplied.

SAINT

Canberra Raiders prop Josh Papalii will write the name of Ray Hadley’s granddaughter Lola on his wrist tape when he runs out for his record-breaking 319th NRL game in the national capital this afternoon. Lola’s story has inspired the humble giant to recognise a youngster who is doing it tough. Lola, 3, is fighting leukaemia and when coach Ricky Stuart told Big Papa of Lola’s battle, the veteran front-rower texted the coach this message:

“Please send Ray’s family my blessings and please let them know she’ll be on my wrist and in our family prayers mate!!! Not a hassle at all Stick. Trust me, it’s what I do to remind me my life is a lot easier than others out there especially young kids that I would love to help mate! It’s a blessing for me. Love ya Stick.” What a legend.

SINNER

And we thought NRL coaching was a tough business … just two weeks after he delivered Spurs their first silverware in 17 years with victory over Manchester United in the prestigious Europa League final, Aussie manager Ange Postecoglou has been punted by Tottenham in a decision that has sparked outrage and disbelief in the English Premier League.

Tough blow: Tottenham Hotspur sacked manager Ange Postecoglou on June 6, just two weeks after the Australian won the Europa League to end the club's 17-year trophy drought. Picture: Glyn KIRK / AFP

SHOOSH

Brad Donald either resigned or was axed – depending on who you listen to — as Jillaroos coach earlier this year after a player revolt. He has since left the NRL altogether. Donald was in a senior role as general manager of pathways before recently handing in his resignation.

SHOOSH

We love how Canterbury Bulldogs are looking after battling fans with a $10 ticket offer for the match against Parramatta. They did the same for the Easter Monday clash with the Rabbitohs to get a crowd of 65,000 to Accor Stadium. There is however a downside. The club’s most loyal fans — members and season ticket holders — were asked to pay full freight and a lot more than $10 per game when they purchased their seats well in advance. We’ve heard some members are not happy about it.

SPOTTED

Cronulla Sharks chief executive Dino Mezzatesta and Canterbury Bulldogs boss Phil Gould having coffee at Bianchini’s at Elouera Beach on Thursday. And in breaking news, Gus even shouted!

SPOTTED

Esteemed colleague Dean Bulldog Ritchie leaving his local Forestville bakery on Saturday arvo with a meat pie, a chocolate eclair … and a can a Fanta to wash it all down.

Coogee blitz: Joey Manu playing for Toyota Verblitz in Japan rugby. Picture: Supplied

SPOTTED

Ex-Rooster and Kiwi international Joey Manu — who’s been playing rugby union for Toyota Verblitz in Japan — sharpening his speed with a session under renowned sprint trainer Roger Fabri at Coogee Oval.

HEY LOZZA, MAY I INTRODUCE MYSELF

Two weeks ago I gave Laurie Daley’s phone number out to Wests Tigers front-rower Terrell May and suggested he call the NSW State of Origin coach.

And he did.

Let’s chat: Terrell May caught up with Blues coach Laurie Daley in Concord this week. Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

As a result the pair caught up for a coffee and a chat at Concord last week.

Daley would not go into detail about their conversation.

“I’ve had a lot of meetings with a lot of players around Origin but I prefer to keep those conversations private,” Daley said.

“It was a good chat.”

May was left out of the Blues’ extended squad for Origin I behind middle forwards Payne Haas, Mitch Barnett, Max King, Spencer Leniu and Stefano Utoikamanu.

Barnett is now gone for the series and May will be under consideration with South Sydney prop Keaon Koloamatangi as the replacement for game two in Perth.

At least Daley has met May now.

Personally I found him a decent young man who would have no issues fitting into the Blues.

The Rabbitohs have stood by the signing of Lewis Dodd. Picture: NRL Photos

RABBITOHS STAND BY UK HALFBACK

English halfback Lewis Dodd is on too much money to be playing NSW Cup at the Rabbitohs.

But old supercoach Wayne Bennett, at this stage, is standing by the former St Helens star, who is earning around $650,000 a season.

Dodd’s manager Peter Menicou met with the Rabbitohs last week and raised the subject.

“For the moment Souths are ok,” said Menicou.

“If they do get to a position where they’d want us to look around, they said they’d let us know. But that’s not the case at the moment.

“He’s had a lot of injuries and is overdue for a bit of a break.

“He’ll be trying his hardest. He wants to play NRL and he’ll be giving it his best shot.”

I do like Souths’ attitude. So many other clubs are quick to dispatch underperforming players.

Dodd is under contract at the Rabbitohs for another three years. The 23-year-old has played only three NRL games.

BENJI FEUD BEHIND NO-SHOW

It was reported in this column last week how the Wests Tigers’ 2005 premiership-winning coach Tim Sheens boycotted the team’s 20-year reunion, much to the disappointment of the players.

We all thought Sheens would be there because the two men who sacked him – former chairman Lee Hagipantelis and former CEO Justin Pascoe – are no longer at the Wests Tigers.

However, according to good sources, Sheens no longer gets on with Benji Marshall and didn’t want to be there with his former assistant and now head coach.

BIG BREKKY

Catch you at 9.40am on the Weekend Big Sports Breakfast with Ray Thomas and Dean Bulldog Ritchie to discuss all things rugby league.

100% FOOTY SHOW IN PROMO FAUX PAS

In an embarrassing moment for Channel 9’s 100% Footy show, the network last week advertised an appearance of Broncos chief executive Dave Donaghy on Monday night.

The social media promo was taken down a couple of hours later when Donaghy said he would not be appearing. We phoned Donaghy to find out why. “It was a miscommunication,” he said.

Game time: Andrew Voss busy doing voiceovers for Rugby League Live. Picture: Supplied

VOSSY MAKES TOUGHEST CALL

If footy caller Andrew Voss has been sounding a little bit croaky on SEN breakfast or on his Fox Sports commentary duties, we can explain why.

Vossy has been doing the all voiceovers in recent weeks for the next edition of Rugby League Live – the popular multi-platform video game to be released later this year.

The new game will feature NRL teams, NSW Cup, QLD Cup, NRLW, UK Super League and others in lower divisions.

It means Voss has had to call the names of more than 2100 players, some of them with the more difficult to Polynesian pronunciations.

He’s been working in a studio for six hours each day on commentary lines for players, venues, attacking plays, tackles and goal kicks.

That’s a lot of menace: Randy, 15, Michael, and Jack, 18, Ennis. Picture: Supplied

ENNIS BOYS LIVING THE DREAM

The teenage sons of Fox Sports commentator and former NRL star Michael Ennis are enjoying their own rugby league journeys.

Jack Ennis, 18, is a hooker like his old man and has signed a two-year deal with the Canterbury Bulldogs. He was a Cronulla Sharks junior before Bulldogs talent scouts swooped.

Then there’s Randy Ennis, 15, who is a halfback on a three-year deal with the Cronulla Sharks.

The boys’ agent is George Mimis, who also looked after their dad during his 273-game career at the Sharks, Bulldogs, Broncos, Dragons and Knights.

Ennis is so proud of his two youngsters.

“Simone (his wife) and I are really proud to be watching the boys start their own journeys,” Ennis said.

“Rugby league and both the Sharks and Bulldogs have been a huge part of our family and lives. We’re really looking forward to watch both boys live out their dreams.”

WOMEN’S ORIGIN TO SHAKE THINGS UP

NRLW stars have missed out on a trip to Las Vegas next year – but they could still be heading overseas in 2026.

There’s every chance the NRL will take a women’s State of Origin game to Christchurch in New Zealand to play at the new 30,000-seatfully-roofed $683 million stadium that is soon to open.

The NRL is now seeking interest from New Zealand tourism to back the event.

It would be the first time an Origin game, men or women, has been played outside of Australia other than the exhibition match in Los Angeles in 1987.

Warriors’ chief executive Cameron George is a huge supporter of the initiative.

“It would mean the world to rugby league in this country,” George said.

“In conjunction with us starting an NRLW team, it’s such a great opportunity to showcase the game to every young girl in New Zealand.

“To have the elite women playing Origin here would inspire the whole country to connect with rugby league.”

Mana from heaven: Mana Toia, brother of Roosters star Robert, has also joined the club. Credit: Supplied.

ANOTHER TOIA JOINS CHOOKS

Sydney Roosters have signed a third brother of Maroons State of Origin star Robert Toia.

Toia’s 19-year-old brother Loka, a middle forward, is already in the Roosters’ academy.

Now the Chooks have signed his 15-year-old brother Mana, a halfback at Nudgee College, the rugby union school where Robert Toia started.

The three brothers are all Redcliffe juniors but have chosen the Roosters ahead of the Dolphins.

They have two other brothers playing footy – Andy, 16 and Byron, 11.

“The family jokes that young Byron is going to be the best of all of them,” says player agent Nash Dawson, who looks after the boys.

THE BETTER HALF – with Madison Bartlett, partner of Canberra star Sebastian Kris

What’s the dynamic like having two pro league players sharing at home?

It’s a very busy household, we have to be organised to make it work. Especially with our three puppies. We’re really lucky though especially to not only both be playing a special game, but also at the same club.

Better half: Sebastian Kris and Madison Bartlett enjoying time on the water. Picture: Supplied

Your NRLW season starts a bit after Sebastian’s. What do you do when he is not around?

I have a fulltime job, which keeps me busy down here, and our three puppies are full on and take up a lot of my time. It’s very full on, with the boys training, so we try to prioritise and make time to spend with each other as well.

What about the off season? Do you train together?

Yeah we do actually. Especially when we go back home to New Zealand. If he has running sessions I definitely will jump in with him. It’s very hard, I must say, but it’s good fun to see what things they do as well and the kind of drills they do.

When you get time away from footy, what are the things you enjoy doing?

It’s a little bit hard sometimes, because often he doesn’t like watching footy, but I love it so that’s pretty challenging. We just do whatever we can, like go out for dinner, take the dogs for a walk, or even something simple as cooking a meal together or watching a show.

If Seb isn’t a massive footy watcher, how was it the two of you met?

We actually met at the World Cup in England. He saw my photo on the Kiwi Ferns post of the travelling team, and went through each player and tried to match the photo with the profile.

And was the first date in England?

It actually was. He was quite persistent and then we ended up going on a coffee date which was cute and quite fun.

Green machine: Madison Bartlett takes the ball while in action for Canberra. Picture: NRL Images

How did the teammates react to the two of you ducking out for coffee? Surely there would have been a few jokes going round?

We both had very good roomies. Georgia Hale was my roommate and Scott Sorenson was Seb’s. And neither told a soul. No one knew for a very long time. Probably until after I signed with the Raiders.

Was your relationship with Seb a motivator to sign with the Raiders?

To be honest, not really. I didn’t tell him until I sent him the signed contract. In saying that I’m very lucky I don’t have to do long distance, and get to support him and vice versa — day in, day out.

During the season when games overlap, is it harder to support each other?

I have been lucky enough to travel a few times to watch him play. When I play, if we’re playing back to back, he’ll watch until halftime, then when I finish I will quickly get changed and head out to see him.

Do you ever give each other tips or review games?

Yeah, probably more than he likes. He is pretty good with me, he’s very kind and passive, whereas I’m more like hey, why did you do that, where were you. But it’s all fun.