As Penrith aim for a fourth title in a row, the community is alive with Panther fever

Find out how Geoff Hall is the driving force behind Penrith; why some young fans have never known the Panthers as anything but winners; and why Kid Laroi is nervous about the NRL grand final.

He is one of the most important people in the Panthers – you might even call him the driving force of the team – but it is very likely you have never heard his name.

For the last four years, Geoff Hall has been responsible for ensuring Penrith makes it safely to and from the game.

It also means that he has seen the boys in a way few will.

While Mr Hall “keeps to himself” and doesn’t like to ­involve himself in the players’ business, he has a front-seat view of the team’s inner workings.

“I don’t interfere with what they have got to do and their roles,” he said, preferring to support the boys from the sidelines.

Penrith Panthers bus driver Geoff Hall. Picture Thomas Lisson

The boys are “extremely respectful”, with a few jokers on board. He describes a group of players more like a family, than a sports team.

“Either Jerome Luai or Sunia Turuva will, as they board the bus, jump on the horn, which, if you are not expecting it, can be really loud.

“They always say thank you when they get off the bus, give you a fist bump and say good morning or good afternoon,” he said.

Every player, new or old, is welcome on the bus.

“It doesn’t matter how many different people come into the side, or if they came up from a lower grade, they all just are welcomed in by the Panthers. Once they are in the team, they are a part of the group,” he said.

“Everybody does things together. It’s a team thing. They wait until they are all off the bus before walking off,

Ivan Cleary always claims the second seat back from the front, always the window seat, where he will normally sit with a book. As for the boys, they are at the back, often playing music on a boom box or cards.

“Noise isn’t a big issue for me – as long as they look after the bus and look after each other, I don’t care about the boombox noise, or playing cards, yelling, screaming, I don’t care. They are having fun. Nothing else matters,” Geoff said.

As for music, Geoff admitted that sometimes the boys could play quite “raunchy” music but will occasionally surprise him with something unexpected.

“They surprised me the other day, playing blues music in the background, which was a totally different ball game.”

Penrith Panthers fans Sophia (7) and Olivia Davey (10) are excited their team made it to Sundays NRL grand final against the Melbourne Storm. Picture: Jane Dempster

While the players may be known for their post-win locker room celebrations, the bus ride home after a big win usually is quiet.

“It’s very quiet. Once they have a shower, get changed and get back on the bus, they just sit back. Sometimes there is a boom box, sometimes there’s not. They just ride back in peace and quiet.

“I have only ever seen Ivan get upset once. We had lost against Parramatta. They put the boom box on to play some music, Ivan just stood up and put his hand up. That was it. They knew Ivan wasn’t happy and the music went off.

“I know that if I am driving the team to a job, I am carrying multimillion dollars worth of talent.”

KIDS WHO’VE ONLY KNOWN VICTORY

Six-year-old Harlow Pagnamenta has never known a time when the Panthers weren’t winners. In her mind, the Penrith boys whose cardboard cutouts decorate her front lawn have always been on top.

And given they are going for a fourth win in a row, this year the wishes for a fourth title have inspired a Star Wars theme to their display and a play on May 4th (May the Force).

Taylah Pagnamenta, 12, Harlow Pagnamenta, 6, Kiara Pagnamenta, 16, Makayla Cosentini, 13, and Havana Pagnamenta, 12, at their Panthers-decorated home in South Penrith ahead of the NRL Grand Final. Picture: Jonathan Ng

“My six-year-old thinks Panthers are only winners. She’s never seen them lose, so I am embracing the fun she is having. She doesn’t know that it never used to be like this,” mum Simone said.

It’s one of the reasons Panthers fever rages so hot in Penrith, year after year. This is a community that, despite all its wins, still feels like an underdog.

“When these boys aren’t on the field, they are in the community,” she said.

“Luai lives just across the road.”

As she talks to us, the mother of a former Penrith player walks past us on her daily walk. Such is the nature of Penrith which, despite its huge population, still feels like a small town.

“Liam Martin’s sister is a teacher at the girl’s school and they are always talking about Liam. When you run into the boys at the shops, they never shy away from the community or, if anyone wants an autograph, they will always stop,” Ms Pagnamenta said.

She worries that young Harlow might not be prepared for a loss. It’s worlds away from Ms Pagnamenta’s own childhood, when losing was the norm.

“We just prayed for a day when we would get into a grand final. For Harlow, it’s all she has ever known,” she said.

Penrith Squinters Brewing Co Panthers fans, bar manager Robbie Whelan and owner Matt Davey. Picture: Jane Dempster

Local business owner Matt Davey decorates his local brewery in Panther’s colours and, like many local stores, throws himself into the fan fare.

“It’s about the community spirit. It’s one of those things where win, lose or draw, the whole week of being involved in the grand final is just a great vibe,” he said. “You would have thought after five years we might have got over it, but it hasn’t lost its shine.

“Everyone knows that a team like this and a run like this doesn’t happen very often. We might not ever get a chance like this,” he said.

KID LAROI SET TO HAVE A BALL AT FINAL

A nervous The Kid Laroi said he feels like “a little kid” to be back in Sydney and performing at one of the country’s biggest sporting nights.

The Grammy-nominated artist spoke to The Saturday Telegraph during rehearsals for his headline performance at the 2024 NRL Grand Final.

“I am super excited, super stoked to be here. It’s insane. Just being here on the field and looking at all the seats and looking at how many people are going to be here, its super overwhelming,” said Laroi, real name Charlton Howard. “I am actually for the first time in a long time extremely nervous.”

The diehard South Sydney Rabbitohs fan who grew up in Sydney but now lives in Los Angeles, said he feels extra pressure being back home.

“I want it to be perfect and I want it to be good,” he said.

The Kid Laroi with the Provan-Summons Trophy and match ball ahead of rehearsal for his NRL grand final performance at Accor Stadium in Homebush. Picture: Jonathan Ng

When asked what fans can expect, the artist was tight- lipped. He hinted that footy fans can expect something exciting.

“It’s the most unique and biggest show I have ever done,” he said.

There’s speculation Laroi may be joined on stage by popular Western Sydney rap group OneFour.

The 21-year-old hinted at planning “cool things” and laughed after being asked about the rumours on radio.

The decision to have an Australian perform is in contrast to the AFL, which hired US pop star Katy Perry for its grand final last Saturday.

National Rugby League CEO Andrew Abdo praised The Kid Laroi and said his success, passion for rugby league and global appeal made him the perfect fit to be grand final entertainment.

“The Kid Laroi personifies the energy, excitement and ambition of rugby league as we celebrate the end of another record-breaking season and look to take rugby league to new frontiers.”

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Originally published as As Penrith aim for a fourth title in a row, the community is alive with Panther fever