2016 Penrith Panthers season

Rugby league team season
Avg. attendance12,910 (Pepper Stadium only)High attendance15,411 vs. Sea Eagles, round 26 (Pepper Stadium only)Top scorersTriesJosh Mansour (16)GoalsNathan Cleary (53)PointsNathan Cleary (118)
Home colours
Home colours		Away colours
Away colours
← 2015 List of seasons 2017 →

The 2016 Penrith Panthers season was the 50th in the club's history. Coached by Anthony Griffin and captained by Matt Moylan,[3] the Panthers competed in the NRL's 2016 Telstra Premiership. They also competed in the 2016 NRL Auckland Nines pre-season tournament.

The Panthers started their season with a string of close results, but failed to win consecutive games during the competition's opening two months. Over the course of the year, new coach Anthony Griffin redefined who was already well established within the team,[4][5] and experienced playmakers Jamie Soward and James Segeyaro would later be released from their contracts mid-season. The Panthers finished the regular season with seven wins from their final eight games, securing 6th position and a place in the finals series.[6]

Jersey and Sponsors

The Panthers' 2016 jersey, made by ASICS, was designed to commemorate the club's 50th season. The names of all those who have played 50 or more games for the club adorn the front of the jersey, while the back of the jersey features all five of the Panthers logos, past and present. Unlike the black and teal colour combination used in previous seasons, the Panthers adopted a black and golden brown colour scheme in 2016. The home jersey is black with golden brown panels and the away jersey is the inverse. OAK Milk again featured as the major sponsor, with Hertz once more on the sleeve.[7]

On three occasions during the season, the Panthers wore unique heritage jerseys to celebrate the club's history. The celebratory jerseys were based on jersey designs from previous seasons, but were remade in the style of the current jerseys. The 1967 heritage jersey, worn against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in round 2, was based on the club's 'Chocolate Soldiers' jersey from their inaugural 1967 season.[8] The 1991 heritage jersey, worn against the Canberra Raiders in round 9, was based on the jersey worn during the club's premiership winning 1991 season.[9] Likewise, the 2003 heritage jersey, worn against the Sydney Roosters in round 22, was based on the jersey worn during the club's premiership winning 2003 season.[10] Listed on each of the jerseys is the names of all those who played for the club in that respective season.

  • 1967 heritage jersey
    1967 heritage jersey
  • 1991 heritage jersey
    1991 heritage jersey
  • 2003 heritage jersey
    2003 heritage jersey

Squad

Penrith Panthers
2016 NRL Team Coaching staff

Head coach

  • Anthony Griffin

Assistant coaches

Legend:
  • (c) Captain(s)
  • (vc) Vice-captain(s)

Updated: 22 August 2016
Source(s): Panthers Squad 2016


Player transfers

A † denotes that the transfer occurred during the 2016 season.

Gains
Player Signed From Until End of Notes
Sitaleki Akauola Wests Tigers
Zach Dockar-Clay Parramatta Eels
2017
Benjamin Garcia Catalans Dragons (Super League)
2017
Chris Grevsmuhl† South Sydney Rabbitohs
2018
Josh Hall Gold Coast Suns (AFL – Australian rules)
2017
Zak Hardaker† Leeds Rhinos (Super League)
2016 (on loan)
Andrew Heffernan Canberra Raiders
Peta Hiku Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
2018
Viliame Kikau North Queensland Cowboys
2017
Te Maire Martin Wests Tigers
2018
Suaia Matagi Sydney Roosters
2016
Trent Merrin St. George Illawarra Dragons
2018


Losses
Player Signed To Until End of Notes
Sam Anderson Redcliffe Dolphins (QLD Cup)
2017
Lewis Brown Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
2018
Adam Docker Retirement
-
Daniel Foster Easts Tigers (QLD Cup)
2017
Benjamin Garcia† Catalans Dragons (Super League)
2018
Jamal Idris Released
-
Isaac John Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
2016
Brent Kite Retirement
-
Apisai Koroisau Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
2018
Sika Manu Hull F.C. (Super League)
Kieren Moss Parramatta Eels
2016
Ben Murdoch-Masila Salford Red Devils (Super League)
Nigel Plum Retirement
-
Sam Scarlett Brisbane Broncos
James Segeyaro† Leeds Rhinos (Super League)
2016
David Simmons Retirement
-
Chris Smith† Sydney Roosters
2017
Jamie Soward† London Broncos (Championship)
Shaun Spence Retirement
-
Elijah Taylor† Wests Tigers
2016

Fixtures

Auckland Nines

Penrith Panthers
2016 Auckland Nines Squad Did not play Coaching staff

Head coach

  • Anthony Griffin


Legend:
  • (c) Captain(s)
  • (vc) Vice-captain(s)

Updated:
Source(s): [33]


Rangitoto Pool
Team
  • v
  • t
  • e
 Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts
North Queensland Cowboys 3 2 0 1 55 36 +19 4
Newcastle Knights 3 2 0 1 48 58 −10 4
Penrith Panthers 3 1 0 2 48 37 +11 2
Wests Tigers 3 1 0 2 36 56 −20 2
Source: [citation needed]
Date Round Opponent Venue Score Tries Goals Attendance
Saturday, 6 February Game 4 Wests Tigers Eden Park 23–7 Blake (3), Mansour, Watene-Zelezniak Cartwright (1/2), Harawira-Naera (0/1), Martin (1/1), W Smith (0/1) 37,000
Saturday, 6 February Game 11 Newcastle Knights Eden Park 14–15 Dockar-Clay, R Jennings, Latimore Harawira-Naera (0/1), Martin (0/1), W Smith (1/1) 37,000
Sunday, 7 February Game 20 North Queensland Cowboys Eden Park 11–15 Cartwright, Garcia Cartwright (0/1), Martin (1/1) 37,000
Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw   Bye

Pre-season

Date Round Opponent Venue Score Tries Goals
Saturday, 13 February Trial 1 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Pepper Stadium 24–20 Hall, Martin, C Smith, Taylor, Watene-Zelezniak Moylan (2/2), Harawira-Naera (0/1), Dockar-Clay (0/1), Cleary (0/1)
Saturday, 20 February Trial 2 Parramatta Eels Pepper Stadium 8–22 Blake, Mansour Soward (0/2)
Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw   Bye

Regular season

Date Round Opponent Venue Score Tries Goals Attendance
Saturday, 5 March Round 1 Canberra Raiders GIO Stadium 30–22 Hiku, Mansour, Merrin Soward (5/5) 11,297
Thursday, 10 March Round 2 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Pepper Stadium 16–18 Hiku, McKendry Soward (4/4) 11,125
Saturday, 19 March Round 3 Brisbane Broncos Pepper Stadium 23–22 Cartwright, Hiku, Latimore, Martin Soward (3/5), Martin (1 FG) 12,086
Sunday, 27 March Round 4 St. George Illawarra Dragons WIN Stadium 14–12 Hiku, Mansour Soward (2/3) 12,983
Sunday, 3 April Round 5 Parramatta Eels Pirtek Stadium 18–20 Cartwright (2), Mansour, Wallace Soward (2/4) 15,600
Saturday, 9 April Round 6 North Queensland Cowboys Pepper Stadium 18–23 Merrin, Watene-Zelezniak (2) Soward (3/4) 13,725
Monday, 18 April Round 7 Sydney Roosters Allianz Stadium 16–20 Blake, Martin, Watene-Zelezniak Soward (4/4) 10,117
Sunday, 24 April Round 8 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Southern Cross Group Stadium 20–18 Fisher-Harris (2), Moylan, Yeo Soward (1/3), Moylan (0/1) 14,273
Saturday, 30 April Round 9 Canberra Raiders Carrington Park 19–18 Cartwright, Hiku, Peachey Soward (3/4), Wallace (1 FG) 6,721
Saturday, 14 May Round 10 New Zealand Warriors AMI Stadium 30–18 Peachey (3), Soward, Watene-Zelezniak Soward (5/6) 18,000
Sunday, 22 May Round 11 Gold Coast Titans Pepper Stadium 24–28 Latu, Mansour, Peachey, Watene-Zelezniak Soward (4/5) 11,210
Round 12 Bye
Saturday, 4 June Round 13 Melbourne Storm AAMI Park 24–6 Mansour Soward (1/1) 11,116
Sunday, 12 June Round 14 Manly Warringah Sea Eagles Brookvale Oval 24–31 Cleary, Latu, Mansour, Peachey, Wallace, Watene-Zelezniak Moylan (0/2, 1 FG), Wallace (3/4) 12,463
Round 15 Bye
Friday, 24 June Round 16 South Sydney Rabbitohs Pepper Stadium 28–26 Cleary, Grevsmuhl, Latu, Mansour, Watene-Zelezniak Cleary (4/5) 13,080
Saturday, 2 July Round 17 Wests Tigers ANZ Stadium 34–26 Fisher-Harris, Mansour, Merrin, Yeo Cleary (5/5) 10,582
Sunday, 10 July Round 18 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Pepper Stadium 10–26 Latu, Yeo Cleary (1/3) 12,682
Saturday, 16 July Round 19 Parramatta Eels Pepper Stadium 22–18 Campbell-Gillard, Cartwright, Mansour, Peachey Cleary (3/4) 15,251
Friday, 22 July Round 20 Brisbane Broncos Suncorp Stadium 12–31 Blake, Fisher-Harris, Hardaker, Merrin, Moylan Cleary (5/6), Moylan (1 FG) 30,878
Saturday, 30 July Round 21 New Zealand Warriors Mount Smart Stadium 20–16 Mansour (2), Peachey Cleary (2/4) 13,026
Monday, 8 August Round 22 Sydney Roosters Pepper Stadium 38–18 Blake, Cartwright, Cleary, Grevsmuhl, Peachey (2), Yeo Cleary (5/7) 9,653
Sunday, 14 August Round 23 Newcastle Knights Hunter Stadium 6–42 Blake, Mansour (2), Moylan, Peachey, Watene-Zelezniak (2) Cleary (7/8) 13,771
Friday, 19 August Round 24 Wests Tigers Pepper Stadium 40–10 Blake, Campbell-Gillard, Cartwright, Fisher-Harris, Merrin, Wallace, Yeo Cleary (6/7) 14,876
Saturday, 27 August Round 25 Gold Coast Titans Cbus Super Stadium 14–15 Blake, Moylan Cleary (3/3), Moylan (1 FG) 18,288
Sunday, 4 September Round 26 Manly Warringah Sea Eagles Pepper Stadium 36–6 Blake, Cartwright, Mansour (2), Wallace, Watene-Zelezniak Cleary (6/6) 15,411
Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw   Bye

Finals

Qualifying and elimination finalsSemi-finalsPreliminary finalsGrand Final
10 Sept, Melbourne Rectangular Stadium
1 Melbourne16
4 North Queensland1016 Sept, Willows Sports Complex
North Queensland26
9 Sept, Lang Park Brisbane2024 Sept, Melbourne Rectangular Stadium
5 Brisbane44 Melbourne14
8 Gold Coast28 Canberra122 Oct, Stadium Australia
Melbourne12
11 Sept, Sydney Football Stadium23 Sept, Sydney Football Stadium Cronulla14
6 Penrith28 Cronulla32
7 Canterbury1217 Sept, Canberra Stadium North Queensland20
Canberra22
10 Sept, Canberra Stadium Penrith12
2 Canberra14
3 Cronulla16
Date Round Opponent Venue Score Tries Goals Attendance
Sunday, 11 September Elimination Final Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Allianz Stadium 28–12 Blake, Mansour, Peachey, Wallace, Watene-Zelezniak Cleary (4/6) 22,631
Saturday, 17 September Semi Final Canberra Raiders GIO Stadium 22–12 Peachey, Watene-Zelezniak Cleary (2/2) 21,498
Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw   Bye

Ladder

Pos Team Pld W D L B PF PA PD Pts
1 Melbourne Storm 24 19 0 5 2 563 302 +261 42
2 Canberra Raiders 24 17 1 6 2 688 456 +232 39
3 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks (P) 24 17 1 6 2 580 404 +176 39
4 North Queensland Cowboys 24 15 0 9 2 584 355 +229 34
5 Brisbane Broncos 24 15 0 9 2 554 434 +120 34
6 Penrith Panthers 24 14 0 10 2 563 463 +100 32
7 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 24 14 0 10 2 506 448 +58 32
8 Gold Coast Titans 24 11 1 12 2 508 497 +11 27
9 Wests Tigers 24 11 0 13 2 499 607 −108 26
10 New Zealand Warriors 24 10 0 14 2 513 601 −88 24
11 St. George Illawarra Dragons 24 10 0 14 2 341 538 −197 24
12 South Sydney Rabbitohs 24 9 0 15 2 473 549 −76 22
13 Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 24 8 0 16 2 454 563 −109 20
14 Parramatta Eels 24 13 0 11 2 298 324 −26 181
15 Sydney Roosters 24 6 0 18 2 443 576 −133 16
16 Newcastle Knights 24 1 1 22 2 305 800 −495 7

1 Parramatta were deducted 12 competition points and their for/against tally accumulated between rounds 1-9 for gross long-term salary cap breaches.

Statistics

Player statistics
Name App T G FG Pts
Sitaleki Akauola 14 0 0 0 0
Waqa Blake 21 8 0 0 32
Reagan Campbell-Gillard 20 2 0 0 8
Bryce Cartwright 26 8 0 0 32
Nathan Cleary 15 3 53 0 118
Dylan Edwards 1 0 0 0 0
James Fisher-Harris 23 5 0 0 20
Chris Grevsmuhl 14 2 0 0 8
Zak Hardaker 11 1 0 0 4
Peta Hiku 11 5 0 0 20
Jeremy Latimore 19 1 0 0 4
Leilani Latu 24 4 0 0 16
Moses Leota 4 0 0 0 0
Sam McKendry 12 1 0 0 4
Josh Mansour 25 16 0 0 64
Te Maire Martin 6 2 0 1 9
Suaia Matagi 23 0 0 0 0
Trent Merrin 25 5 0 0 20
Matt Moylan 21 4 0 3 19
Tyrone Peachey 24 13 0 0 52
James Segeyaro 4 0 0 0 0
Will Smith 4 0 0 0 0
Jamie Soward 12 1 37 0 78
Elijah Taylor 2 0 0 0 0
Peter Wallace 26 5 3 1 27
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 26 12 0 0 48
Dean Whare 1 0 0 0 0
Isaah Yeo 26 5 0 0 20
Totals 26 103 93 5 603
Goal kicking
Name GK GM GK%
Nathan Cleary 53 12 81.54
Matt Moylan 0 3 0.00
Jamie Soward 37 10 78.72
Peter Wallace 3 1 75.00
Totals 93 26 78.15

Other teams

In addition to competing in the National Rugby League, the Panthers also fielded semi-professional teams in the National Youth Competition's 2016 Holden Cup (for players aged under 20) and the New South Wales Rugby League's 2016 Intrust Super Premiership (NSW Cup). The NYC team was coached by Cameron Ciraldo and captained by Oliver Clark, and the NSW Cup team was coached by Steve Georgallis[34] and captained by Zach Dockar-Clay.

Representative

Domestic

Pos. Player Team Call-up
BE Leilani Latu Indigenous All Stars 2016 All Stars Match
BE Tyrone Peachey Indigenous All Stars 2016 All Stars Match
BE Jamie Soward Indigenous All Stars 2016 All Stars Match
BE Will Smith Indigenous All Stars 2016 All Stars Match
BE Trent Merrin World All Stars 2016 All Stars Match
PR Reagan Campbell-Gillard NSW City 2016 City vs Country Origin
SR Bryce Cartwright NSW City 2016 City vs Country Origin
PR Leilani Latu NSW City 2016 City vs Country Origin
WG Josh Mansour NSW City 2016 City vs Country Origin
BE Tyrone Peachey NSW City 2016 City vs Country Origin
WG Isaah Yeo NSW Country 2016 City vs Country Origin
181 Bryce Cartwright New South Wales 2016 State of Origin
WG Josh Mansour New South Wales 2016 State of Origin
FB Matt Moylan New South Wales 2016 State of Origin
BE Matt Moylan Prime Minister's XIII 2016 Prime Minister's XIII match

International

Pos. Player Team Call-up
CE Peta Hiku2  New Zealand 2016 Anzac Test
WG Dallin Watene-Zelezniak  New Zealand 2016 Anzac Test
HK Sione Katoa  Tonga 2016 Polynesian Cup
BE Tupou Sopoaga  Cook Islands International vs. Lebanon[35][36]
CE Waqa Blake3  Fiji 2016 Pacific Test
SR Viliame Kikau  Fiji 2016 Pacific Test
WG Josh Mansour  Australia 2016 Four Nations
LK Trent Merrin  Australia 2016 Four Nations
FB Matt Moylan  Australia 2016 Four Nations
BE James Fisher-Harris4  New Zealand 2016 Four Nations
BE Te Maire Martin  New Zealand 2016 Four Nations
FB Dallin Watene-Zelezniak  New Zealand 2016 Four Nations

1 – Selected as 18th Man, Cartwright did not play during the series.
2 – Hiku was initially selected to play but was ruled out by injury.
3 – Blake did not play in the match, despite being named in the original squad.
4 – Fisher-Harris was called up to replace injured Simon Mannering.

References

  1. ^ "Panthers appoint Payne CEO". penrithpanthers.com.au. 15 April 2016.
  2. ^ Nicolussi, Christian (16 August 2016). "Corey Payne has resigned as the CEO of the Penrith Panthers". The Daily Telegraph.
  3. ^ Proszenko, Adrian; Encarnacion, Matt (27 January 2016). "Matt Moylan named as Penrith Panthers captain for 2016". Sydney Morning Herald.
  4. ^ Walsh, Dan (8 June 2016). "Anthony Griffin axes 622 games worth of big name NRL talent at Penrith in 2016". Fox Sports.
  5. ^ Nicolussi, Christian (8 June 2016). "Jamie Soward not getting down over Penrith's selection bombshell". Herald Sun. Retrieved 22 September 2016.
  6. ^ "Magic Moylan leads Panthers over Manly". ESPN. 4 September 2016.
  7. ^ "2016 Home Jersey Revealed". penrithpanthers.com.au. 14 November 2015. Archived from the original on 13 September 2016. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  8. ^ "Panthers launch 1967 Jersey". penrithpanthers.com.au. 25 February 2016.
  9. ^ "1991 Commemorative Jersey Revealed". penrithpanthers.com.au. 27 April 2016. Archived from the original on 13 September 2016. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  10. ^ "2003 Commemorative Jersey Revealed". penrithpanthers.com.au. 8 July 2016. Archived from the original on 13 September 2016. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  11. ^ a b c "Panthers sign Quartet of Young Guns". penrithpanthers.com.au. 10 June 2015.
  12. ^ "Panthers secure Chris Grevsmuhl". penrithpanthers.com.au. 20 May 2016.
  13. ^ Webster, Andrew (8 September 2015). "Penrith Panthers boss Phil Gould poaches Josh Hall from Gold Coast Suns". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 22 September 2016.
  14. ^ a b "Leeds Rhinos: Zak Hardaker joins Penrith in swap deal for James Segeyaro". BBC. 22 June 2016.
  15. ^ "Two NRL Clubs Chasing Hardaker". Triple M. 7 September 2016. Retrieved 22 September 2016. The reigning Super League 'Man of Steel' is on loan deal with the Panthers after being granted his wish to play in the NRL but remains contracted to the Rhinos to the end of 2019.
  16. ^ "Panthers swoop for Hiku". penrithpanthers.com.au. 9 December 2015.
  17. ^ "Panthers sign Junior Kiwi". penrithpanthers.com.au. 13 July 2015.
  18. ^ "Matagi joins the Panthers". penrithpanthers.com.au. 4 November 2015.
  19. ^ Ritchie, Dean (2 March 2015). "Trent Merrin signs with Penrith Panthers, but won't harm Dragons focus in 2015". The Daily Telegraph.
  20. ^ "Lewis Brown to join Manly". penrithpanthers.com.au. 20 June 2015.
  21. ^ Ryan, Nathan (22 October 2015). "Penrith forward Adam Docker: From Test fringe to retirement at 24". Fox Sports.
  22. ^ "Easts Tigers welcome Foster". QRL.com.au. 26 October 2015. Retrieved 4 October 2016.
  23. ^ Reynolds, Ben (23 June 2016). "Catalans Dragons re-sign Ben Garcia from Penrith Panthers". Sky Sports.
  24. ^ "Official Statement: Apisai Koroisau". penrithpanthers.com.au. 2 July 2015.
  25. ^ "Manu signs Super League deal". penrithpanthers.com.au. 13 August 2015.
  26. ^ "Parramatta sign Cameron King and Kieran Moss on one-year deals for 2016". Daily Telegraph. 13 August 2015.
  27. ^ Brady, Jack (22 August 2015). "Family comes first as Plum retires". NRL.com.
  28. ^ "Panthers Flyer Calls It Quits". Triple M. 31 August 2015. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  29. ^ "Panthers release Chris Smith". penrithpanthers.com.au. 6 April 2016.
  30. ^ Chammas, Michael (30 June 2016). "Penrith Panthers release Jamie Soward to play in second tier for London Broncos". Sydney Morning Herald.
  31. ^ "Elijah Taylor joins Wests Tigers". weststigers.com.au. 2 May 2016.
  32. ^ Kennedy, Chris (5 February 2016). "Surprise call-up sends Panthers' Matagi home". NRL.com.
  33. ^ "Panthers name Auckland Nines squad". NRL.com. 22 January 2016.
  34. ^ "Georgallis Joins Panthers". Triple M. 30 October 2015.
  35. ^ "Cook Islands, Lebanon squads named". NRL.com. 6 May 2016. Retrieved 20 March 2017.
  36. ^ "Sport: Cook Islands criticise NRL clubs after Lebanon win". Radio New Zealand. 9 May 2016. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
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