NUMBER ONE: Forbes Magpie junior Charlie Staines and his Penrith Panthers sit alone on top of the NRL ladder after five rounds as the only team undefeated.

It was billed a potential grand final rehearsal and for about 20 minutes it was – until Penrith put their foot to the pedal.

Penrith Panthers made it five games undefeated to start the 2021 season – a first for the club, while Charlies Staines grabbed a double as ladder leaders Penrith smacked the Canberra Raiders 30-10 in Penrith.

Staines, who continues to dine out on the wing, was in everything, including snuffing out tries as well as forcing line drop outs with deft grubber kicks. With Dylan Edwards out and pace to burn as well as experience in the fullback jersey, the Forbes Magpie junior may well find himself in the custodian role yet before the season is out.

The night was also a celebration of the 1991 Panthers grand final winning side lead by Goolagong local and Forbes favourite Royce Simmons. Ironically, Simmons and those Panthers also defeated a star-studded Canberra side that included Mal Meninga, Laurie Daley and Ricky Stuart – the current Raiders coach.

Thirty years on, can Staines and the young Panthers repeat history?

After matching a 102 year old rugby league record last weekend, Charlie Staines Penrith Panthers have put yesterday’s darlings Manly to the sword in an emphatic 46-6 win at Lottoland.

Staines, who was again a big feature in much of Penrith’s attack, had another strong performance for the Panthers on the flank outside new centre three-quarter recruit Paul Momirovski who signed on from Wests Tigers at the beginning of 2021.

The Panthers remain unbeaten after four rounds alongside neighbours and rivals Parramatta however Penrith’s 44 point superior points differential puts them on top of the NRL ladder leading into this Friday night’s key match with fellow contenders the Canberra Raiders. Canberra sit fifth on the NRL ladder and have only had the one blemish to date with a hiccup against a hungry Warriors side two weeks ago.

Yet for Staines and Penrith it’s all about this week and continuing a winning run that has seen the side win 21 of their last 22 games and only allow 16 points against them in four matches so far in 2021.

Up the Panthers!

After somewhat of a try drought, Forbes Magpies junior Charlies Staines scored a try and helped save two others including the matchwinner with Villiame Kikau in Penrith Panthers 12-10 win over the Melbourne Storm. The win leaves the Panthers undefeated alongside neighbours and rivals Parramatta with a game against wooden spoon fancies Manly last night. He also outran the fastest man in league Josh Addo-Carr!

It is a friendly rivalry that has grown over the years and despite a disruptive 2020 and poor weather, the annual Brendon ‘Stubby’ Collits Memorial Day was again a tremendous success and a credit to both clubs.

The last two challenges had resulted in draws meaning this year had some extra tension despite the friendly atmosphere and it was Pats who got the chocolates with a grafting 28-22 win at Spooners Oval in front of a bumper crowd.

For Forbes coach Cameron Greenhalgh it was a great hit-out for his troops ahead of a big 2021 season. With many having had a long break from the game, the return of messrs Ben Maguire, Hayden Bolam and Mitch Andrews along with Nick Greenhalgh has been welcomed making the Magpies a force to be reckoned with in 2021.

In other games on the day, St. Pats Women’s League Tag dominated Forbes while the 18s showed why they will be a genuine threat this season with a resounding win. As for the 21s last Saturday’s contest against Bathurst St Pat’s was the final competition round for the new 21s, with the semi-finals of the six-side competition to follow.

Between rep footy, trials, memorial days and more it’s great to see the crowds back at Spooners Oval for rugby league. After a disruptive 2020, the Magpies are looking good from juniors to firsts and should be more than competitive this year. We will watch with interest. Up the Magpies!

Penrith Panthers have won their second straight game with an impressive 28-0 win over the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs keeping their opponents scoreless for the second week in a row and matching a 102 year old record in the process. In soggy conditions at Bankwest Stadium, the Panthers were never headed with Forbes junior Charlie Staines having a mixed game with some handling errors in the wet conditions tempered by outstanding defence. On Thursday Staines and the young Panthers play defending premiers Melbourne Storm at home in the grand final rematch.

BRAINS TRUST: Red Bend league coaches Kai Merritt and Troy Read (U16’s), Colum Hopkins (U17’s league tag & president), Rodney Morrison (U10’s), Daniel Buckmaster (U12’s), and Paul Kelly (U14’s).

Red Bend along with Forbes Magpies will be co-hosting a rugby league carnival on April 24 between Red Bend fields and Spooner’s Oval.

In a real plus, organisers are getting plenty of registrations for older divisions but seek anyone especially U10s to U16s who wants to try league in a non-competitive, fun environment.

Colum Hopkins (3rd from left), President of Red Bend Junior Rugby League said nominations had come from as far as Cobar with others throughout the Central West also registering.

“We encourage anyone from all ages to come on April 24. There’s no obligation to play on and our emphasis is on having fun,” said Mr Hopkins.

“This day wouldn’t be possible without our co-hosts Forbes Magpies and sponsors who are all committed to developing rugby league in our region.

“The carnival is also a tremendous opportunity to try something new, keep fit and meet new people while existing players get a chance to have a hit out before the season starts next week.”

More info can be obtained from the Play Rugby League website or the Red Bend College Facebook page. All U8’s wanting to play this season are encouraged to register.

Forbes junior and Panthers winger Charlie Staines has two from two with Penrith Panthers in 2021 after a strong 16-6 victory over fellow title aspirants Parramatta at Penrith Stadium on Saturday night.

Staines could’ve crossed on a few occasions with one bad call costing him a try. Yet the young side weren’t deterred, never letting their western rivals in the contest.

With Round 1 only a few weeks away no doubt we will be hearing a lot more about Staines and the Panthers as they look to go one better in 2021.

Charlie Staines has started the 2021 season on a positive note in a winning first up effort for Penrith Panthers in a NSW Cup trial against Mounties 18-12.

Linking with new Wests Tigers recruit Paul Momirovski on the right edge, the new combination got off to a rough start as Mounties scooted to an early 12-0 lead. With possession finally going the Panthers way, the tide began to turn towards Penrith.

Two quick tries brought the score back to 12-10 at half time and the Panthers soon clicked into gear taking the lead for good not long thereafter with two quick tries.

Clinging to an 18-12 lead with a fraction of the game to go, Mounties looked set to score to make it 18-16 with a kick to come however it wasn’t to be and Panthers won in a thrilling game 18-12. Charlie Staines finished strongly, saving a certain try and the see-sawing affair provided a good work-out for eight of the NRL squad.

The Forbes Magpie junior is expected to line up on the wing for Round 1 of the NRL premiership in a few short weeks having taken the place of club legend Josh Mansour who has since moved to South Sydney. It’s a massive endorsement from the club and NRL coach Ivan Cleary that they see Staines as a big part of the Panthers future.

Meanwhile Staines is expected to line up again this weekend in the Battle of the West between Penrith and Parramatta with all grades playing at Panthers Stadium in an early glimpse at a mouth watering 2021 potential finals match up.

We can’t wait!