"Petero won't return this season" - Leary

[abpanther]

No go Petero, says Panthers boss Leary

PENRITH chief executive Mick Leary says hopes of injured captain Petero Civoniceva making a comeback if the Panthers can survive a couple of weeks into the finals are unlikely to be realised. Civoniceva, who hasn't played since suffering a painful toe injury in Origin II, told the Herald earlier this month that he hadn't given up on a comeback if Penrith made the finals and was doing everything in his power to be fit. But Leary told Sin Bin there was no chance of Civoniceva playing for the Panthers again this season. "We'd love to see him back this season, but it won't happen. Petero will be lucky to make it back in time for the international series at the end of the season." Leary is working on re-signing star centre Michael Jennings on a five-year deal and second-rower Frank Pritchard for three years. "Ideally, we'd like to reach agreements with both players before the summer," he said. "They both want to stay, so it's a matter of being able to work something out."

http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/lhqnews/sin-bin/2009/08/27/1251001990800.html

 

[mightypanther]

.
I already figured he wouldn't play again this season when I saw him at the game last week and he was still wearing the boot. Even if he got it off this week, no-one can come back that quick.

Great to hear that they're still working on Jenko and Tank's contracts. I hope they're finalised sooner rather than later.
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[Sleep]

The boot is off this week I believe. And it's sad because he really is the missing key to the team at the moment. His go forward and leadership is a massive need and influence.

 

[abpanther]

I'm confused:

"As for Civoniceva, he assures us there will be no surprise return on Friday night from the toe injury which has hampered his season. The good news, however, is that a meeting with his specialist on Friday could see him back for a finals campaign."

http://www.nrl.com/newsviews/latest...ll-decide-the-battle-of-the-west/default.aspx

 

[Sleep]

Petero himself said in an interview a few weeks back he could be back for the finals so I'll take his word over anyone elses.

If the boot comes off this week he could be back the first week of the finals provided we make it.

 

[Caged Panther]

Petero himself said in an interview a few weeks back he could be back for the finals so I'll take his word over anyone elses.

If the boot comes off this week he could be back the first week of the finals provided we make it.

Obviously a different type of injury but didn't lewis have his boot off on like monday and took the field the following saturday?

In any case any thought of him coming back or not is irrelevant unless we win tonight. Something I've not been confident of us doing all week.

 

[Kilkenny]

Haven't really been the same since his injury.

Not surprising really considering he remains the best front rower in the game.

Frank Pulutea has been good but no one else has stood up and we have really missed Petro. He is truly irreplaceable.

 

[abpanther]

Penrith's Petero Civoniceva hoping to play finals football
By Josh Massoud
August 29, 2009

Penrith captain Petero Civoniceva has removed the protective boot from his injured foot and declared himself a chance to play in a fortnight.

In a major incentive for Penrith to complete their unlikely finals charge, Civoniceva has been given specialist clearance to resume running in preparation for a surprise September comeback.

The representative prop travelled from the foot of the mountains to St Vincent's Hospital, Darlinghurst, to receive the good news on Friday morning.

Sidelined since Origin II in June, Civoniceva was originally ruled out for the season when doctors discovered he had badly torn tendons in his big toe.

But a foot specialist provided the 33-year-old with a much more encouraging prognosis, clearing him not only for finals football but also the Kangaroos' end-of-year Quad Nations tour of Europe.

"The specialist told me a month ago that I'd be OK for the Quad Nations, and he gave me the all clear to start running again next week," Civoniceva said.

"I got to take the boot off my foot for the first time in eight weeks (on Friday) and it's good to be finally able to walk around normally.

"That gives me a chance to play (in the finals) if the boys can survive and make the top eight. The medical staff and physio will still be seeing how it holds up, but I'm a chance.

"It will all come down to how the foot responds when I start running again next week."

But regardless of whether Penrith uphold their end of the bargain and secure a finals spot next week, Civoniceva said he was proud of the team's effort to defy predictions of a last-place finish.

"For a side that wasn't given any chance, we've been going OK," he said.

"There have been a few injuries, but the boys have battled and given us this chance to play finals football."

A veteran of 36 Tests, Civoniceva is again keen to turn out for Australia but said he would consult Panthers coach Matt Elliott about playing over the off-season.

"I'd definitely like to make myself available, but I'm also going to have a chat with Matty and the Panthers and see what they'd like me to do," he said.

"And there are no guarantees I'll even be picked. (Australia coach) Tim Sheens might not want to risk taking me because I've been out injured for so long."

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,25996724-5018866,00.htmlhttp://

 

[Panthers_God]

what the hell.....

It's really not worth it....

 

[maple_69]

If we miraculously make the finals, the risk would be worth it.
I kind of agree with him in that I'm proud that we defied wooden spoon predictions and even got through the period where we were decimated by injuries in a strong position. After we got most of our guys back we should of been able to hang onto around 6th place and that's where the real disappointment lies.

 

[Sleep]

If Canberra win tonight we'll basically be playing the Knights for 8th spot next weekend.

If Canterbury get up over the Tigers we'd be playing them. Believe it or not I'd like our chances against a Noddy-less Dogs.

 

[mightypanther]

.
And if the Knights win tonight, our season is done and dusted. The game against the Knights would be a dead rubber, because there is no way that the dragons could beat the eels by 80, and I actually doubt that they can beat the eels at all.
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[mxlegend99]

Well this is about what you would expect from someone with power at our club... our CEO was flatout wrong about the availability of the most important player in our team FFS.

 

[franklin2323]

Well this is about what you would expect from someone with power at our club... our CEO was flatout wrong about the availability of the most important player in our team FFS.

another reason way he and his sidekicks must go. No IDEA!!!!!

 

[mightypanther]

another reason way he and his sidekicks must go. No IDEA!!!!!

Soooo many reasons......they gotta go !!!!!!

And they can take smelliott with them
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