sport news Top insider Michelle Bishop reveals what makes Penrith Panthers tick ahead of ... trends now
The Penrith Panthers are preparing to play in Sunday's NRL grand final, and it's off the back of not only phenomenal play on the field, but their 'unique bond' and incredible culture off the field.
Top rugby league pundit Michelle Bishop, one of the hardest working reporters around, is on the airwaves and television every day - but it's her former working life that gives her valuable context about this Panthers side.
Bishop, who grew up right in the heart of Eels territory, was Penrith's media manager: headhunted to the role by Phil Gould in between radio and television gigs - and she has given Daily Mail Australia a valuable insight into what makes the club tick.
She's been a mother figure of sorts to many of these players as they rose through the ranks, and one of her favourite stories about this crop of Panthers belongs to prop Spencer Leniu.
Spencer Leniu, pictured after scoring a try in last weekend's preliminary final, is preparing to play in an NRL grand final - and it all came about after a trip to Minchinbury McDonald's
Top rugby league journalist Michelle Bishop was previously Penrith's media manager - so she has a unique insight into why the club is so special and dominant across all levels of rugby league
The combative forward, who was born in New Zealand to Samoan parents before emigrating to Australia, has one of the great sliding doors moments one could possibly imagine ahead of Sunday's grand final.
'He arrived here (in Australia) as an eight or nine-year-old from New Zealand, and his parents took him to McDonald's (in Minchinbury) one day,' Bishop explained of Leniu's introduction to rugby leauge.
'And it just so happened that Minchinbury Jets were having a registration day, and Jarome Luai was there, too.
'So he (Leniu) walked out with a Happy Meal and being registered to play footy and that's how it all started for him,' said Bishop.
It's one story out of many that gives valuable context to this all-conquering footy team.
Spencer Leniu with girlfriend Alexia Loizou after winning last season's grand final
Bishop took aim at fans, former players and pundits who criticise the Panthers for what some deem arrogance, and a lack of grace on the field.
Her experience with these special Panthers, many who have grown up together, is anything but.
'To me what I see now is these kids that were playing in the park, in Mount Druitt, in Whalan Reserve and Hebersham ... it's just that now it's in front of people. They aren't fazed by anything,' said Bishop.
'This time last year, I felt like I was almost defending them a little bit because people are saying they're bratty and they're cocky, they're not at all. I'm with them all the time, and their behaviour doesn't change.
'The biggest thing for me as well is they are all so individual, but they can all come together and embrace each other ... they have such a unique bond,' Bishop said.
Michelle Bishop at the Panthers Club in Penrith with the Provan-Summons Trophy ahead of last year's grand final
A big part of that is the upbringing many of these Panthers players have had - many of which are quite similar.
The type of players these men are on and off the field is testament to their amazing family - which gets lost in the constant criticism of the way they conduct themselves.
'They have very strong ties with their families, with their heritage and that sort of stuff; hence the praying after the games,' Bishop, a mother of two boys herself, said.
'One of the players drives his mom to church every Saturday. That's his job unless he's got rugby league, and we're talking about a 21-year-old. Yeah.
'He drives his mom to church, waits for her to finish practice at church, and then drives her home. I love that, and I wish people could see that side of them,' said Bishop.
Nathan Cleary poses with a Penrith fan's newborn child at the club's opening training session on Tuesday: they really are a family club!
It isn't just the more fan-facing first grade players, either.
It's an attitude that pilfers right down through the club's famed nursery, and it's easy to see that better boys and men make better footballers: the club has already won SG Ball (under 16s), Jersey Flegg (under 21s) and NSW Cup (reserve grade), and if they win the grand final on Sunday it will be the first time that's happened in 59 years.
'I had the privilege of MC'ing their Jersey Flegg presentation night two weeks ago.
