The Obstruction Rule

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Panthers reunite Watene-Zelezniaks

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Having lost winger Christian Crichton to the Bulldogs next year, the Panthers had a vacancy for a depth winger. That vacancy has been filled.

According to Fox Sports, the Panthers have agreed to terms with Tigers winger Malakai Watene-Zelezniak on a two-year deal.

The new deal will see Watene-Zelezniak return to the club with whom he made his first grade debut, and reunite with his brother, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak.

MWZ departed the Panthers in the middle of late season to take a starting gig with the Tigers, but with Wests having since added Moses Mbye, Corey Thompson and Mahe Fonua, he’s likely now to be limited to a depth role, and he might as well do that back home at Penrith.

Watene-Zelezniak has played 25 first grade games for the Tigers and Panthers.

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The Weekend Wrap: 30/4/17

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Souths were booed by their own fans following their thrashing at the hands of Manly on Friday night.

Cowboys coach Paul Green hopes halfback Johnathan Thurston isn’t picked for Australia this week.

Sharks coach Shane Flanagan has reassured fans that five-eighth James Maloney won’t be released from his contract early.

Wests have officially confirmed the mid-season recruitment of Panthers winger Malakai Watene-Zelezniak.

Cowboys forward Corey Jensen faces a one-game suspension for a high shot on Eels forward Tepai Moeroa, during his side’s loss to Parramatta.

The Bulldogs will be without five-eighth Josh Reynolds for up to a month, after he tore his hamstring during their victory over the Raiders.

Tigers prop Aaron Woods has been ruled out of the Australian team with a groin and hamstring injury suffered in a “wishbone” tackle. His place will be taken by Sharks forward Andrew Fifita.

If the Western Force were to fold, former Bulldogs winger Curtis Rona would be interested in returning to Belmore.

Tigers coach Ivan Cleary has (correctly) accused Sharks forward Paul Gallen of diving.

ABC writer Jon Healy has gone to some effort to illustrate exactly why Raiders centre Joey Leilua shouldn’t be selected for New South Wales.

Cowboys coach Paul Green has indicated his side will join the queue of teams pulling their players out of the City-Country clash.

Tigers captain Aaron Woods has confirmed that he’ll leave the club at the end of the season to join the Bulldogs on a four-year deal.

Storm coach Craig Bellamy has confirmed that prop Christian Welch has torn his ACL, and will be gone for the rest of the year.

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Tigers look to add outside back depth

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He may not be the Watene-Zelezniak you’re familiar with, but he might be the Watene-Zelezniak the Tigers need right now.

According to Fox reporter James Hooper, Panthers reserve winger, and brother of Kiwi Test star Dallin, Malakai Watene-Zelezniak is set to be released immediately by the Panthers, in order to take up a deal with Wests.

Watene-Zelezniak made his first grade debut this month, after a group of Penrith stars were dropped to reserve grade for missing curfew. Evidently that performance impressed Tigers scouts, with the club keen to bring the winger to Concord, effective immediately.

His brother Dallin spent plenty of time under current Tigers coach Ivan Cleary at Penrith, where Cleary handed him his first grade debut.

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Panthers drop stars for disciplinary issues

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A healthy Tyrone Peachey would be handy right about now.

Having already lost star centre Tyrone Peachey to a fractured rib, the Panthers have now announced that stars Matt Moylan, Peta Hiku and Waqa Blake have all been dropped to the ISP Super Premiership this week for violating team protocol.

It’s believed that the players went out for a social drink following the team’s loss to the Storm, in contravention of team standards.

The Panthers’ incredible outside back depth will now be stretched, with Test winger Josh Mansour still recovering from ACL surgery. Future star Dylan Edwards will likely come into the side at fullback, with former Manly, Sydney and Souths winger Michael Oldfield, and Malakai Watene-Zelezniak, brother of recently re-signed Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, both strong chances of a call-up.

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