LEAGUE - Big changes for Panthers

There's a new mood in the air at Portland Panthers Rugby League Club and it's beginning to translate into some positive results on the park at the weekend.
Portland have won two out of three games in the Whangarei and Districts competition to date and are showing signs they may be able to compete for a semi-final place this year.
This is not an aberration nor a quirk of the draw, Portland coach Sam TeNamu says, but rather the club is building momentum this season, thanks to the use of a pretty unusual club practice - team trainings.
TeNamu has been some good years and lean years since joining the club in 1993 and by coaching this season, the club stalwart said he is trying to hang up his boots gracefully.
"The last seven years or so there have been almost no trainings at Portland, we'd just turn up every Saturday to play, so just to have trainings this year is a real blessing," he said.
Subsequently, the side has been one of the `also rans' in regard to results for a few years now.
"(The trainings have meant) we've come together as a team a lot quicker than I ever expected, everybody's already exceeded my expectations and I hope that keeps going," TeNamu said.
This year's squad has been given some much needed experience with club president Ricky Shelford using club and family connections to recruit three Richmond players from Auckland: Dane Guttenbeil, Val McDonald and Junior Taifinufo.
Another well-known recruit is former Hokianga and Northland player Jackson Katene, who can only help to improve the club's playing culture further this season.
The benefit of experience is already paying off for TeNama's team this season and it is the young players who are impressing to date.
"Our young players are playing out of their skin at the moment ... winger Israel Tahere and fullback Rakana Cook are two players to watch out for in the future, while Hemi Shelford has been another reliable performer."
The team travel to play the Northern Wairoa Bulls this weekend, with the Villi Salase Memorial Trophy up for grabs.
Although the Bulls are still winless, TeNamu is taking the game very seriously and believes the Bulls are another team on the rise this season. "They've been doing really well this year and although they haven't won yet, they've been close every game."
In the other fourth round matches tomorrow, Takahiwai host champions Moerewa in an interesting encounter, while Ngawha Saints will be tested by the improving Bay Slayers. In the remaining match, Marist's depth this season will once again be held up for scrutiny by the ever consistent Hikurangi Stags, while Kaikohe have the bye.