Rumoured & Confirmed Signings (2025 Season)

[Chins]

Martin is the new Tago

No this has been spoken about for years now but is only getting worse as we get weaker over time. Martin should be a leader yet he's simply not, his best is brutal but we simply never see it

 

[Hooked]

I'm only guessing bur the club must be thinking Armstrong and/or Clarke as the replacements. The club rates both of them very highly and I could see Clarke taking on that utility role.

Clarke might get a taste next-year in FG. But 2027 is more realistic.

If Carty turns up in our reserve grade team the next week or two. That might be telling.

 

[Oldpanther86]

There is a reason clubs don't enforce contracts with a few years left on them, when players want to leave. You maybe able to enforce them legally, but who wants an unhappy player at the club? They will just ruin the morale of everybody. "Suck it up princess, you signed a deal and we are not going to let you make more money elsewhere". It sounds great in theory, but it just doesn't work in practice.

I hear fans saying all the time "they signed a deal, tough". Meanwhile, the fan can resign and leave for a job elsewhere with a months notice. They are people, not robots and you can't own a person and make them work for you.

Totally fair and to add, Garner has earned the right from his perspective to get himself a well paid contract into his 30s. Though from our perspective I do love having him on the roster though.

 

[Oldpanther86]

I agree. Some of you blokes must have someone on a retainer making these voodoo dolls for you to stick pins in.

Does anyone really need a voodoo doll to say Martin is a beast in big games but doesn't really deliver that consistently during the season? It wouldn't be humanly possible every week he'd be out injured if he tried but a game here and there isn't unreasonable to ask.

 

[Luke Bowden]

what realistic player could we nab that would soften the blow of losing Garner early?

Fifita seems the obvious candidate - but id rather keep Garner tbh

I’m a huge Garner fan, but if we replaced him and Sorro with Fifita, that’s a decent upgrade.

Assuming Hassett comes onto the bench in that utility spot. Which seems very likely at this point.

 

[Chins]

I’m a huge Garner fan, but if we replaced him and Sorro with Fifita, that’s a decent upgrade.

Assuming Hassett comes onto the bench in that utility spot. Which seems very likely at this point.

How does Hassett go at centre?

 

[age.s]

How does Hassett go at centre?

He's a backrower. He'll go great!

#justivanthoughts

 

[age.s]

Surely we could find a spot for Taylan da Silva.

 

[PANTHERMIKE]

Surely we could find a spot for Taylan da Silva.

If it means upsetting the tiger merkins, lets do it!

 

[Luke Bowden]

How does Hassett go at centre?

About the same as Garner, nothing special, but defends well.

 

[soc123_au]

Surely we could find a spot for Taylan da Silva.

Just came to post the same thing, he would add a few things we are missing for sure.

 

[Goonji]

what realistic player could we nab that would soften the blow of losing Garner early?

Fifita seems the obvious candidate - but id rather keep Garner tbh

Did any of us really rate Capewell, Sorrenson and Garner when we first signed them? I trust our selectors even though i'm not happy about Garner going.

 

[Murraymob1]

With all the players shed or sacked if we can’t find a little extra for garner it shows how bad this retention committee is.They clearly has a lot of over paid players excluding any of our origin players how command high wages and deserve them .we are falling due to no plan of succession
Our current stars are getting older .
I will always have faith in Ivan as what he has achieved in amazing .But like the players need a shake up from time to time maybe new faces on these committee ones that can attend every game

 

[betcats]

How does Hassett go at centre?

He has been picked there everyweek since his nrl game so i dunno if that means they are testing him out there to see if he could do the garner role sometimes, or maybe we just have that many injuries/players out in cup.

 

[Bred not Bought]

Hassett is yet to be re-signed.

 

[Black Panther]

Surely we could find a spot for Taylan da Silva.

Could be the spark we need to change up our attack.

 

[Chins]

Could be the spark we need to change up our attack.

Would he be a noticeable upgrade on Billy Scott? Isn't he meant to be the next big thing?

 

[Black Panther]

Yeah, Billy Scott is the next one coming through but isn’t really an attacking spark. More like Kenny, he defends well but has a nice little kicking game. As for pace around the ruck, he hasn’t got much but still a good player.

For Penrith to be able to dominate teams after 5 years is awesome, but the need for a faster Hooker seems to be the way forward.

 

[Original Name]

Yeah but Scotty is not really the player he was 2 years ago though is he? He is a super fit guy he looks after himself cleary but even he with his late start is suffering age related physical drop off, that cant be avoided.

TBH i dont buy into the lack of wear and tear stuff for late nrl starters. Firstly they are still playing footy, yeah there is a difference in the physical toughness of the nrl but there is also a diffference in the care and preparation nrl players get. Besides doctors and physios they have trainers to tape and massage them every session, closely monitored fitness sessions again with trainers right there making sure its done right. Secondly age comes for everyone, it doesnt matter how many nrl games you have played.

I just look at our pack and see Yeo is 30, sorro 32, marto 28, garns 29, moses 29. That is a lot of guys hitting an age that we need to start thinking about these things, i certainly woundnt have started with Garns for a refresh, but im willing to see what else they do.

1) Well Sorenson from the time he started playing with us to 2024 played extremely well for like 4 years regardless of being in his late 20s when he started with us which is my point. If I could 4 more good years of the same quality that Garner has been at right now or better I think it would be awesome for the club. It's not the same wear and tear as other guys in the pack because he wasn't playing first grade so the age thing isn't applied in the way to Garner as it is to our other players.

2) Scotty only has had a form dip since he's gotten consistent injuries. It would reasonable to say it's at least possible if Sorenson was fit to train and play consistently he might just be playing similarly to previous years rather than inherently writing him off as washed because of age.

His strength he's relied on has always been in his speed. I think he hasn't trained as much due to injury and isn't as fit as he used to be but I don't watch him and think his raw speed when he first comes on is significantly slower looks like he's just running with less confidence and is less fit.

 

[betcats]

1) Well Sorenson from the time he started playing with us to 2024 played extremely well for like 4 years regardless of being in his late 20s when he started with us which is my point. If I could 4 more good years of the same quality that Garner has been at right now or better I think it would be awesome for the club. It's not the same wear and tear as other guys in the pack because he wasn't playing first grade so the age thing isn't applied in the way to Garner as it is to our other players.

2) Scotty only has had a form dip since he's gotten consistent injuries. It would reasonable to say it's at least possible if Sorenson was fit to train and play consistently he might just be playing similarly to previous years rather than inherently writing him off as washed because of age.

His strength he's relied on has always been in his speed. I think he hasn't trained as much due to injury and isn't as fit as he used to be but I don't watch him and think his raw speed when he first comes on is significantly slower looks like he's just running with less confidence and is less fit.

Garner turns 30 in about 10 weeks mate he isnt playing at this level for four more seasons, that is extemely unlikely. Scotty is 32 now btw, where Garner will be in two years.