Rumoured & Confirmed Signings (2025 Season)

[Bred not Bought]

With the salary cap having risen so much recently we need to recalibrate expectations on what players are worth. $600k for a young, talented spine player feels about right if you can back your development to bring him on further and sign him for a few years (and then convince yourself he won’t agitate for more dosh if he outperforms his contract).

Nah $600k for a 20 year-old, Who has only played 21 games, and started in only 3 games. Is overs.

You can get yourself into trouble paying on potential.

 

[age.s]

At the end of the day, if 4 clubs are fighting to get your signature before a fast looming deadline, youre probably going to get overs.

 

[BossleyPanther]

Is this why we are clearing the decks? Not bothered as much as I was last year though

GET HIM ALREADY! Penrith Panthers Urged to Seal Deal for 'Outrageous' Star - “Imagine David Fifita running off Cleary’s shoulder — it’s borderline unfair,” Alexander said on NRL360. “That kind of destructive threat on the edge would terrify defences. Penrith need to get this deal done.”

 

[Fangs]

Is this why we are clearing the decks? Not bothered as much as I was last year though

GET HIM ALREADY! Penrith Panthers Urged to Seal Deal for 'Outrageous' Star - “Imagine David Fifita running off Cleary’s shoulder — it’s borderline unfair,” Alexander said on NRL360. “That kind of destructive threat on the edge would terrify defences. Penrith need to get this deal done.”

That's the rumour.

I'd do it. 2 years on his contract. Make Titans chip in a little.

But run Fifita off Tailagi instead. Back to the old days just like Luai/Kikau.

 

[BossleyPanther]

That's the rumour.

I'd do it. 2 years on his contract. Make Titans chip in a little.

But run Fifita off Tailagi instead. Back to the old days just like Luai/Kikau.

If he can knuckle down and work hard, he would be lethal. I totally agree on the luai/Kikau comparison

 

[Kilkenny]

Recruiting Fifita sounds great but he played us last year, played the Roosters as well I guess and his form has been very ordinary.

Its a definite no for me, just not worth the risk.

 

[ColdWetPanther]

Recruiting Fifita sounds great but he played us last year, played the Roosters as well I guess and his form has been very ordinary.

Its a definite no for me, just not worth the risk.

At least this year it all needs to happen before Monday, so we won’t be left hanging…

 

[snickers007]

It's a no to Fifita for me. Honestly I don't think he adds anything to our team for 2025.

If he's a replacement for Sorenson in 2026, I can kinda see that.
If he's a replacement for Garner in 2026, it's a big down grade - especially in utility value.
If he's a replacement for both, big yikes.

 

[betcats]

Rumour going around that Zyon Maui(telnted 21yo prop dogs signed from warriors thisyear) is not fitting in well at the dogs and might be released. To me he is worth a contract if we can get him cheap. We've got duds like Riki, Dias etc taking up space, bring this young powerful prop in and see if we put some shine on him.

 

[chrisD]

I'm not interested in us signing anyone for the first 17 besides a 14 that can play dummy half and offer some utility. A luxury if they can play in the back row as well. I would have liked us to give Cole a go but he's obviously not suitable according to Ivan.

Hope we hold Garner but if that's all we lost that'd be ok. Don't want Fifita but it'd make sense we are looking at him, similar to Kikau, with him we'd go back to our old ways.

 

[PANTHERMIKE]

Would take Fifita for sure. Soro and Garns both leaving, also both have had injury issues in the past and we are only half way through the year. If one or both go down, having him THIS year would be a blessing.

 

[Hamstring awareness]

Jamal shibasaki, definitely butchered the last name but he looks a gun

You actually got that right but did butcher his first name LOL

 

[Chins]

I'm not interested in us signing anyone for the first 17 besides a 14 that can play dummy half and offer some utility. A luxury if they can play in the back row as well. I would have liked us to give Cole a go but he's obviously not suitable according to Ivan.

Hope we hold Garner but if that's all we lost that'd be ok. Don't want Fifita but it'd make sense we are looking at him, similar to Kikau, with him we'd go back to our old ways.

This or a hooker and Kenny becomes that guy. He's a tough merkin and a gun defender but he doesn't offer much with the ball and he's pretty much the finished product.

 

[Sime_11]

This or a hooker and Kenny becomes that guy. He's a tough merkin and a gun defender but he doesn't offer much with the ball and he's pretty much the finished product.

this 100%

forget Fifita, just give Garns an increase and that left edge spot permanently until one of the upcoming edge forwards takes it off him

Fifita is a luxury like Leniu - except we need him to perform - we've already got players fighting for bench spots now- bringing Fifita in is like Galvin at the Dogs - just disrupting already a good thing happening.

 

[Chins]

this 100%

forget Fifita, just give Garns an increase and that left edge spot permanently until one of the upcoming edge forwards takes it off him

Fifita is a luxury like Leniu - except we need him to perform - we've already got players fighting for bench spots now- bringing Fifita in is like Galvin at the Dogs - just disrupting already a good thing happening.

Having Fifita and Martin in the same side over a 27 round season is a terrifying thought. Both are unstoppable when on but when would we even see it?

 

[Sime_11]

Having Fifita and Martin in the same side over a 27 round season is a terrifying thought. Both are unstoppable when on but when would we even see it?

finals time we'd be as chirpy as the Dogs fans have been in 2025. (#bringbackthesmug)

Fifita i worry about when things dont go right - i dont know if he has the mentality to keep grinding

@Chins getting back to your 14/hooker option - If Reed Mahoney came available - do you take him? if would disrupt harmony especially on Kenny - but Reed doing a job and then Mitch comes on to relieve and belt blokes (plus give him minutes as a prop when required) - i can see value there IMO

 

[Original Name]

Good morning all!

* Thanks for all your kind words.

Now a replacement for Assistant Coach Gardiner.

Who would you like to come in?

For me I'd really like Jamie Soward to take over, followed by Matty Johns or Cooper Cronk..

The club likes to bring coaches through starting at flegg or reggies or bring in coaches Ivan trusts from coaching in previous stints. I'd assume we're going to do the same.

Gardiner Ivan knew at the Tigers and Webster Ivan knew at the Warriors.

 

[Chins]

finals time we'd be as chirpy as the Dogs fans have been in 2025. (#bringbackthesmug)

Fifita i worry about when things dont go right - i dont know if he has the mentality to keep grinding

@Chins getting back to your 14/hooker option - If Reed Mahoney came available - do you take him? if would disrupt harmony especially on Kenny - but Reed doing a job and then Mitch comes on to relieve and belt blokes (plus give him minutes as a prop when required) - i can see value there IMO

I REALLY don't like the bloke but maybe a 1 year deal before he joins the Perth side. Other sides will be able to offer more money than us

 

[age.s]

Wait. So Fifita coming here is an actual rumour or is it just Brandy spouting off randomly on air?

 

[chrisD]

What I think are realistic #14 types that would improve us are Pheonix Crossland and Billy Walters.