Rumoured & Confirmed Signings (2025 Season)

[Goonji]

EXCLUSIVE: 2025 NSW Cup Player of the Year on radar of rival club​

He led the New Zealand Warriors to the double in 2025.​

A week after confirming his departure from the New Zealand Warriors, 2025 NSW Cup premiership captain Kalani Going has found himself on the radar of another club.

Fresh off leading the Warriors to the double (NSW Cup and State Championship) less than a fortnight ago, sources have told Zero Tackle that the 28-year-old has found himself on the radar of the Penrith Panthers.


Bowing out in the 2025 Preliminary Final to the NRL's eventual winners, the links between the two parties come after Penrith is also set to add New Zealand duo Tobias Crosby and Tom Ale to its roster next season, adding to its forward depth.

On a development contract with the Warriors this season, he can play a variety of positions in the forward pack and had the opportunity to make his NRL first-grade debut in 2023 against The Dolphins.


Since then, he has been a workhorse in reserve-grade and has not only helped the younger forward coming through the ranks but was awarded with the honour of being named the 2025 NSW Cup Player of the Year.


"What a way to go out!!! Thanks New Zealand Warriors for the last 3 years I've loved my time here & will always be grateful for this amazing club," Going posted on social media last week.

EXCLUSIVE: 2025 NSW Cup Player of the Year on radar of rival club

He led the New Zealand Warriors to the double in 2025.

www.zerotackle.com

So Going is coming, sounds promising.

 

[betcats]

Probably be a couple more journeymen type signings given we just gutted the cup side.

 

[Goonji]

Regarding the Chad Debate and similar, I'd like to try to define categories;

10/10 Living Legend in peak form
9/10 Great
8/10 Elite
7/10 Good
6/10 Better than Average
5/10 Blog average
4/10 Ordinary
3/10 Limited (but functional)
2/10 Highly limited
1/10 Hopeless

I would say that for the vast majority of his Career Chad Townsend was somewhere between a 4.5-5.

The thing is players can have stretches of good or even great form where they play a point or two, or even sometimes 3 above their 'normal' level.

I think 2016 Chad probably played at somewhere around 6-6.5.

I like this this scale, well done. It should be a stand alone thread which can be referred to when anyone wants to give an example why / how they rate certain players.

 

[Fangs]

Wouldn't call Kalani Going an exciting signing at his age. But did win the award for best in cup which is something at least.

Seems like he can cover a bit of hooker too which is important for squad balance.

 

[Chins]

Wouldn't call Kalani Going an exciting signing at his age. But did win the award for best in cup which is something at least.

Seems like he can cover a bit of hooker too which is important for squad balance.

Straight into the 14 jersey

 

[Chins]

I like this this scale, well done. It should be a stand alone thread which can be referred to when anyone wants to give an example why / how they rate certain players.

Yeo goes up to 11

 

[betcats]

That warriors cup side did have an outstanding season so hopefully some of that can rub off on our boys, he mustve been doing something good as captain.

 

[Fangs]

Straight into the 14 jersey

In his highlights on Youtube he does quite a bit of ball playing close to the line. Its only in NSW cup but its something different. Could prove to be very useful.

Turning 29 soon so he would be a late bloomer. I usually back younger players to win out early in the pre-season but by the end of the year sometimes its the more experienced/hardened players who find their way into the squad.

 

[Luke Bowden]

Are you suggesting women dont know as much about footy as men?
What about JANE?

There is an exception to every rule!

 

[jane the pain]

There is an exception to every rule!

Hey Luke glad I'm living rent free in your head. @hindy111 happy now?

 

[betcats]

Feed him Jane!

 

[jane the pain]

Feed him Jane!

Nay, not worth it

 

[Luke Bowden]

Hey Luke glad I'm living rent free in your head. @hindy111 happy now?

I worry about you Jane, I hope you’re doing better.

 

[jane the pain]

I worry about you Jane, I hope you’re doing better.

Yet you felt the need to make comment?

 

[Luke Bowden]

Yet you felt the need to make comment?

Jane, The comment that I made was nice.

 

[jane the pain]

Jane, The comment that I made was nice.

So were the comments I made, however, you decided to get up in arms. Yours were riddled in condescension, and sarcasm.

Enjoy your day.

 

[hindy111]

Anyhows back on topic.
Hasn't Penrith already signed 2 forwards from the Warriors Cup side? WouldnI be right in saying this would be 3?

 

[Luke Bowden]

Anyhows back on topic.
Hasn't Penrith already signed 2 forwards from the Warriors Cup side? WouldnI be right in saying this would be 3?

Cogger and the two Warriors boys I think are confirmed.

Mason has long been rumoured, I know he’s keen to return to Penrith, so hopefully it can get done.

 

[betcats]

Feels like Mason we can wait and see tbh, like what happened with Milky this year. He seemingly hasnt got any clubds knocking down his door.

 

[Luke Bowden]

Feels like Mason we can wait and see tbh, like what happened with Milky this year. He seemingly hasnt got any clubds knocking down his door.

Yeah I suspect that might be the case.

Train and Trial if he decides to request a release.