Rumoured & Confirmed Signings (2025 Season)

[betcats]

We could very well be left in a hole.

We have 6 edge backrowers in our Top 30:
2x signed until 2027 - Martin and Papali'i
2x signed until 2026 (but given permission to shop around) - Sorenson and Garner
2x off contract this year - Geyer and Hassett

And 2 more in our extended squad who have yet to debut - Zac Lipowicz (already signed with SL) and Riley Wake
And then a few that are Flegg aged.

We need 4 NRL standard edge backrowers to get through the season - not withstanding long-term injuries.
Yet we're facing the possibility of only having 2 left come Nov 1.

What happens if both Geyer and Hassett sign else where? Do we then go back to Soro and Garns and tell them that we're pulling their permission to look elsewhere? What if they were days away from getting themselves an extra $500k? I can't imagine that would go down real well.

What if we release Garns and Sorro, expecting Hassett and/or Geyer to re-sign, and they get stupid offers from a desperate club like the Tigers?

Will we only agree to release one of Sorro or Garns? First one to get a good deal gets the golden handshake?

All sounds a bit risky to me.

Where has it been said Sorro is free to leave? I dont think that has been reported anywhere. At the end of the day if the club has given Garner permission then they are aware if what is happening so we wont be left in a hole. All those what ifs you are pulling out are already being considered, he isnt springing a request to leave on us in march or april like Fish did when we though we had him locked up for years.

 

[Chins]

Soro is the one to move on if possible. Can't stay fit anymore. Love the bloke but he should go win a Man of Steel award in the UK

 

[Port Panther]

Problem is if we don't move on the old boys young ones like the twins who have signed with Dargons won't see a pathway for themselves. We have already been pillaged by basket case clubs .

 

[betcats]

Soro is the one to move on if possible. Can't stay fit anymore. Love the bloke but he should go win a Man of Steel award in the UK

Yeah i would also but this is where it gets a bit unfortunate for Garns. Sorro is probably not going to have clubs chasing him like Garner is. Garner has a chance to load up one last time the biggest deal he can get. Sorro is past that, its extremely unlikely anyone will offer him more than he is getting from us. With Sorro its does become us trying to push him out, with Garner it think the club know they arent extending him so they are letting him see what he can get now, if he decides to request out ok, if he wants to see out the deal then thats great.

Sorro is very likely playing out his deal then retiring taking a very big paycut if he wants to keep playing.

 

[Bob]

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Yeah i would also but this is where it gets a bit unfortunate for Garns. Sorro is probably not going to have clubs chasing him like Garner is. Garner has a chance to load up one last time the biggest deal he can get. Sorro is past that, its extremely unlikely anyone will offer him more than he is getting from us. With Sorro its does become us trying to push him out, with Garner it think the club know they arent extending him so they are letting him see what he can get now, if he decides to request out ok, if he wants to see out the deal then thats great.

Sorro is very likely playing out his deal then retiring taking a very big paycut if he wants to keep playing.

Sorro is in the sights of a few super league clubs, he would kill it over there

 

[The Realist]

Lukey disagrees but I can't see a single other player in our squad who can offer what Garner does. Others get to watch more juniors than me so maybe we do.

I don't see how holding a guy to a contract is some evil thing

We held onto a young Matty Burton for an extra year than he wanted. It turns out everyone but especially Mat were winners in that decision.

I know the situation is different - it was an extremely young player vs an experienced journeyman who is 4/5ths through his footy career but still we did it. We held him to his contract - despite him wanting to leave and we were considered arseholes for keeping him to it.

 

[BossleyPanther]

The worry is hes openly said he's not keen on the middle, bit soft really.......

Has he? I didn't know that cheers

 

[Chins]

Has he? I didn't know that cheers

The soft part is obviously taking the piss but yeah I think it's time he moved in

 

[BxTom]

We held onto a young Matty Burton for an extra year than he wanted. It turns out everyone but especially Mat were winners in that decision.

I know the situation is different - it was an extremely young player vs an experienced journeyman who is 4/5ths through his footy career but still we did it. We held him to his contract - despite him wanting to leave and we were considered arseholes for keeping him to it.

Ever considered the possibility that Matt was happy to honour his contract?

 

[Chins]

Ever considered the possibility that Matt was happy to honour his contract?

Doesn't really matter, they are airtight.

 

[Oldpanther86]

Most comments on Garner are true. He's been our best second rower for 12 - 24 months. He's insane value for money and keeping him for his contract isn't a problem. Also though his age is a factor and if he can get a better deal he should be allowed to go for it as he won't have many more in his career to bolster his post playing career finances when hes still got 30+ years until retirement age

 

[chrisD]

Doueihi would be an upgrade at 14, big one, but I'd rather we look at someone who could play hooker and give you 10-15 at lock for that utility position than someone who is more a back. I suppose if our backs cover Garner goes then Doueihi at 14 makes more sense.

He's playing lock this week. Hmmmmm.

 

[Chins]

Doueihi would be an upgrade at 14, big one, but I'd rather we look at someone who could play hooker and give you 10-15 at lock for that utility position than someone who is more a back. I suppose if our backs cover Garner goes then Doueihi at 14 makes more sense.

I wouldn't even look at someone with his injury history.

 

[Oldpanther86]

Doueihi would be an upgrade at 14, big one, but I'd rather we look at someone who could play hooker and give you 10-15 at lock for that utility position than someone who is more a back. I suppose if our backs cover Garner goes then Doueihi at 14 makes more sense.

He's playing lock this week. Hmmmmm.

If we're doing that might as well get a younger bloke who has knees and can do what we need. I still like Cole for the 14 hes not big but hes still a rock in defence.

 

[Bob]

If we're doing that might as well get a younger bloke who has knees and can do what we need. I still like Cole for the 14 hes not big but hes still a rock in defence.

If we don’t give him a decent go I can see him crossing the Nullarbor with Gardiner

 

[Munky]

Cole was pretty ordinary in defence against the Roosters in round 2.

Made Squiddy look like it was 2018 again.

 

[Hairy Hamburger]

Everyone remember Panthers let Zac Hosking go whilst still under contract to take up a longer term deal with the Raiders? He was a journeyman, on low wages, and exceptional value at the time. Wish he had of stayed. My opinion, that was a dumb move. Geyer, Riki, Hassett, Eisehuth and Price on the payroll, yet we let Hosking leave who was very unlucky not to be in the Grand Final 17. Going great for the Raiders. May just get his Grand Final start this year.

 

[Oldpanther86]

Cole was pretty ordinary in defence against the Roosters in round 2.

Made Squiddy look like it was 2018 again.

To be fair everyone was ordinary to start the year. They didn't look like they'd trained at all.

 

[Chins]

Everyone remember Panthers let Zac Hosking go whilst still under contract to take up a longer term deal with the Raiders? He was a journeyman, on low wages, and exceptional value at the time. Wish he had of stayed. My opinion, that was a dumb move. Geyer, Riki, Hassett, Eisehuth and Price on the payroll, yet we let Hosking leave who was very unlucky not to be in the Grand Final 17. Going great for the Raiders. May just get his Grand Final start this year.

The club has done fantastic but some believe they have been flawless and can do no wrong. They also believe we have had zero luck during this run, every move has been perfectly planned.......

 

[Hairy Hamburger]

Are the Panthers thinking of Doueihi as next seasons lock forward and pushing Yeo to the front row?
Will be getting harder for Yeo to play 80 Minutes every game season after season. Thoughts?