2026 rumoured and confirmed signings

[Fangs]

My biggest issue with Smith is that he doesn't have the cannonball run into the defensive line when the team needs it.

He literally plods to the line, he has great footwork but his contact is currently pretty poor for a middle.

As you said he's under one hundred games and may prove me wrong.

Yeah he doesn't bend the line a huge amount.

Does plenty of other things right though. His work off the ball is always great. From what I see he has plenty of talk as well and he is one of the younger forwards in the side. And someone likes him because he keeps getting picked around the NSW and Australian sides.

Our club is a great judge of talent as well. Best in the game I'd argue. Doesn't mean we always get it right but I'm pretty hopeful on Smith.

 

[betcats]

The average age of the forward pack is becoming a problem we need to refresh in age, they are getting to old collectively. You cant have your best 3 or 4 forwards all 30 and over(which is where we are headed next season or two at best) its just asking for trouble.

Whoever is next up needs to be in the mix now, we can wait till all our starter are 32 to start getting the next gen playing time. This is why i think Sorro needs to be outside the 17 if any of the young guys are close to pushing him out. The one big fear I have for Ivan and our long term competitiveness is he will stay loyal until the average age of the team is over 30, which is the opposite of how we built a dynasty.

 

[Chins]

The average age of the forward pack is becoming a problem we need to refresh in age, they are getting to old collectively. You cant have your best 3 or 4 forwards all 30 and over(which is where we are headed next season or two at best) its just asking for trouble.

Whoever is next up needs to be in the mix now, we can wait till all our starter are 32 to start getting the next gen playing time. This is why i think Sorro needs to be outside the 17 if any of the young guys are close to pushing him out. The one big fear I have for Ivan and our long term competitiveness is he will stay loyal until the average age of the team is over 30, which is the opposite of how we built a dynasty.

One of the reasons I'd be happy to let Martin go as well

 

[Luke Bowden]

any word with whats happening with garner, cole, smith and jenkins?
surprised smith is yet to be formally re-signed.

If Perth or PNG aren’t trying to get Milky, they are nuts. He’s excellent value

 

[Luke Bowden]

One of the reasons I'd be happy to let Martin go as well

Madness

 

[YoungPanther]

If Perth or PNG aren’t trying to get Milky, they are nuts. He’s excellent value

Was told Perth sounded him out, but after the Knights debacle, once bitten twice shy. He is hoping to justify that he should be sticking around a while longer. I guess it will be up to Penrith if they want to keep him beyond this year.

 

[Oldpanther86]

 

[Chins]

Its time to start easing Lord Yeo's minutes, let's see what Smith can do at 13

 

[BossleyPanther]

Its time to start easing Lord Yeo's minutes, let's see what Smith can do at 13

I agree

 

[BossleyPanther]

Martin has peaked. We have some good players who can easily fill his role. It's more of a salary cap thing and value for him. Good player but not an essential worker

 

[Chins]

Martin has peaked. We have some good players who can easily fill his role. It's more of a salary cap thing and value for him. Good player but not an essential worker

That's the point. An Australian and NSW rep should win us a few games a year on his own but its never happens

 

[John Hamblin]

That's the point. An Australian and NSW rep should win us a few games a year on his own but its never happens

Clive Churchill medal in 2024????????????

 

[Chins]

Clive Churchill medal in 2024????????????

Always plays well in the finals but coasts all year to get there.

 

[age.s]

Martin has peaked. We have some good players who can easily fill his role. It's more of a salary cap thing and value for him. Good player but not an essential worker

Hes 29 (soon), not 34.

 

[Luke Bowden]

That's the point. An Australian and NSW rep should win us a few games a year on his own but its never happens

Your dislike of Martin is nuts.

He had a poor season by his standards and you want to swing the axe. Our entire team would down last year.

Marto looks really good on the training paddock this season and I think he’ll have a cracking season.

 

[Chins]

Your dislike of Martin is nuts.

He had a poor season by his standards and you want to swing the axe. Our entire team would down last year.

Marto looks really good on the training paddock this season and I think he’ll have a cracking season.

I love the bloke mate but he really does go through the motions every year until Origin and then September, its like clockwork.

 

[Chins]

Hes 29 (soon), not 34.

Should be heading into the middle

 

[Luke Bowden]

I love the bloke mate but he really does go through the motions every year until Origin and then September, it’s like clockwork.

I think he he’s under instruction to tone it down during the regular season , ever since he had that hammy / mystery leg thing that kept him out for ages a few years back.

I know he’s done a shit load of work on his wheels over the offseason, I for all accounts he looks a lot more stable as a result.

 

[hindy111]

Smith has no venom in his runs as a middle.

Ball playing forwards are good to have however any middle forward needs to be making 100m to 150m a game.

More if they want rep player money.

I'm not sure Smith has shown enough to get a rep level contract.

I disagree. Penrith formula is a fullback who runs for 250mtrs, TWO WINGERs who rack up close to 200mtrs each , 2 x powerfull centres who clock up 120-150mtrs and two halves who clock up 70+mtrs.

I'd say that from your 1 - 7 you averaging about 400mtrs more then many other sides. That means forwards can do less work in attack and be fresh in defense to pound the shit out of sides. They wouldn't be so fresh if making 150mtrs a game.

 

[hindy111]

He always looks gassed after 10 minutes. I never got the hype with him but figured I was missing something.

I dont think he is awesome but he defends well, can ball play and a big motor. His run game is average however. Still I think much better then Liam Henry who I dont get the hype around.