PENRITH, meet your future.
Dylan Edwards and Tyrone May are ready to help lead the Panthers into Friday night’s semi-final clash with the Broncos in Brisbane, as Penrith officials work to re-sign the rising stars to new long-term deals.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal Panthers general manager of football Phil Gould is negotiating contract extensions for the cut-price duo to stop rival clubs from poaching the 21-year-olds.
The Panthers are confident they can keep Edwards and May, who are both contracted until the end of 2018, regardless of whether
captain Matt Moylan stays at the club.
Edwards has become an instant star this year at fullback, which was the catalyst for Moylan’s move to five-eighth.
Moylan’s halves replacement May has quickly formed a strong scrumbase bond with halfback Nathan Cleary, who is negotiating a five-year extension.
Moylan remains unavailable for Friday night’s Suncorp Stadium semi-final as he undergoes further counselling for personal issues, with no guarantee he will remain at Penrith despite being contract until the end of 2021.
Rival clubs will be able to negotiate with Edwards and May from November 1, but both players have stated their desire to remain with the Panthers.
“I would love to stay here forever, to be honest,” May told The Daily Telegraph. “I grew up here, all my family is here in Penrith.
“I’m a Minchinbury junior — I would love to be here for the rest of my life.
“Whatever happens moving forward, I think both of us (he and Edwards) are really happy being here. We have come through the system here and I don’t think we’re looking to move anywhere.
“But I’m not worrying about that (negotiations) too much. I will let the staff and team management look after it.”
May desperately wants Moylan to remain a Panther.
“He has been a massive help,” May said. “I can’t thank Matt enough. As far as I know, he is here and he hasn’t spoken about being anywhere else.
“Player welfare is the main key here. The club and all the players are fully behind him.”
May has emerged quickly and brilliantly. He is a champion-in-waiting.
“I didn’t expect to play first grade this year to be honest,” May said. “I just wanted to find some form in NSW Cup and then aim for a shot next year.
“The club has shown some faith in our young boys and I think it is starting to pay off.”
Edwards also spoke about staying at Pepper Stadium long-term.
“I love the club and it would be nice to stay but I haven’t spoken about it. That’s my manager’s job,” Edwards said. “This is where I feel comfortable at the moment.
“It would definitely be nice to stay together but sometimes it doesn’t work out like that. But, in an ideal world, it would be good if we could all stay together. I am loving (my footy) — it’s a dream come true. We are really enjoying our footy.”
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...s/news-story/fe54b348152824bfd8244cb230d585c0