Rumoured & Confirmed Signings (2025 Season)

[BossleyPanther]

This is a cut and paste from the DT article:

Trent Toelau is the most recognisable name among the Panthers train-and-triallists after making 12 appearances in the NRL in 2024. He was also named in the New Zealand squad for the Pacific Championships. Prop Austin Dias also has first grade experience, having made seven appearances for the Wests Tigers in 2022. The most exciting of the group is fullback Jaxen Edgar, who was ranked in the top 10 Australian schoolboys by this masthead two years ago.

TRAIN AND TRIAL SQUAD: Trent Toelau, Billy Scott, Austin Dias, David Fale, Jaxen Edgar

From my small amount of NSW cup games I watched last season I think Fale is one who will eventually kick on.

 

[Blade23]

This is a cut and paste from the DT article:

Trent Toelau is the most recognisable name among the Panthers train-and-triallists after making 12 appearances in the NRL in 2024. He was also named in the New Zealand squad for the Pacific Championships. Prop Austin Dias also has first grade experience, having made seven appearances for the Wests Tigers in 2022. The most exciting of the group is fullback Jaxen Edgar, who was ranked in the top 10 Australian schoolboys by this masthead two years ago.

TRAIN AND TRIAL SQUAD: Trent Toelau, Billy Scott, Austin Dias, David Fale, Jaxen Edgar

Telegraph are wrong. Toelau and Scott are on development deals. Both will be upgraded to the top 30 in 2026. Or earlier if they impress.

 

[Blade23]

I thought Zack lamont was meant to be on a train and trial contract as well

He is for next year.

 

[MugaB]

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/every-nrl-clubs-train-and-trial-players-heading-in-to-the-2025-preseason/news-story/bbfb4c73eefffbc5afa262e18f9c37df

Yeah it's not working (the remove paywall app)

 

[mxlegend99]

Not sure the Mbye hate. Yes past his best but you dont play origin and the amount of nrl he has and be shit haha.

Hed be a great back up and is much more accomplished and skillful then schnieder. I dont ever see schnieder being anything more than an nrl back up.

Mbye has almost 200nrl games and a few origins.

He would be a very very handy bloke to fill in if needed for injuries. Hes got a lot of experience and has always been in avg teams. With the amount of yardage our team makes i think he would actually be ok.

He played a third of his career for Tigers where he stood out as being exceptionally poor in a shit team. Anthony Griffin decided he would be a good fit for Dragons which says it all really.

Experience means nothing when you no longer have the ability to play at that level. Much rather a guy who still has ability and potential to improve.

we already have the following

Blaize Talagi
Trent Toelau
Daine Laurie
Brad Schneider
Jack Cole
Soni Luke
Luke Sommerton

We dont exactly lack in bench utility options to bother with a bloke who used to be decent half a decade ago.

Those players aren’t all perfect. But i dont see Mbye as better than any of them at this point in his career. If the intention is to move a couple on (Luke and Schneider for example) it would make a bit more sense to be interested in Mbye. But atm it just seems completely pointless.

 

[MugaB]

He played a third of his career for Tigers where he stood out as being exceptionally poor in a shit team. Anthony Griffin decided he would be a good fit for Dragons which says it all really.

Experience means nothing when you no longer have the ability to play at that level. Much rather a guy who still has ability and potential to improve.

we already have the following

Blaize Talagi
Trent Toelau
Daine Laurie
Brad Schneider
Jack Cole
Soni Luke
Luke Sommerton

We dont exactly lack in bench utility options to bother with a bloke who used to be decent half a decade ago.

Those players aren’t all perfect. But i dont see Mbye as better than any of them at this point in his career. If the intention is to move a couple on (Luke and Schneider for example) it would make a bit more sense to be interested in Mbye. But atm it just seems completely pointless.

I doubt they move on schnieder, especially since there's no romy, Nathan doing everything himself, if he gets injured, atleast schnieder has been there done that, not saying we win a comp with him, but we are definitely not spooning because he is there

 

[GowersDallyM]

I'd have Mbye as a bench utility and when Cleary plays origin or injured he will play halves. Don't forget he did play 3 origin games so if he is cheap, that's some good experience bring in.

I'd already have him above Cole, Laurie, Schnieder, Luke and Sunmerton as bench utility as he has some size. Any player would look good in our team tbh.

 

[ColdWetPanther]

For the uninitiated (apologies if explained in the article, but I can’t access) what is the difference between a train-and-trial and a development deal.

 

[ColdWetPanther]

The hate he got was very silly and that's coming from an emotional f**kwit like me

He knew what to do on most occasions, but sometimes lacked the polish to pull it off.

 

[snickers007]

For the uninitiated (apologies if explained in the article, but I can’t access) what is the difference between a train-and-trial and a development deal.

A training contract is a low paid deal ($1200 per week), with no job security. They are essentially coming to training to try and earn a better deal. Typically they only run from November when training starts until the end of preseason games. Players on training deals can play NRL, but only from Round 11. Although I don't think many teams would maintain any training contracts once the season proper starts. They would just be upgraded to a NSW Cup or NRL contract, or let go.

A development deal (or Supplementary list contract) is for players who have come through the junior system of a club, but have not yet broken into the NSW Cup or NRL scene (played less than 6 games). Allows them job security, and the ability to train with the main squad. Paid $80k a year. Can play NRL from Round 1, and receive a bonus $3k per game.

The Supplementary List has it's own salary cap $650k per year. Each club must have at least 4, maximum 6 on the list.

 

[IcemanCleary]

Penrith only have 3 development players listed on Zero Tackle so who would be their fourth

 

[ColdWetPanther]

A training contract is a low paid deal ($1200 per week), with no job security. They are essentially coming to training to try and earn a better deal. Typically they only run from November when training starts until the end of preseason games. Players on training deals can play NRL, but only from Round 11. Although I don't think many teams would maintain any training contracts once the season proper starts. They would just be upgraded to a NSW Cup or NRL contract, or let go.

A development deal (or Supplementary list contract) is for players who have come through the junior system of a club, but have not yet broken into the NSW Cup or NRL scene (played less than 6 games). Allows them job security, and the ability to train with the main squad. Paid $80k a year. Can play NRL from Round 1, and receive a bonus $3k per game.

The Supplementary List has it's own salary cap $650k per year. Each club must have at least 4, maximum 6 on the list.

Thank you.

 

[Whino]

Penrith only have 3 development players listed on Zero Tackle so who would be their fourth

Probably gets figured out once pre-season training starts.

 

[snickers007]

Penrith only have 3 development players listed on Zero Tackle so who would be their fourth

Billy Phillips, Billy Scott, Riley Price, Trent Toelau according to the info I've found. Some are development just for this year and then Top 30 after.

Toelau is surprising because of the amount of NRL he played last year, but I think he signed the deal before his debut.

 

[Kilkenny]

Billy Phillips, Billy Scott, Riley Price, Trent Toelau according to the info I've found. Some are development just for this year and then Top 30 after.

Toelau is surprising because of the amount of NRL he played last year, but I think he signed the deal before his debut.

I really like the look of Billy Phillips, I think if he has the work ethic, builds up his body, he will be a very good NRL player. Similar build, body shape, to Yeo, and not dissimilar in style, albeit he has player exclusively in the forwards on the occasions I have watched him unlike Yeo who did play occasionally in the outside backs as a youngster.

 

[Whino]

Riley Price is top 30 next year according to NRL.com.

 

[Kilkenny]

I tend to think there is a card to be dealt, whether we bring into a new recruit pre season or hold fire and wait till mid season and see how things are playing out. I think we probably have some cap space and I think an extra middle is probably where we need to boost our stocks. Despite some huge loses the squad still looks very strong with plenty of youngsters on the up and up.

 

[Chins get the wins]

I tend to think there is a card to be dealt, whether we bring into a new recruit pre season or hold fire and wait till mid season and see how things are playing out. I think we probably have some cap space and I think an extra middle is probably where we need to boost our stocks. Despite some huge loses the squad still looks very strong with plenty of youngsters on the up and up.

Papali’i, Sorro and even Martin are just as effective in the middle.
Garner has 100% earned a starting spot in the backrow

 

[MugaB]

Probably gets figured out once pre-season training starts.

Sounds like blaize talagis defence

 

[PANTHERMIKE]

Sounds like blaize talagis defence

Did he sleep with you wife or something?
The carry on towards him from you is next level..