Season 2025

[Black Panther]

I agree with many aspects of your submission.

I’m now going to rate some of the players, hopefully cause some upset, disagreement and controversy!

Bula.

Maybe the weakest link in the side. I prefer my fullbacks to be much more dominant, like a Gutho, Ponga or GI.

Will have his chance to use his speed and skills up in the line in 2025.

tsp rating 5/10 Expectation 6/10 X factor D

Tito

Panthers fought hard to keep him, but like JL they underestimated his value.

Has great pace, elusiveness and is a bit of a craftsman. Reminds me a bit of nofo at his peak.

He’s a sub marquee player and it’s going to be nice to know we have a fighting chance if we hit space again.

Not given a lot of attention, but his positioning in attack is more than good.

7/10. Expectation: should improve. X factor C

Api

Unique factor player in his twilight. We’ve seen him break the line hundred times with no support. He’s big on combinations and the power of player understandings.

Has said he will have more time next season, which will suit him as he slows down.

Prone to the occasional brain snap, led an undisciplined side last year, but we are in new territory. One of the smug mafia.

Im Ok with him staying as captain. I think he’s earned it, despite fierce competition.

A difficult season last year, but he made it better.

8/10. Expectation 8.5/10. X factor A

No one under estimated the value of Luai or Turuva at Penrith. The simple fact is, the lower teams will pay overs for players to get them.
Good luck to the players for cashing in I say.
We got a replacement for Luai in Talagi, and we have better than Turuva in both McLean brothers. It’s the nature of the beast.

 

[Tigerm]

No one under estimated the value of Luai or Turuva at Penrith. The simple fact is, the lower teams will pay overs for players to get them.
Good luck to the players for cashing in I say.
We got a replacement for Luai in Talagi, and we have better than Turuva in both McLean brothers. It’s the nature of the beast.

Just keep believing that, if it gets you through the off season.

 

[Tigerm]

Confirming what a few have said.
Edit: Just reading that Sione Fainu is not yet confirmed.

 

[Vic Mackey]

No one under estimated the value of Luai or Turuva at Penrith. The simple fact is, the lower teams will pay overs for players to get them.
Good luck to the players for cashing in I say.
We got a replacement for Luai in Talagi, and we have better than Turuva in both McLean brothers. It’s the nature of the beast.

I don’t think Penrith will miss Turuva at all. The mcleans look very promising, more like centre from what I’ve seen but very talented. Clearly neither are better than Tito now, considering they were playing NSW cup.

Luai would be the biggest loss Penrith have had so far. Everyone has been saying how much pressure is on him this year, i think it’s the opposite. Jaromes coming to the worst team of the last 3 years, it’s not hard for him to improve them. However if Penrith don’t win the Comp or come top 2 then it’s impossible to say they haven’t regressed without Luai and maybe Nathan isn’t as good as everyone says. It’s worth nothing Jaromes winning % without Nathan is 17% higher then vise Versa.

Blaize looks good, however did play centre most of his juniors and parramatta saw fullback as his future. They preferred Asi to him at 5/8 last year, probably as TalagI was allergic to tackling.

‘Paying overs’ is an easy phrase to throw around when a player is missed, dragons fans used it on every player they failed to sign this off season. At the end of the day players can be worth different amounts to different teams, and the market dictates their value. When we paid $1.2m for Luai a year everyone laughed. If he was in the market today half the teams in the comp would fall over themselves to get him for that.

it will be interestin, you can’t fault penriths salary cap management over the last 5 years. I still have them top 2 in 25.

 

[simmo1]

How insecure do you have to be to come into the wooden spooners forum in f**king January to sook about them signing players for OvErS?

 

[Tigerm]

I think the pennies are at risk of becoming another Manly, if there star (Cleary) doesn't turn up, they will start to struggle.
They've obviously lost Luai but with both him and Fisher Harris gone, they will be hard to replace for on-field leadership.
They still have a few great players, but the tank is getting empty.
That's footy, you can't stay on top for ever.

 

[Aliceinwonderland]

No one under estimated the value of Luai or Turuva at Penrith. The simple fact is, the lower teams will pay overs for players to get them.
Good luck to the players for cashing in I say.
We got a replacement for Luai in Talagi, and we have better than Turuva in both McLean brothers. It’s the nature of the beast.

When teams are successful lower ranked teams come calling with bulging cheque books. It's a fact of life. This makes it difficult for the higher team to match this incoming offers. It's the way of the world.

Part of me, is thrilled that these riff boys are setting themselves and their families up for life. Just like Kiks, Critta have done previously.

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

R&R is tricky,

I think the pennies are at risk of becoming another Manly, if there star (Cleary) doesn't turn up, they will start to struggle.
They've obviously lost Luai but with both him and Fisher Harris gone, they will be hard to replace for on-field leadership.
They still have a few great players, but the tank is getting empty.
That's footy, you can't stay on top for ever.

Nate’s had that serious operation/S. I expect him to used quite judiciously this season and there’s no ready replacement.

They’ve done a good job, but not factoring Luai in their future planning seems to be a grave error of judgment.

I suspect he will have a much better season than Nate.

 

[Aliceinwonderland]

I don’t think Penrith will miss Turuva at all. The mcleans look very promising, more like centre from what I’ve seen but very talented. Clearly neither are better than Tito now, considering they were playing NSW cup.

Luai would be the biggest loss Penrith have had so far. Everyone has been saying how much pressure is on him this year, i think it’s the opposite. Jaromes coming to the worst team of the last 3 years, it’s not hard for him to improve them. However if Penrith don’t win the Comp or come top 2 then it’s impossible to say they haven’t regressed without Luai and maybe Nathan isn’t as good as everyone says. It’s worth nothing Jaromes winning % without Nathan is 17% higher then vise Versa.

Blaize looks good, however did play centre most of his juniors and parramatta saw fullback as his future. They preferred Asi to him at 5/8 last year, probably as TalagI was allergic to tackling.

‘Paying overs’ is an easy phrase to throw around when a player is missed, dragons fans used it on every player they failed to sign this off season. At the end of the day players can be worth different amounts to different teams, and the market dictates their value. When we paid $1.2m for Luai a year everyone laughed. If he was in the market today half the teams in the comp would fall over themselves to get him for that.

it will be interestin, you can’t fault penriths salary cap management over the last 5 years. I still have them top 2 in 25.

I agree Luai will be Penrith's biggest loss to cover in season 25.

It's going to be fascinating to see how it all pans out.

Yes, your right too about Penrith not being able to stay at the top forever.

Although it was also said when Api, Critta, Kiks all left in previous seasons, and we all know how that turned out.

What will help Penrith's cause is it's junior system....something that clubs like Manly don't have, and won't have in the future, (because I've heard they are no longer aligned to Blacktown Workers)

You're also right a lot hangs on the health of Cleary, Yeo and Edwards.

Shall be a ripper of a season/

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

I was reading that article where we got 6 of the 8 we wanted. But we got May for Christmas and he’s better than the guys we missed.

Something went wrong at the roosters. I don’t think saying you don’t like playing sometimes is enough. They’d be a lot of players, especially good ones, who might get a bit mentally fatigued over an unforgiving season.

We know pretty much every player is carrying an injury of some description.

Hes here and enjoying it, that’s enough, but I’d love to know. Even to avoid a repeat situation. He’s a player who is building. He can get a lot better too.

Signing May is an incredible stroke of luck and good recruitment.

It’s a team of strangers mostly, the vibe seems Ok for now.

 

[Black Panther]

How insecure do you have to be to come into the wooden spooners forum in f**king January to sook about them signing players for OvErS?

Penrith are 4 peat Champions, I am hardly insecure. So you think the Tigers didn’t pay overs? Like I said, both players will be replaced. But Luai will definitely be missed no doubt.

 

[Tigerm]

Penrith are 4 peat Champions, I am hardly insecure. So you think the Tigers didn’t pay overs? Like I said, both players will be replaced. But Luai will definitely be missed no doubt.

It’s only overs, if he doesn’t do the job we paid him to do.
I’m confident he will.
I don’t see a problem, clubs are paying forwards a $1m a season, we had the money and didn’t lose any player we wanted to keep.
I think we’re all happy.

 

[Tiger05]

Signing May is an incredible stroke of luck and good recruitment.

I wasn't sure in relation to this signing but now I think he may be one of the premier props in the game and on a value for money basis maybe the best signing we've made for next season.

We are all looking at Luai and we need him to be huge for us but I think a better pack, better outside backs plus guys like Galvin and Bula improving is just as important for us next season.

 

[Tiger05]

Penrith are 4 peat Champions, I am hardly insecure. So you think the Tigers didn’t pay overs?

Not really. I mean are you paying Nathan overs ?

 

[Nutz]

Reply not working atm.
I think Luai should be team captain
Api club captain.
Not bagging Api, but he leads and no one follows.
I think Luai will insist they do there job.

Interesting point Tm.
I think Jarome by nature will steer the ship on the field. He's a yapper and plays very much in the moment.
The way I see it, the club captain's role/title isn't like what it was when we played. Every player has a voice on and off the field and the club has a leadership squad that are there for the young players to learn from at training.
I think Jarome has the C in 2026. Atm, the two will be very much a duo act. One a live wire, energizer bunny and the other calling for calm and focus.
The captain's role is very much a media thing especially at post game pressers. Either one handles themselves ok in front of the camera.
However has the C after their name I'm happy.

 

[Tiger Ted]

Interesting point Tm.
I think Jarome by nature will steer the ship on the field. He's a yapper and plays very much in the moment.
The way I see it, the club captain's role/title isn't like what it was when we played. Every player has a voice on and off the field and the club has a leadership squad that are there for the young players to learn from at training.
I think Jarome has the C in 2026. Atm, the two will be very much a duo act. One a live wire, energizer bunny and the other calling for calm and focus.
The captain's role is very much a media thing especially at post game pressers. Either one handles themselves ok in front of the camera.
However has the C after their name I'm happy.

I also like Tm believe JL should b team captain.He is in his prime is extroverted will have a huge +ve influence on the kids is a natural leader amongst the Polynesians will touch the ball more than anyone else & unlike Api will play for 80 each wk.

Also very importantly for this train wreck of a club JL is incompatible with losing & is an innate winner who is hugely motivated to succeed

 

[Vic Mackey]

Id leave Api as captain for now. Hes done the hard yards the last two years and will finally get a bit more help. The temptation is there after seeing how great a job Crichton did at Canterbury, however IMO neither Burton or Mahoney were stand outs for captain in the first place. Luai can still be a leader without the C next to his name, would be VC and take over onfield when Api has a rest.

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

I think Api also has a bit of confidence in himself and spoke well last year as captain in press conferences and beyond.

He is attuned to the media game, very good at it.

Remembering that it was a dreadful year and it’s hard for a captain to front up and excel in those circumstances.

He’s a great friend of JL’s, I think everybody has an understanding of JLs awesomeness.He doesn’t need the c.

Plus a retained player, let’s stay composed and on course.

JL will be given all kinds of freedoms I assure you.

It’s APIs to lose.

 

[Tigerm]

Id leave Api as captain for now. Hes done the hard yards the last two years and will finally get a bit more help. The temptation is there after seeing how great a job Crichton did at Canterbury, however IMO neither Burton or Mahoney were stand outs for captain in the first place. Luai can still be a leader without the C next to his name, would be VC and take over onfield when Api has a rest.

I certainly have no problem with either, but my concern was, Api lead but no one followed, where I feel Luai will insist they do.
I just think, the club has done some work for this season, I'd hate to see going down the gurgler and Api actually gets demoted, besides the fact, that ideally you would like the captain on the field at all times.

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

I certainly have no problem with either, but my concern was, Api lead but no one followed, where I feel Luai will insist they do.
I just think, the club has done some work for this season, I'd hate to see going down the gurgler and Api actually gets demoted, besides the fact, that ideally you would like the captain on the field at all times.

I don’t think it’s APIs fault that players weren’t ready for his line breaks so many times. It’s an awareness Benji needs to instill and other players expect.

Most of the time, Api is going to be tackled or wrapped up so it’s a high energy play over the course of the game and preserving energy is critical these days, thanks to coaching designed to sap it.

When origin meant something, there was a lot of tackling on suspicion!