Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

Penrith will be forced to fend off four rival clubs – and possibly a fifth – in a dogfight to retain NSW back-rower Liam Martin.

And a proposed, yet so far declined, upgrade for Martin has been described as a “sticking point” by his manager.

Martin, 25, comes off contract after 2023 but is seeking an upgrade for next season.

The Daily Telegraph has been told St George Illawarra, Wests Tigers, Melbourne Storm and Cronulla have shown interest in Martin, who played all three State of Origin games this season.

Martin’s future may well depend on whether the Panthers can find some additional money for an upgrade next season.

Penrith has already lost Viliame Kikau (Bulldogs), Api Koroisau (Wests Tigers), Sean O’Sullivan (Dolphins) and J’Maine Hopgood (Parramatta) for next season.

While reluctant to discuss his client’s negotiations, Martin’s manager Al Gainey said: “We realise Penrith is under a tight situation but Liam is certainly deserving of a very good contract in upcoming talks.

“The club’s reluctance to be able to offer an upgrade at this stage is a little bit of a sticking point.”

Martin scored Penrith’s matchwinning try late in the game against Souths last Friday night at Accor Stadium. He had 16 runs for 148 metres including six tackle breaks.

Penrith is desperate to retain Martin and Martin wants to remain – provided the adequate finances can be found by the club.

Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon is a known Martin fan although the Sharks would struggle to fit the back-rower in under the club’s salary cap.

It is understood Martin and Gainey will hold further talks after Penrith’s match against the Warriors on Friday night at BlueBet Stadium.

Panthers and NSW teammates Stephen Crichton and Brian To’o also come off contract after next season.

Penrith will also need to decide whether the club will retain forward Spencer Leniu and winger Charlie Stains.

An upgrade for Martin may be possible if Penrith move a player in coming weeks.

Melbourne may elect against pursuing Martin given the club will be throwing bags of cash to retain gun player Cam Munster.

Martin’s heroics against Souths were even more meritorious given he rolled an ankle against Melbourne in round 22.

Asked about his decisive try, Martin said: “It was my first matchwinner.”

Penrith claimed the NRL minor premiership with their win over Souths.
 
Earl said:
He is our best winger but we also signed him to a massive contract. Ideally we could spend the money elsewhere. We also have other options there who aren't far off what Nofo brings.
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It would be hard to find a good finisher and yard man like Nofa for under 500k especially with projected cap increases & the ability to use his long service allowance (if Brooks doesn't stay he is the only one that will be eligible).
 
WT2K said:
Penrith will be forced to fend off four rival clubs – and possibly a fifth – in a dogfight to retain NSW back-rower Liam Martin.

And a proposed, yet so far declined, upgrade for Martin has been described as a “sticking point” by his manager.

Martin, 25, comes off contract after 2023 but is seeking an upgrade for next season.

The Daily Telegraph has been told St George Illawarra, Wests Tigers, Melbourne Storm and Cronulla have shown interest in Martin, who played all three State of Origin games this season.

Martin’s future may well depend on whether the Panthers can find some additional money for an upgrade next season.

Penrith has already lost Viliame Kikau (Bulldogs), Api Koroisau (Wests Tigers), Sean O’Sullivan (Dolphins) and J’Maine Hopgood (Parramatta) for next season.

While reluctant to discuss his client’s negotiations, Martin’s manager Al Gainey said: “We realise Penrith is under a tight situation but Liam is certainly deserving of a very good contract in upcoming talks.

“The club’s reluctance to be able to offer an upgrade at this stage is a little bit of a sticking point.”

Martin scored Penrith’s matchwinning try late in the game against Souths last Friday night at Accor Stadium. He had 16 runs for 148 metres including six tackle breaks.

Penrith is desperate to retain Martin and Martin wants to remain – provided the adequate finances can be found by the club.

Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon is a known Martin fan although the Sharks would struggle to fit the back-rower in under the club’s salary cap.

It is understood Martin and Gainey will hold further talks after Penrith’s match against the Warriors on Friday night at BlueBet Stadium.

Panthers and NSW teammates Stephen Crichton and Brian To’o also come off contract after next season.

Penrith will also need to decide whether the club will retain forward Spencer Leniu and winger Charlie Stains.

An upgrade for Martin may be possible if Penrith move a player in coming weeks.

Melbourne may elect against pursuing Martin given the club will be throwing bags of cash to retain gun player Cam Munster.

Martin’s heroics against Souths were even more meritorious given he rolled an ankle against Melbourne in round 22.

Asked about his decisive try, Martin said: “It was my first matchwinner.”

Penrith claimed the NRL minor premiership with their win over Souths.
Click to expand...

Been praying for a miracle to snag him for a long time now....
See how effective our 5 tackles and a bomb are when you have chasers that actually work to contest the receiving of the ball.
Him and Papalii are among the best in the game at kick chase....
Either side would be amazing!!

Although. I quite like the Idea of Martin in the Middle...
He'd probably be there if not for Yeo.
 
batboy said:
Been praying for a miracle to snag him for a long time now....
See how effective our 5 tackles and a bomb are when you have chasers that actually work to contest the receiving of the ball.
Him and Papalii are among the best in the game at kick chase....
Either side would be amazing!!

Although. I quite like the Idea of Martin in the Middle...
He'd probably be there if not for Yeo.
Click to expand...
Dean Ritchie also said this morning WT are chasing Liam Martin. Contracted to Penrith in 2023 but said WT would look for an early release...
 
A busted Kenny has still done more this year than Nofa has, he’s our best metre eater winger and he’s our best finishing winger, he’s definitely a player who we should hope stick around past his current contract, I don’t get the hate towards him by a handful of people.
 
Earl said:
I agree with Tamou but I don't think our front row is very poor.

Stefano, Pole and Twal are all good. Joe O is good. Blore from Sheens mouth may go into the middle and perform. Matamua, Musgrove and Seyfarth are all viable options as well.

I think Hastings playing 13 means we can do with less middle forwards. Injuries are a concern though.

I'd rather stick with that front row and get a quality edge backrower and some quality spine players.
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Joffa is okay, but like Tamou and Twal he lacks impact with his runs and is still unsigned for next year. IMO we have too many of those types of players and need more impact in the middle.

Blore could do a job in the middle, but as it stands he'll be needed in the second row.
 
Lynchyyy said:
A busted Kenny has still done more this year than Nofa has, he’s our best metre eater winger and he’s our best finishing winger, he’s definitely a player who we should hope stick around past his current contract, I don’t get the hate towards him by a handful of people.
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I Like Kenny but he played 58 mins against Newcastle and could barely move right from kick off check the replays he should have ruled himself out
Then he was out against Sharks but back in against Roosters and played 31 mins and hobbled off . He has injuries and needs to get everything fixed once and for all
 
Lynchyyy said:
A busted Kenny has still done more this year than Nofa has, he’s our best metre eater winger and he’s our best finishing winger, he’s definitely a player who we should hope stick around past his current contract, I don’t get the hate towards him by a handful of people.
Click to expand...

I don't think anyone hates Ken think we all like him. He is a good winger when he is fully fit. He also provides us a clear aerial target as well.

Just on the meter eater Nofa was averaging 150-170mtrs a game then last 2yrs under Madge been down to 130mtrs a game. At the Storm however he is back up to 150mtrs+ a game.

Ken has a similar story under Madge down to 130mtrs a game but before the last 2yrs was sitting in the 150-180mtrs a game. Under Madge both tended to run inwards rather than dart and go hard. It was a strange change moving away for what worked best for them & body shape.

I actually would like to have them both around, having 2 meter eater wingers at the back inform and free running instantly puts us on the front foot.

Issue though is can a team have 2, 30yr old wingers in side which I doubt they can.
 
WT2K said:
Penrith will be forced to fend off four rival clubs – and possibly a fifth – in a dogfight to retain NSW back-rower Liam Martin.

And a proposed, yet so far declined, upgrade for Martin has been described as a “sticking point” by his manager.

Martin, 25, comes off contract after 2023 but is seeking an upgrade for next season.

The Daily Telegraph has been told St George Illawarra, Wests Tigers, Melbourne Storm and Cronulla have shown interest in Martin, who played all three State of Origin games this season.

Martin’s future may well depend on whether the Panthers can find some additional money for an upgrade next season.

Penrith has already lost Viliame Kikau (Bulldogs), Api Koroisau (Wests Tigers), Sean O’Sullivan (Dolphins) and J’Maine Hopgood (Parramatta) for next season.

While reluctant to discuss his client’s negotiations, Martin’s manager Al Gainey said: “We realise Penrith is under a tight situation but Liam is certainly deserving of a very good contract in upcoming talks.

“The club’s reluctance to be able to offer an upgrade at this stage is a little bit of a sticking point.”

Martin scored Penrith’s matchwinning try late in the game against Souths last Friday night at Accor Stadium. He had 16 runs for 148 metres including six tackle breaks.

Penrith is desperate to retain Martin and Martin wants to remain – provided the adequate finances can be found by the club.

Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon is a known Martin fan although the Sharks would struggle to fit the back-rower in under the club’s salary cap.

It is understood Martin and Gainey will hold further talks after Penrith’s match against the Warriors on Friday night at BlueBet Stadium.

Panthers and NSW teammates Stephen Crichton and Brian To’o also come off contract after next season.

Penrith will also need to decide whether the club will retain forward Spencer Leniu and winger Charlie Stains.

An upgrade for Martin may be possible if Penrith move a player in coming weeks.

Melbourne may elect against pursuing Martin given the club will be throwing bags of cash to retain gun player Cam Munster.

Martin’s heroics against Souths were even more meritorious given he rolled an ankle against Melbourne in round 22.

Asked about his decisive try, Martin said: “It was my first matchwinner.”

Penrith claimed the NRL minor premiership with their win over Souths.
Click to expand...
Please oh great NRL gods in the sky, please please give Liam Martin to the Weststigers.
My santa wish list in no particular order for forwards are:

Stefano Utoikamanu
Apisai Koroisau
Tyson Frizell
Isaiah Papali'i
Josh Curran
Liam Martin
Joe Ofahengaue
Jackson Hastings
Fonua Pole
Andrew Fafita (1yr benchy)
🎵🎵🎵 dream dream
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Kenny is only 28 he’s still got a few more years left of quality, as people said he may have a few niggling injuries that an off season will help, he’s shown enough last year and this year that when he gets the ball he can be a weapon we need out wide
Mighty_Tiger said:
I don't think anyone hates Ken think we all like him. He is a good winger when he is fully fit. He also provides us a clear aerial target as well.

Just on the meter eater Nofa was averaging 150-170mtrs a game then last 2yrs under Madge been down to 130mtrs a game. At the Storm however he is back up to 150mtrs+ a game.

Ken has a similar story under Madge down to 130mtrs a game but before the last 2yrs was sitting in the 150-180mtrs a game. Under Madge both tended to run inwards rather than dart and go hard. It was a strange change moving away for what worked best for them & body shape.

I actually would like to have them both around, having 2 meter eater wingers at the back inform and free running instantly puts us on the front foot.

Issue though is can a team have 2, 30yr old wingers in side which I doubt they can.
Click to expand...
 
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