Josh Mansour says family is the biggest thing holding him back from accepting a lucrative NRL deal to join the Canberra Raiders.
Penrith's bulldozing winger has a lot on his plate at the moment, with his contract decision imminent and the prospect that he could also be in the frame for a shock State of Origin debut for NSW.
The 23-year-old is very close to his Sydney-based family and is in a seven-year relationship with girlfriend Daniella Toutounji.
He's also hesitant to leave the Panthers, who gave him his NRL debut back in 2012 and appear to be headed for a successful era under coach Ivan Cleary.
\
\
Weighing up whether to pack his bags and move to Canberra is causing Mansour plenty of headaches as he closes in on a decision he hopes to finalise within the next week.
Mansour knows how fickle first grade football can be, after he was shunted by the South Sydney Rabbitohs as a junior, and the massive money being offered by the Raiders doesn't come around every day for a winger.
Wests Tigers winger James Tedesco couldn't refuse Canberra's advances. However Melbourne's Kevin Proctor had a last minute change of heart and knocked back the Raiders to stay for less money at the Storm.
Mansour confirmed on Monday his choice is down to Canberra and the Panthers, and he's genuinely torn.
"Yeah, it's been a bit of a headache," he said.
"I've got to think of myself at the end of the day but I've been playing good footy here and this club has given me the opportunity to play first grade so hopefully I can make my decision in the next week or so and then I can concentrate on my footy.
"It's just very hard trying to deal with family stuff as well.
"I've got to focus on my future and do what's best for me. NRL careers are very short so I've got to think of myself sometimes."
Mansour admits he was nervous about what kind of reception he might get from Penrith fans at Sportingbet Stadium last week and was overwhelmed at the positive response.
Panthers supporters have even started up social media pages trying to rally support for the popular try-scoring specialist to stay at the foot of the mountains.
"I was actually really nervous before the game and to see all those fans meant a lot to me," he said.
"I'm proud to play for this club and in front of all the fans."
******
\
\
Sounds like he is wavering too….
Penrith's bulldozing winger has a lot on his plate at the moment, with his contract decision imminent and the prospect that he could also be in the frame for a shock State of Origin debut for NSW.
The 23-year-old is very close to his Sydney-based family and is in a seven-year relationship with girlfriend Daniella Toutounji.
He's also hesitant to leave the Panthers, who gave him his NRL debut back in 2012 and appear to be headed for a successful era under coach Ivan Cleary.
\
\
Weighing up whether to pack his bags and move to Canberra is causing Mansour plenty of headaches as he closes in on a decision he hopes to finalise within the next week.
Mansour knows how fickle first grade football can be, after he was shunted by the South Sydney Rabbitohs as a junior, and the massive money being offered by the Raiders doesn't come around every day for a winger.
Wests Tigers winger James Tedesco couldn't refuse Canberra's advances. However Melbourne's Kevin Proctor had a last minute change of heart and knocked back the Raiders to stay for less money at the Storm.
Mansour confirmed on Monday his choice is down to Canberra and the Panthers, and he's genuinely torn.
"Yeah, it's been a bit of a headache," he said.
"I've got to think of myself at the end of the day but I've been playing good footy here and this club has given me the opportunity to play first grade so hopefully I can make my decision in the next week or so and then I can concentrate on my footy.
"It's just very hard trying to deal with family stuff as well.
"I've got to focus on my future and do what's best for me. NRL careers are very short so I've got to think of myself sometimes."
Mansour admits he was nervous about what kind of reception he might get from Penrith fans at Sportingbet Stadium last week and was overwhelmed at the positive response.
Panthers supporters have even started up social media pages trying to rally support for the popular try-scoring specialist to stay at the foot of the mountains.
"I was actually really nervous before the game and to see all those fans meant a lot to me," he said.
"I'm proud to play for this club and in front of all the fans."
******
\
\
Sounds like he is wavering too….
