Panthers coach Ivan Cleary has taken a not so subtle dig at the Dolphins after Wayne Bennett’s attempts to sign a number of young guns.
The NRL super coach last week attempted to lure re-signed young guns Taylan May, Sunia Turuva and Lindsay Smith, according to The Canberra Times, as well as already pinching Isaiya Katoa and Robert Jennings.
The newest franchise has also been linked with first grade stars Stephen Crichton and Brian To’o who are off contract at the end of the 2023 season.
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“One thing is for sure we are going to keep bringing guys through our system, that’s our mandate,” Cleary said to The Canberra Times.
“It has been well documented we have our challenges in terms of trying to keep this team together.
“To be able to have those (young) guys stay on when they definitely had options to go elsewhere … is so good.
“Everyone is looking at our club now, particularly with the Dolphins coming in. They’re treating our club like their backyard.”
Penrith’s junior development system is one of the best in the competition and a number of NRL stars can be traced back to the foot of the mountain.
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Panthers chief executive Brian Fletcher made similar comments in February this year, suggesting the NRL should provide compensation for clubs whose development players sign with rival teams.
Isaiya Katoa’s recruitment to the Dolphins sparked Fletcher’s suggestions, going as far as having a meeting with NRL powerbrokers.
“There has to be protection or compensation,” Fletcher said.
“It’s a waste of time developing them. For us and other developing clubs (rival teams) can just sit there and pluck them out.
“It’s frustrating but that’s the rules at the moment.”
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