Penrith have swooped under the guard of Canterbury to sign Manly hooker Api Koroisau on a three-year NRL deal.
Koroisau will return to the foot of the mountains in 2020 after being given permission by the Sea Eagles to look elsewhere.
He was contracted to Manly until the end of 2021 but the club had signalled their intention to put their faith in rising No.9 Manese Fainu.
Koroisau was widely expected to sign with the Bulldogs, having also received interest from the Warriors.
However the Panthers had a long-standing offer on the table which Koroisau elected to take up.
The premiership-winning rake played with the Panthers in 2015 before following former coach Trent Barrett to Manly, where he has plied his trade for the last four seasons.
He will now battle it out with Mitch Kenny for the starting hooking spot in the Panthers side next year.
“I’m thrilled that we’ve been able to bring Api back to the club,” Panthers coach Ivan Cleary said.
“I had a high opinion of Api when I coached him previously and his game has only continued to develop in recent years.
“He’s a man of good character and will provide valuable experience and leadership for our young squad.”
TJ
Guest
That's because of Fainu though. Think he is more than capable of playing 80 and i'm pretty sure he did before Fainu came along.
The Barry
Roar Guru
He’s injury prone anyway...
The Barry
Roar Guru
What’s going on at the Panthers? GM signs coach he’d previously sacked. Coach signs player he’d previously sacked. Seems like getting the rissole might be not be a permanent arrangement
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Good buy for the Panthers but strange choice for Api.. I reckon he’d have been better off at the Dogs who appear to be on the way up.. not so sure that can be said about Penrith
Albo
Roar Rookie
But Api is lucky to get half a game at Manly now. The top sides have 80 minute players in their spine, especially their number 9. The Panthers need one desperately.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Yep ! Egan has been terribly disappointing . I had him earmarked potentially becoming the next Cam Smith a couple of years back , when in the juniors . But he has done no developing since hitting the NRL. As you say , there may be more issues behind the footy, as he does appear to be distracted and trying very little on match day ? So, I guess Api can do a job as a stop gap, but I think his weaknesses are the same as those he is likely replacing ( average dummy half work & little creativity) . For mine, his skills are his tackling and toughness , just like current 9, Mitch Kenny.
Insider
Roar Rookie
Oh dear
Chris.P.Bacon
Guest
Wow, the rumour that Api had definitely signed for the Dogs lasted a whole 18 hours.....damn you supporter forums! ;)
TJ
Guest
Personally think it's a great signing from the Panthers especially with Maloney gone. Gives their spine some needed experience. Only risk with him is that he has struggled with injuries over the last 12 months. Everyone seems to forget he was in the origin conversation last year before he got injured.
BA Sports
Roar Guru
Didn't they extend Egan until the end of 2021 at the start of this year? I guess that says either he is destined for reserve grade/been told he can look else where or (purely speculatively speaking), There has been ongoing talk that the Tyrone May fall out could be greater and perhaps there is potential for him to be implicated in a way that see's him miss significant time..? He really hasn't kicked on this year like I thought he would. He has to take responsibility for that (though he currently has an ordinary coach compared to what he had coming through the Penrith system). Assuming the later of the scenarios above is completely off the table, I still think he would be a good pick up for a team with a good coach that could help develop the between the ears part of his game. He was way to dominant, not just in juniors, but in ISP playing as a 20 year old against seasoned players, not to make it.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Seriously ? He wasn't good enough to retain last time they had him. Now they want to give him another go for 3 years ? Whats happened to the nursery ?