South Sydney have bolstered their bid for the 2021 NRL title by signing unwanted Penrith winger Josh Mansour on a two-year-deal.
The 30-year-old returns to the Rabbitohs, where he starred in the under-20s, after being told he was not needed by the Panthers just days after their grand final loss in October.
The move comes after the Rabbitohs released talented outside back Corey Allan to Canterbury earlier this week, putting Mansour in the frame for a spot on the wing.
He will join Queensland forward Jai Arrow as the new additions to Wayne Bennett’s roster as they push for an NRL premiership.
“He knows what our club is about and respects the tradition and history of South Sydney, as well as the community that the club represents,” Rabbitohs’ head of football Mark Ellison said.
“We reluctantly let Josh go in 2012 after playing a key role in our 2010 NYC grand final team and it is fantastic to have this opportunity to bring him back to South Sydney for 2021.
“That opportunity to bring him back would not be there if it wasn’t for Corey Allan moving on, another player who, like Josh in 2012, is moving on for opportunities elsewhere.
“We’re really excited to bringing a player of Josh’s ability and character back to our club and we can’t wait to see him earn the right to pull on the Rabbitohs first grade jersey that eluded him a decade ago.”
It’s understood the Panthers will chip in a portion of Mansour’s 2021 salary after releasing him from the final year of his contract.
Josh Mansour celebrates a try during his time at Penrith (Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)
The veteran played 158 games for Penrith after making his debut in 2012, going on to play seven Tests for Australia and three Origin matches for NSW.
During that time he became a fan favourite and was shocked to be told he would not be playing first grade for Penrith this year as they prioritise the development of youth.
“While this isn’t an ending I ever envisaged, I’ve made peace with the decision and I’m ready to move forward with a new challenge,” Mansour said.
“I want to thank the club and the fans for their incredible support through the ups and downs of the last nine years.
“I’m so grateful for every moment and everything Panthers has given me and my family.
“Whatever the future holds, I’ll always consider myself a Panther and be proud of what I achieved at the club.”
William W
Roar Rookie
Players Souths released with their approximately Salary Cap figures. Corey Allan, $300k James Roberts $550k The Retirement of Ethan Lowe, on $350k Souths kept $500k tucked away for Suallii, now not needed. Bayley Sironen, $250k That is $1.95M right there!
Rob
Guest
His hardly an experienced rep player he played bugger all rep games and he really hasn't set the world on fire for a long time a ridiculous buy souths have better young players with more talent than this has been thsts why penrith let him go
doyen
Roar Rookie
Very experienced player who always gives 100%--only 30 yrs old---fairly big lump at 98 kgs & uses this weight well---he was in the Aussie test team just 3 yrs ago & has played 7 games for Aust !! 3 SOO matches----158 NRL games, scoring 74 tries---he should be a very handy pick-up !!!
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Nice pick up, for me things look even better for Souths in 2021.. as long as Latrell Mitchell doesn't go down, Allan was a better than decent back-up.
Gold Coast Bunny
Roar Rookie
and Suaali who was expected to cost them $500k. Doubt Mansour would be on that sort of coin.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Probably better me writing it than some of his Panther team mates ! :silly:
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Souths released Corey Allen to the Dogs which freed up cap space
Albo
Roar Rookie
100% souvalis ! Mansour has been a good clubman and his key value has always been as a metre eater off his line and to poke fun at on the training paddock. And if he scored or created as many tries as the errors he has in his game , you might reconsider letting him go ? But for now with just a game and a half under his belt, Charlie Staines has shown more than enough to know he is something special and needs to be retained, and also saving some of the cap on Mansour, helps seal the future of a longer term Crichton deal. That is just the business of the NRL.
Nat
Roar Rookie
Pretty astute pick up by Souths. You could do a lot worse to have Sauce as the backup winger. Although ol' coach likes the experienced players so I'd say Sauce may just start in place of Paulo - for a while at least.
Hopeless Knights
Roar Rookie
Great buy for the bunnies. If their backline is fit they will be lethal with the added experience and work rate of Mansour. Look forward to watching him at souths this year running off Mitchell and Walker.
Nat
Roar Rookie
I know the sentiment came from a good place but I doubt Josh wants you writing his eulogy. :laughing:
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Plenty of players are moved on from the Storm each year and I'm sure they're not all happy about it but the club does seem to handle it well. Mansour is not close to being a unique case.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Speaking of Johnston and 1 club players , the Bunnies tried to ''move him on'' recently. 1 club players get moved on , on a regular basis, and leave on a regular basis for more bickies. Mansour is one of many that has happened to. The way it's done can vary but it's still the same result.
Big Mig
Roar Rookie
Happy for Mansour to come back to his rightful home, however I do think Panthers treatment of Mansour (1 club player) was pretty ordinary. A couple years back Alex Johnston put on 5 tries against the Panthers, maybe Mansour can equal that record.
Big Mig
Roar Rookie
A good move for Souths in re-signing a Souths junior like Josh Mansour. Good for the Club and good for the younger players. Mansour comes with maturity, a hard working approach and big game experience that the Rabbitohs will need towards the end of the season. He will also be able to guide younger wingers like Jaxson Paulo, and the young centres (Campbell Grahan, Braidon Burns) especially during Origin period when Souths will have many of their experienced players unavailable.
Tony
Roar Guru
Let's hope he doesn't need to catch a taxi anytime soon
Nat
Roar Guru
I'm not a big fan either but - ouch! :laughing:
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Ol ‘ Sauce finished top 5 on the NRL stats leader board in 4 key categories : line breaks, post contacts, all runs and run metres..works peerlessly harder carting it off his own line......then comes the 80% chance of him losing it getting up to play it. Ivan is going for a new model Ferrari rather than the muscle car, tough choice but it’s time for Charlie.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Moga ???. He is proof that the nrl does not have the depth for an expansion team.
Paul
Roar Guru
I wonder if dumping Mansour will come back to bite Penrith later in the year? A nice little titbit to look forward to over the coming months.