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The manager of Liam Martin has warned Penrith that the club would be “unwise” to push the grand final-winning star onto the NRL open market.
“The pressure is on Penrith, not on us,” Martin’s agent, Allan Gainey said.
Martin – selected in Australia’s World Cup squad – remains locked in delicate negotiations with Penrith.
It appears Martin’s asking price and Penrith’s offering price aren’t that far apart but a deal cannot be struck. Gainey and Panthers CEO Matt Cameron continued dialogue late last month.
Martin, 25, is off contract after next season but rivals clubs can sign him from November 1.
“I think it would be unwise if Penrith let it go that far,” Gainey said.
“Liam certainly backed up what we consider his value with his grand final performance, culminating with selection in the Australian World Cup squad.
“We’re not that far from getting the deal done but I can’t understand why they can’t get it done. The pressure is on Penrith, not on us.
“They want him to stay and his first preference would be to stay – he’d like to be a career player at Penrith.
“But what we have to put to them is definitely not unrealistic. It’s far from unrealistic. He has more than consolidated and proven his value in the grand final and Kangaroos selection.”
Cameron said his club was “working towards” a new deal for Martin.
Penrith is also engaged in trying to re-sign Stephen Crichton and Brian To’o, also off contract after next season. Crichton has been linked with Canterbury where he could play fullback.
Martin was just one of multiple standout players in Penrith’s big grand final win over Parramatta on Sunday night. He ran for 136 metres and completed 34 tackles. He also posted 59 post-contact metres and logged one line break.
Martin wants a new deal at Penrith but Gainey won’t budge on his asking price.
Three clubs – Melbourne, Parramatta and Cronulla – have been mentioned as possible suitors if Martin does leave Penrith.
Eels assistant coach Trent Barrett is an uncle to Martin, the pair hailing from Temora in the NSW Riverina. Barrett also helped Martin when an assistant coach at Penrith.
Panthers hooker Api Koroisau spoke about his anguish at having to leave the club for Wests Tigers next season. He enjoyed career-best form during 2023 and was a key reason behind Penrith’s success.
“To go to the Tigers is another challenge but I never thought about turning back,” Koroisau said.
“I signed with Wests Tigers in the pre-season and made my peace with it. I might shed a tear (when leaving) but I will stay open-minded.
“The emotions haven’t hit me yet. Once all the partying is done and I’m sitting at home by myself, and there’s no more training, that’s when it will hit me the times – so to get the chocolates, it’s such a relief, it’s awesome.”
