Latrell Mitchell saga helped Panthers recruit better than any other NRL club for 2020
How the Latrell Mitchell contract saga helped Penrith land a Test prop, a future Origin star and an NRL mainstay hooker.
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Mark Geyer reckons his beloved Penrith Panthers could prove the biggest winner of the recent Latrell Mitchell signing circus, convinced the ongoing hype helped his western Sydney franchise “recruit the best of any NRL club over summer”.
While the chase for 22-year-old Mitchell’s signature has dominated the off-season, Geyer insists it’s his old club that boasts the best overall recruitment package for 2020 — in New Zealand Test prop Zane Tetevano, Queensland Origin hopeful Kurt Capewell and experienced hooker Api Koroisau.
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The NSW Origin great added that the ongoing headlines surrounding Mitchell’s eventual move to South Sydney – plus others like Valentine Holmes, Ryan Matterson, Jai Arrow and BJ Leilua — had actually helped Penrith to secure its three key targets.
So while rival clubs have undoubtedly landed higher profile names, Geyer is confident his Panthers have secured both the strongest, and most underrated, signing package for the upcoming season.
“Penrith have recruited the best of any NRL club over the summer,” Geyer told The Daily Telegraph last night.
“And I know some people will think that’s me being biased.
“But with all the craziness surrounding this off season’s merry-go-round – especially with players like Latrell, Val Holmes, Jai Arrow, and more recently BJ Leilua – it’s really allowed these three guys to go under the radar and not attract any headlines at all.
“And obviously when a player like Latrell Mitchell becomes available, he’ll dominate the column inches and sound bites – that’s to be expected because he’s a freak of a player.
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“But I also think it was lucky for Penrith that he was on the market as it really allowed the club to go and make the three key signings they needed to without any problems or fanfare.
“Which is exactly how the club liked it.
“But I also know the Panthers’s coaching staff definitely had a wry smile on their faces when all three were signed. I really believe it’s exciting times for Penrith fans.”
When it comes to rating the recruitment drive of NRL teams for this year, South Sydney have dominated much of the talk along with North Queensland, Parramatta and Canberra.
Yet Geyer suggested the smokey for Buy of the Year could be Capewell, the 26-year-old who, after playing a utility role with Cronulla last year, is now keen to cement a spot in the Panthers backrow.
“I have no doubt Kurt Capewell will play Origin for Queensland this year,” continued Geyer, who has also talked up the Charleville product on his Triple M Rush Hour program.
“Kurt not only played every game for Cronulla last year, but every time he came onto the field, he played in a way that had you wondering why he hadn’t been brought into the action earlier.
“I actually couldn’t believe he wasn’t starting.
“Not only does he maximise his time on the field, but Kurt has a strong offload, is deceptive with his pace and is a born rugby league player.
“I actually thought he was the best value player on the open market.
“And for the life of me, I couldn’t understand why he was on the open market as long as he was.
“So when I found out Penrith were chasing him, I was ecstatic. I think he is in for a really big year.”
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Geyer also suggested the Panthers young roster would benefit immensely from the leadership of both Koroisau and Tetevano – the latter of whom has not only been at the Roosters for back-to-back premiership campaigns, but also made his Test debut with the Kiwis at the end of 2019.
“Api Korosai is a fantastic signing,” Geyer said. “And then to get an incumbent Test prop who has spent three years working in the Roosters system … I know his leadership qualities are already being shown on the training paddock.”