Panthers to take transfer farce fight to NRL after losing club junior Isaiya Katoa to Dolphins

Two of Penrith’s fierce rivals have backed the club’s push for a fairer transfer system after the Panthers lost one of their most-talented products to the Dolphins.

Penrith‘s fight to protect their juniors or be compensated for losing them has won support from two of their NRL rivals.

Canberra chief executive Don Furner reached out to his Panthers counterpart Brian Fletcher on Friday to let him know he sympathised with his plight, having watched the Raiders spend millions on junior development only to be picked apart by rival clubs.

South Sydney boss Blake Solly also revealed he had spoken to Fletcher about a system that would provide further incentives to help clubs retain their juniors.

Fletcher said he will to take his fight to the NRL after voicing his concern at the loss of teenage star Isaiya Katoa, who was signed by the Dolphins for their entry to the premiership in 2023 on a three-year deal.

Fletcher is so fed-up by rival clubs raiding his talent that he said it was a “waste of time” developing them.

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Penrith's Isaiya Katoa (Photo: Bryden Sharp)

Furner can empathise with the Panthers.

The Raiders have spent millions on junior development and Furner has been hammering away at the NRL for more than a decade in his pursuit of more protection for clubs with junior nurseries.

“I spoke to Brian Fletcher (on Thursday) to let know that I understand how he feels and I share his frustration,” Furner said.

“It’s an issue I have spoken about for years, not just publicly but also with the NRL.

“Clubs like us and Penrith spend a lot of money on development and it grates because there is no financial incentive to develop juniors.

“The salary cap system should reward you for years of development and costs involved in bringing the talent through to NRL level.”

Clubs want to be compensated for developing players for rival times which may also include some salary-cap relief.

Fletcher also won the backing of Solly, who revealed the Rabbitohs had a long-term goal of stacking their NRL squad with local juniors — the end game would be to have as many as 20 Rabbitohs juniors in their top 30.

Penrith coach Ivan Cleary said the club were “really disappointed” to lose a player of Katoa’s quality.

“In part it was a family decision,” Cleary said.

“Sione, his brother, ended up staying in Queensland.

“He saw a bit of a block with the halves we’ve got.

“The biggest question is around new teams coming in and using money they get given as a grant to come and raid development clubs like ourselves.

“If the numbers start stacking up where a bulk of the players start coming from players we develop through finance, systems and time. The NRL should look at that.”

The NRL have indicated they are considering revamping the transfer market.

EARLIER: PANTHERS SEETHING OVER TRANSFER FARCE

Penrith boss Brian Fletcher will take his fight to the NRL after declaring it is a “waste of time” developing future stars having seen one of their most promising juniors snatched by the Dolphins.

The Dolphins landed their most important signing to date after securing one of the game’s brightest young prospects from Penrith.

Emerging superstar Isaiya Katoa was one of the most sought after emerging halves on the market but the teenage prodigy has decided to ink a three year deal to be part of the inaugural Dolphins squad next season. The contract is expected to be made official by Friday.

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The move has left the Panthers seething after the NRL’s newest club snatched a player who has come through Penrith’s junior grades.

Fletcher said Katoa was an “outstanding footballer”.

“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.”

Katoa has dominated at junior level starring at halfback for Penrith’s under-19 SG Ball side already this season. In the opening two games he scored two tries and kicked eight straight conversions.

Fletcher said he will meet with the NRL to instigate a change to the current system.

“It is something the NRL has to look at,” Fletcher said. “My football manager Matt Cameron has said there has to be urgent attention paid to it. Hopefully we will get to them and see what happens.

“We will address it.”

Katoa is the younger brother of ex-Bulldog and Panthers hooker Sione Katoa, who has played 75 top grade games.

COACHES SURVEY: NRL must address current transfer model

The NRL are in the midst of exploring a potential transfer period while NRL boss Andrew Abdo said they would consider rewarding clubs who develop talent. That could include salary cap relief or increased funding.

“The movement of players in a free market system is going always to be riddled with complexity,” Abdo said. “We are fortunate to have clubs who are investigating significantly on pathways. The commission is well aware the historical legacy system needs to be re-thought. There are many angles to it. The movement of players is part of professional sport.

“You invest in sport for multiple reasons. Penrith junior league for us has been the breeding grounds for many stars and players.”

The Panthers were desperate to keep Katoa but the lure of working with Wayne Bennett proved too hard to resist. His path at the defending premiers is blocked by Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai who are both contracted until the end of 2024.

After signing a string of veterans including the Bromwich brothers, Mark Nicholls and Felise Kaufusi, Katoa represents the most important arrival next season as he sets the club up for long-term success.

He could push for a first grade spot as early as next season. The Dolphins have also been linked to ex-Bronco Anthony Milford. Katoa also has respresnted NSW at rugby junior level after attending Barker College and could have stuck with the 15-man game but instead elected to remain in rugby league. The Panthers will lose also lose Api Koroisau and Viliame Kikau at the end of the season.

PANTHERS START TALKS WITH THREE BIG GUNS

The fightback has begun.

After being pillaged over the past 18 months, premiers Penrith Panthers have started discussions about re-signing three of their biggest stars — Liam Martin, Stephen Crichton and Brian To’o.

After reaching successive grand finals and winning the 2021 grand final, Penrith has been under siege, losing Matt Burton, Tevita Pangai, Brent Naden, Paul Momirovski, Kurt Capewell and Tyrone May for this coming season.

And the Panthers will also watch Api Koroisau (Wests Tigers) and Viliame Kikau (Canterbury) walk out at the end of the year.

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The Panthers celebrate winning the 2021 NRL grand final (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Determined to remain a force in the immediate future, Panthers management have started internal talks about retaining Martin, Crichton and To’o long-term.

The three are off contract after 2023 but the Panthers want them nailed down soon before they enter the open market later this year.

Panthers officials are expecting rival clubs to throw big bucks at the trio, who would command long-term deals between $1.5m to $2m.

“Brian, Liam and Stephen — there are a few to sort through,” said Panthers deputy chairman and club recruitment and retention committee member Greg Alexander. “We know who we have to talk to and who we want to keep and those three are at the top of the list.

“All three have been terrific for us over the last couple of years and played an important part in our premiership win.

“We have a tight-knit playing group and that will play a huge part in players either leaving or staying. If you’re comfortable and happy, and you’re training and playing in a good environment, that’s pretty important.

“I know players take that in account when they think about their future. We will do everything we can to keep our key players together.

“That (re-signing the players before they enter the open market) would be a good thing.”

Internal discussions about securing Martin, To’o and Crichton kicked off only recently.

Asked if his club was expecting huge interest in the three players from rival clubs, Alexander said: “I’m sure there will be.”

Talks have started to keep big guns like Brian To'o and Stephen Crichton at the Panthers. Picture: Tim Hunter.

Martin and To’o have played State of Origin while Crichton was part of NSW’s extended squad in 2020.

Crichton, To’o and Jarome Luai are close mates and local juniors.

There are also unconfirmed reports that May could return to the NRL, and possibly Penrith, after his one-year deal at Catalans in France.

With the club still offering up a Rolls Royce roster, Penrith management face the difficult task of squeezing all their key players in under the NRL salary cap.

“That’s the trick in trying to keep your side together after making two grand finals, winning one,” Alexander said.

Penrith and Manly kick-off the 2022 season with a round one blockbuster at BlueBet Stadium on March 10.

The Panthers are $5 premiership favourites, according to TAB, ahead of Melbourne ($5.50), Sydney Roosters ($7) and Manly ($8.50).