South Sydney’s Josh Mansour set to fire against former club Penrith following “not ideal” exit

Rabbitohs winger Josh Mansour wanted to finish his career at Penrith but couldn’t, so Panthers players are expecting a big game from the veteran flyer in Dubbo on Sunday.

Penrith players expect South Sydney winger and former Panther Josh Mansour to play with a point to prove against his ex-club on Sunday following an exit described as “not ideal”. Picture: Toby Zerna

Penrith players expect South Sydney winger and former Panther Josh Mansour to play with a point to prove against his ex-club on Sunday following an exit described as “not ideal”.

Rookie flyer Charlie Staines will face Mansour, the man he has replaced on the wing at the Panthers, for the first time since the veteran departed the club last year.

The Penrith fan favourite was told his services were no longer required at a cafe in Homebush just days after last year’s grand final loss to the Storm.

Staines will be forever grateful that Mansour’s departure to the Rabbitohs opened the door for him to play NRL at the Panthers.

Rabbitohs winger Josh Mansour wanted to finish his career at Penrith but couldn’t, so Panthers players are expecting a big game from the veteran flyer in Dubbo on Sunday. Photo: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images.

He also knows the respected winger’s exit wasn’t perfect given he dreamt of finishing his career at the Panthers, so he is anticipating a response in Dubbo on Sunday.

“He (Josh) is going to get up for the game, so I’ve got to get up for it too,” Staines said about Mansour, who played 158 games for Penrith.

“It wasn’t the ideal way of how things went and how he left, but I’ve got massive respect for Sauce (Mansour).

“I came into first grade and he was one of the big dogs here.

“He has been a well-respected legend of the club for a long time.

“So, coming up against him will be a good test.

“I’ve been given a good opportunity here at the Panthers and I just want to take full advantage of that.”

Staines has been sensational in his first full NRL season with the Panthers.

The Forbes Magpies junior has scored eight tries in his 10 games thus far.

Staines wants to test himself against the best teams, and he rates Souths at the top despite their recent 50-0 loss to Melbourne.

“Of course, they have got a team to beat anyone,” he said.

“They can attack and defend, so we have got to be on our best game, and hopefully we can get away with a win.

“It doesn’t get any better to be honest, especially coming up against good opposition.

“It will be a good test for us.”

Staines also sent a subtle reminder to South Sydney that the NRL only has one “Ferrari” after the Rabbitohs hailed returning star Latrell Mitchell the “Taree Ferrari”.

Charlie Staines has been a standout for Penrith this season. Photo: Matt King/Getty Images.

Staines, affectionately known as the “Forbes Ferrari” in honour his western NSW hometown, smiled when he saw Souths’ social media team attempt to steal his nickname.

The Rabbitohs posted a picture of Mitchell accompanied with the words “The Taree Ferrari is back in the west” ahead of Sunday’s clash against the Panthers in Dubbo.

Staines can see the funny side but hopes to have the last laugh.

“It is all fun and games, so we’ll see this week,” he said.

“It (the Forbes Ferrari) is a pretty good nickname to have – I don’t mind it too much.

“If I’m getting called that, I don’t mind.

“But they (Souths) can say what they want.

“Hopefully, I can keep trying to live up to that.”