Panthers lock down premiership star, Josh Reynolds makes the cut

Panthers star Liam Martin has signed a one-year extension that will keep him at the club until the end of 2024.

Liam Martin has resigned, Josh Reynolds is back in the NRL. Photo: Getty Images

Panthers star Liam Martin has signed a one-year extension that will keep him at the club until the end of 2024.

Martin came through the Panthers pathways and made his NRL debut in 2019 before earning NSW honours in 2021 and then playing for Australia last year.

The 25-year-old has 86 NRL games to his name and played for the Kangaroos’ World Cup final victory in November.

“It means the world to me to re-sign with the Panthers. This club gave me my first opportunity when I was 17 and it’s become a second home for me,” Martin said.

“I’m really happy to be staying here and I’m really excited for the future at the club and what we can build on following what we’ve already accomplished.”

Martin was being pursued by rival clubs but the tough-as-nails forward wants to be part of a Penrith dynasty.

Liam Martin of the Panthers. Getty

“Liam embodies the qualities we value at our club seen through his determination, courage and a relentless drive to succeed,” Panthers CEO Matt Cameron said.

“Liam has come through our junior development system and has progressed to the highest level of playing for his state and country.

“We look forward to continuing discussions with Liam’s management about future seasons now that the salary cap position has been ratified by the NRL as part of the ongoing CBA negotiations.

“We are thrilled to see him commit to the club and look forward to his growth as he continues his rugby league journey in Panthers colours.”

Josh Reynolds is back!

The Bulldogs have officially confirmed 33-year-o-ld Josh Reynolds’ promotion to a top 30 contract following his train-and-trial peroid.

Rookie coach Cameron Ciraldo and general manager Phil Gould surprised Reynolds with the news after a training session this week.

“It’s something we had been thinking about for a few weeks, and we were able to give Josh the good news on Saturday in the middle of Belmore Sportsground following our field session,” Ciraldo said.

“We announced it to the playing group which gave the boys an enormous lift after a tough few weeks of training.

“We were talking in the morning about what sort of team we wanted to be, and we felt it was a good way to finish off the training session by saying that the qualities that Josh Reynolds brings to the team is what our team wants to display.

“The boys were pretty excited and jumped all over him. We didn’t do him any favours, he worked hard and deserves this opportunity.

“And now he has his locker back in that locker room where he belongs.”

The prodigal son has returned. Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Reynolds had last played for the Bulldogs in 2017 and had taken up a train-and-trial contract this summer.

“We felt the leadership he brings to the team and his competitiveness, that’s what we wanted to rub off on the squad, but it was up to him to show us that his body could hold up to it all,” Ciraldo said.

“And he’s done really well in that regard. He has proved to us that he can be really valuable asset to the team this year, so there was no point in waiting any longer. We wanted to give him the confidence that we have in him and that’s why we announced it.”

Originally published as Panthers lock down premiership star, Josh Reynolds makes the cut