Penrith have managed to stave off competitor interest and retain one of their top forwards, with two-time premiership winner Liam Martin re-signing with the club.
The backrower was already committed to the Panthers until the end of 2024 after signing a one-year extension at the start of the season, but he has now agreed to a new three-year contract that will keep him until the conclusion of the 2027 NRL season.
Martin made his NRL debut against Melbourne in 2019 after progressing through the club’s youth systems, and he has since established himself as one of the top forwards in the league, having previously represented New South Wales and Australia.
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“I’m really excited to stay at the club that gave me my first opportunity,” he stated.
“I think the culture we’re building at the club is something special and something I want to be a part of.”
The 26-year-old has had an injury-plagued season thus far, with a hamstring issue keeping him out for much of it.
Martin has appeared for the Panthers eight times in 2023, appearing for the whole
Only two times did it take 80 minutes.
However, his frightening reputation for merciless defence and ball charges has been on display throughout his limited minutes, with his performance in Origin I being particularly noteworthy.
After only six games leading up to the Origin curtain-raiser, the Panthers backrower scored a try, busted three tackles, and made 31 tackles in his hour on the field.
“Marto is a quality player,” Ivan Cleary stated.
“He’s gone through this system, and you can see he loves the Panthers by the way he plays.
“He improves every year. I believe his work in the representational venues has been very outstanding. He’s an extremely vital player for us, and it’s fantastic to see He re-signed with the club.”
