Free agent forward Tom Eisenhuth is reportedly close to signing with the Penrith Panthers for the 2024 season.
A Penrith junior, Eisenhuth debuted for the Panthers in 2012 as a 20-year-old, playing just one game that season. Remarkably, he wouldn’t play in another NRL game for over 2300 days until he ran out for the Storm in Round 1, 2019.
Eisenhuth would spend the next five seasons with the Storm (2019-2023), playing 58 games in first grade.
Watch every match of Pacific Championships LIVE on Kayo Sports. Join Kayo now and start streaming instantly >
According to the WWOS, Eisenhuth will start in Penrith’s second tier with the club’s 30-man roster is at capacity but is likely to be called upon when the Panthers inevitably lose players over the State of Origin period or through injury.
The Dragons are reportedly keen on Eisenhuth for 2024 as well but the Panthers appear in the box seat to sign the 31-year-old.
MANLY INK TWO FORWARDS TO CHEAP DEALS
Former Roosters and Eels forward Nathan Brown is set to sign a cut-price deal to join the Sea Eagles in 2024, while Aaron Woods is taking a huge salary sacrifice to play on at Manly.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported Brown is expected to take a hit to his pay packet to sign with Manly after being cut by the Eels and Roosters in consecutive seasons.
“We’re looking to bring him in because he has experience and aggression, but he also creates competition for spots,” Manly coach Anthony Seibold told The Sydney Morning Herald.
England clinch clean sweep against Tonga | 00:57
“We’re in that cluster of teams that finished last season on the ladder from fifth through to 14th, and to break that cluster you need depth, that competition and experienced middles.”
The 30-year-old played 10 of his 148 NRL games for the Roosters in 2023 after stints at the Tigers, Rabbitohs and Eels since his debut in 2013.
Brown played two Origins for the Blues in 2020 and six Tests for Italy, but has lost form and confidence in recent years after falling out of favour at the Eels.
Woods is expected to sign a deal worth just $80,000 to prolong his 267 game career at Manly, who he joined mid-season from the Dragons last year.
The money Manly are offering is a 10th of what he earned at the height of his career with the Bulldogs.
32-year-old is moving into the media and has a gig with Triple M, but still has a desire to play first grade and help usher in the new wave of Manly stars.
“Woodsy really enjoyed his footy last year, he was a great influence in the locker room, he’s played 17 Tests for Australia and 14 Origin games, so he has that experience,” Seibold said.
“He understands he’s at the back end of his career, and he’s transitioning into the media with a couple of different organisations.
“But he’s a great role model, and the way he trains, he’d be a great asset to the group.
“We’re really happy he wants to go around again and compete for a spot – ultimately he wants to play in the NRL, and we’ll give him that opportunity.”
Woods has played for the Tigers, Bulldogs, Sharks, Dragons and Manly since his debut in 2011.
ROOSTERS OFFER TO VETERAN AFTER DOPING BAN
The Sydney Roosters are set to offer former premiership winning centre Michael Jennings a career lifeline on a train and trial contract for 2024 after his three year doping ban.
The Daily Telegraph reported the Roosters are set to offer 35-year-old Jennings a chance to resurrect his NRL career three years after he last played for the Eels in 2020.
The Roosters are well stocked at centre with Joey Manu and Joseph Suaalii the starting pair, but both are entering the final years of their deals and Jennings could play a role if injuries strike in the outside backs.
Jaxson Paulo (Sea Eagles), Paul Momirovski (Leeds Rhinos) and Corey Allan have both left the Roosters after 2023, which has opened up some squad spots out wide.
Jennings wants to return to rugby league and finish his career on his own terms.
Jennings was originally suspended on October 9, 2020 after testing positive on a drug test.
His provisional suspension eventually saw Jennings’ contract with the Eels, ended in May of 2021.
On October 15 in 2021, Jennings accepted a three-year ban (backdated to 2020) from playing rugby league for doping.
Trent Robinson who coached Jennings for three seasons including a title winning campaign in 2013 is open to giving Jennings a train and trial deal for 2024.
MORE NRL NEWS
‘DIDN’T PUT HIM IN A GOOD PLACE’: Demetriou’s Latrell reveal amid implosion
COACH PRESSURE GAUGE: Contract call exposes Souths dilemma; BA’s Eels reality
HALVES 1-17: Broncos disrupt NRL top order; $700k elephant in room
D-DAY ARRIVES: 160 NRL players hit the open market… who your club must keep
However, Jennings faced other off-field issues during his time away from the game and the NRL are yet to rubberstamp his return.
Train and trial deals allow players to train full-time with the NRL squad on approximately $1000 per week, but not play NRL until Round 11.
Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!
However, clubs can receive special dispensation from the NRL if injuries or suspension prevent a club from naming the required amount of players.
Jennings has scored 154 tries in 298 games for the Panthers, Roosters and Eels since his debut in 2007 and played 18 Origins for the Blues and 19 Tests for Australia and Tonga.
Should his return to the NRL with the Roosters get the green light, Jennings has the chance to pass the 300-game mark at the back end of the season.
