Parramatta is keen on securing the services of Liam Martin and their trump card could be his cousin, incoming Eels assistant coach Trent Barrett.
Martin has one more year to run on his Penrith contract but will open to offers from rivals if he isn’t re-signed before November 1.
Stephen Crichton, Liam Martin, Spencer Leniu, Brian To’o, Scott Sorensen and Charlie Staines are also set to hit the open market, while fellow Panthers Viliame Kikau and Apisai Koroisau will depart, to the Bulldogs and Tigers respectively, after Sunday’s grand final.
Some of the club’s biggest names have been prepared to take less than their market worth in recent years to keep the core group together, but even so, the Panthers brace for the prospect of losing two big names every year. They are hopeful that Martin won’t be one of them but will struggle to compete with cashed-up rivals.
One of them is their grand final opponent. The Eels are looking to rebuild their forward pack with the impending losses of Reed Mahoney, Isaiah Papali’i, Marata Niukore, Oregon Kaufusi and Ray Stone. The blue and golds have already poached one Panthers forward, J’maine Hopgood, for 2022 and hope that Martin will follow suit.
The Eels are keen to sign Liam Martin.Credit:Janie Barrett
Martin said the interest from Penrith’s western Sydney rivals was flattering.
“Absolutely. They’re a successful club, to even be in talks [about joining] is pretty cool,” Martin said.
“Obviously, my first commitment is to Penrith and hopefully, we can get there and I’ll be able to stay. I’d love to be a Panther for life, that’s my first priority. But it’s footy, so you never know what’s going to happen.”
One of the drawcards in switching sides would be Barrett. The former NSW pivot is first cousins with Martin and the pair enjoyed a strong working relationship when Barrett was part of Penrith’s coaching staff.
“He’s awesome, he’s my cousin. I looked up to him growing up,” Martin said.
“When he came here he taught me heaps, taught all the boys so much. You see how much footy knowledge he’s got.
“He’s going to be a massive asset to the Eels, and it’s going to be worrying with him there next year.”
Barrett won’t officially begin his role as Parramatta assistant coach until next year, but was spotted imparting advice to “spine” players Mitchell Moses, Dylan Brown, Clint Gutherson and Reed Mahoney after a recent training session. Barrett has an intimate knowledge of Penrith and its attacking structures after working at the club, but Martin doesn’t think he’ll dish any dirt ahead of the grand final.
“He’s awesome, he’s my cousin. I looked up to him growing up.”
Liam Martin on his cousin, Trent Barrett.
“I don’t think he’s like that, so probably not,” Martin said. “I don’t know what his role is there, he will certainly have them firing.”
There has been speculation that Staines, who will retain his spot on the wing after Taylan May failed to overcome a hamstring injury, could leave before his contract expires to free up salary cap space.
Asked about his future, Staines said: “I’m contracted for next year. I’m a Penrith Panther until I’m not contracted.”
Having missed out on the opportunity to mix with their community during last year’s grand final – the competition shifted to Queensland due to COVID-19 – the Penrith players are looking forward to a more traditional build-up.
“To have that training session and have that connection with fans is a massive thing,” said three-quarter Stephen Crichton after an open training session that was open to supporters on Tuesday.
“To see that many people come out and show that support to us, we really feel loved.”
Watch the NRL Grand Final Exclusive Live and Free on Channel 9 and 9Now.
