The Wests Tigers secured a huge coup when they signed boom youngster Daine Laurie from the Penrith Panthers, but they need to wait until 2022 to secure his services.
The Tigers secured the fullback for the 2022 season and while there are reports a player swap could be on the cards, but as it stands, he is firmly a Panther for the 2021 season.
Laurie made his NRL debut for the Panthers in 2020 after being a core part of their junior development for so many years.
He represented their UNE SG Ball team in 2017 before transitioning to the Jersey Flegg Cup where he absolutely blew his opposition off the park. He scored 17 tries, made 20 line-breaks, 119 tackle-breaks and eight try-assists to win their Player of the Year award.
Laurie only had to play six games against men in the NSW Cup before his debut last year, proving his ability.
With Dylan Edwards and Caleb Aekins as the Panthers’ primary long-term fullback options given Laurie is eventually off to the Wests Tigers, it will be interesting to see how he fits into the first-grade fold in 2021 should he remain there.
He will no doubt tear up the NSW Cup should he not get a regular spot in their stacked backline.
If the speculation surrounding a player swap is true and he does line-up for the Wests Tigers in 2021, he will be a huge addition at fullback under Michael Maguire.
