Even if his return to the Panthers is just temporary, Daine Laurie has opened up about his departure from the West
Michigan Tigers and why it was a “easy decision.”
The 24-year-old acknowledged in an interview with foxsports.com.au that the previous season was “100%” his most
difficult since entering the NRL.
After sharing the Kelly-Barnes Medal with the Tigers in 2021 and winning the Players’ Player award in 2022, Laurie
lost his spot in the starting lineup to a rookie in 2023.
The Tigers expressed interest in keeping him, but only for a single season.
Laurie was able to join the three-time champions and go back to his starting point of his career despite the Panthers’
one-year offer.
Laurie remarked, “I wanted a couple of years, but they weren’t offering it.”
“Even though Penrith was only offering me a one-year contract, I jumped at the chance to sign with them. Saying no
to a team like Penrith is difficult.
When the Grafton Ghosts junior joined the Panthers system in 2017, he was a member of their SG Ball team. After
working his way up to make his NRL debut in 2020, he signed a contract with the Tigers with the goal of being a
“regular first-grader.”
Laurie understood it completely. After playing 19 games in each of his first two seasons, he entered 2023 with an
even greater sense of confidence.
“I wanted a couple of years, but they weren’t offering it,” Laurie said.
“I seized the opportunity to sign with Penrith, despite the fact that they were only offering me a one-year contract.
It’s hard to say no to a team like Penrith.
The youngster from Grafton Ghosts was on the Panthers’ SG Ball team in 2017 when he signed on. He finally broke
through to play in the NRL in 2020, and he inked a deal with the Tigers intending to become a “regular first-grader.”
Laurie got it entirely. Entering 2023 with even more confidence, he has played 19 games in each of his previous two
seasons.
first, after which Adam Doueihi spent some time there, and finally, in Round 8, 20-year-old Bula was let loose.
Bula took over the No. 1 jersey after that, and Laurie had to wait his turn in the New South Wales Cup.
“My season was interrupted by that injury,” Laurie remarked.
“I went into it with a ton of confidence and a strong preseason.” I recently had bad luck.
“Afterwards, Jahream began to show off his skills, making it difficult to regain the fullback position.”
“I simply exercised patience, and in retrospect, all I did was play football and give it my all during the Cup.
“I played with the Tigers almost the entire year when I first moved over there, and I did the same the next year. I
experienced some minor difficulties.
In response to the question of if that affected his confidence, Laurie stated, “Yeah, a little bit at first, but I love
‘Reamy.'” I was ecstatic for him as he was carving up.”
Bula earned the Kelly Barnes Medal in his debut season, and Laurie is honestly so impressed with him that he
believes he will develop into “one of the best fullbacks in the next couple of years.”
“He is strange. Laurie said, “He was killing it at the gym and the fittest fulla there.”
“I knew it would be difficult to unseat him if he got the chance.”
Laurie finally fought his way back into the first grade, where he participated in nine more games for the Tigers,
including some overtime.
Playing five-eighth has grown on him, and he now likes it better than fullback.
“I liked playing fullback, but I also liked playing five-eighth.” I now prefer five-eighth (more). Rather than getting it
out the back of a block, you get your hands on the ball first,” he remarked.
The fact that Penrith’s No. 6 jersey will be up for grabs in 2025 when Jarome Luai joins the Tigers makes it the ideal
moment to switch to the halves as well.
Laurie answered, “Yes, we’ll see what happens,” in response to the question of whether he wanted that job.
If Brad Schneider, Penrith’s new halfback recruit who is also gunning for that slot, hadn’t been listening in, there’s a
decent possibility he would have responded with greater assurance.
Laurie must first obtain an extension, though.
He has been practicing as a five-eighth, fullback, and wing, and the Panthers will undoubtedly benefit from his
versatility as they attempt to win their fourth consecutive championship.
Laurie claimed that he is “happy as being here,” therefore being on a one-year contract “doesn’t worry” him.
“The club exudes crazy vibes. To be honest, I find it impossible to hide my smile,” he continued.
“The boys all enjoy going to training; even though we get spanked, they don’t mind.” We just obtain
enter there and complete it. And we can all laugh together.
“I think that’s a big one just how tight they are, because you can tell they all love each other because they hang out all
the time,” the speaker said.
