To be honest we are in a hole due to poor planning & recruitment of the previous coaching set up so we are restricted to a fair bit in that regard. However it seems the failings of the squad have been noted and both AP & BH are making changes to address these. Whilst Lovodua hasn’t taken the NRL by storm I don’t see us signing him just for the sake of it. I do believe he’s being brought over because he has a skill set we are and have been missing and the deal would indicate he’s going to have to show this. The wealth of talent in the NRL means there’s a good number of players who aren’t going to be regulars or find it difficult to crack into teams 17. Again these players are usually young, hungry and want to put themselves in the shop window. We also have to factor in the impact the covid pandemic has had on RL in terms of Southern Hemisphere players wanting to come to the U.K. whilst borders have still not officially opened etc.



I’m happy with the Lovodua signing as he is a player that offers what we have been lacking in the middle with both Houghton & Johnstone.



I’d also say the level of signings we as a club make are still decent Mau was a top NRL star, Satae and Sao have been good signings and in fairness carried out go forward this season especially. Fonua was signed on his past form and sadly he has looked a shadow of the player that left us.



ATEOTD we still need to move players out before we can bring others in which is going to be a difficult task but credit the club for at least actively trying to do the right thing to address things.

Anyone see the nrl grand final, the 2021 retirees was unbelievable!! Surprised we ain’t tried changing any of those minds! Mau’s a beast and proper pro, think he’ll go great next season, certainly better than any potential signing

The NRL Grand Final was the first I haven't attended since I came to Aus. in 1968. Was locked down in my area due to Covid rules.



Have been a Penrith season ticket holder for the past 20 seasons so was delighted to watch them win. Statistics were with them,however, as no team has ever won a GF having had 50 points scored against them in that season. Penrith were one of 2 teams who managed that against Souths. Also in NRL history no team has had 2 consecutive losses in GF's.



Finally I predicted that after Wayne Bennett left St George back in 2010 he would never coach another NRL team to a GF win! Lucky so far with that one.

The Grand Final was a tense affair, I felt for Walker, he's been brilliant all year and his long pass was either going to produce a try for Souths or go the way it did into Crichton's grasp for the intercept. They all looked totally exhausted at the finish, high intensity defence orientated game, but I was pleased Penrith got over the line, the Origin series really threatened to derail their season but they proved that if all the players turn up for each other, good things happen.

Really like the look of him and think he will get better, but two trys so far after playing 3 different positions, looks a strong runner and good defender.



Only on a one year deal, i would be tempted to be looking to extend that soon.

Hopefully we've got a clause in his contract to trigger an extension!

From what I've seen from him so far he looks like he may well turn out to be a signing much like Carlos that kind of went under the radar but turned out to be one the best signings done.

For me its not just Lovodua's turn of pace but his smart and quick thinking in and around the ptb.

Made a fair start IMO, seems to have some utility value.

Looks a natural.

Already done enough to warrant an extension to the one year deal.

100%, I'd be looking at extending it now, played 4 position in 5 games and done well in each one, imagine how good he will be in better weather and a settled position.

Joe Lovodua is fast becoming the new Sir Richard of Whiting AKA Superman. He is certainly a real find and possibly one of the best signings akin to Carlos, gone under the radar and just goes about his role and does what he does but does it well.