Tyrone Peachey’s rumoured shift from the Gold Coast to Penrith has failed to eventuate with the Panthers today finalising their top 30 squad.
18-year-old prop Spencer Leniu has been upgraded, meaning there is no room for Peachey in Penrith’s roster.
The Peachey deal could still happen in time for the 2020 season.
Leniu said it was a dream come true to be promoted to the NRL squad at the Panthers.
“I had to fight back the tears when I was told I was being promoted to the top 30 as it’s something I’ve been working towards for a long time,” Leniu said on the Panthers’ website.
“I rang my dad straight away. It was one of the best feelings ever when he shed a tear and said how proud he was of me.
“I thank God for paving this pathway for me. I’m blessed and honoured to now have the opportunity to train and play alongside people I have always looked up to.”
Peachey had been linked to the Panthers in recent weeks with reports he was unhappy at the Titans after shifting north at the end of last season.
Penrith recently released Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Waqa Blake, freeing up salary cap space, but it’s understood the Panthers and Titans could not reach a financial agreement on Peachey.
The Weekender’s Masked Panther revealed yesterday that it was likely a development player, such as Leniu, would be promoted to the NRL squad.
Troy Dodds is the Weekender’s Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia’s leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.
