Recruit watch: Luke Garner
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The NRL market has been in full swing for 2023 with several stars switching clubs ahead of the new season.
NRL.com takes a look at the major transfers and how your club will benefit from a star arrival.
Recruit watch:
- Player: Luke Garner
- Age: 27
- Position they'll fill: Second row
- Contracted until: 2024
What Garner can bring
Penrith recruit Luke Garner has headed down the M4 to reunite with the man that handed him his NRL debut in 2018 and becomes instantly in contention to fill the void left by Viliame Kikau on the left edge.
A strong hole-runner who should benefit running off the likes of Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai on both edges, Panthers coach Ivan Cleary has picked up the 27-year-old on a two-year deal after 75 appearances for Wests Tigers.
At 94kg and 190cm tall, Garner is a consistent, no-fuss forward who stood tall in both attack and defence for Wests Tigers in 2022, despite his side slumping to their first-ever wooden spoon.
The Bilambil junior will also bring utility value to the Panthers after being shuffled between the back-row, centre and interchange bench during his time at the joint venture.
Luke Garner scores a screamer
Why it'll work
The Panthers rarely sign players they don't need, and with the departure of Kikau it's evident that they want to find the right player to fill that spot.
Garner is coming into his prime years as a back-rower and with a move to the premiers giving him a fresh start, it gives him an opportunity to work with some of the best players in the game - something he wasn't afforded at the Tigers.
The Panthers are the team to beat again in 2023 and Ivan Cleary knows what Garner can bring to a side and equally the premiership-winning coach can get the former Manly junior playing his best footy.
Garner faces tough competition to secure a spot with premiership-winner Scott Sorensen, Brisbane recruit Zac Hosking, NSW Cup star Preston Riki and Chris Smith all vying for a position.
Selected in Australia's Prime Minister's XIII in September, Garner didn’t look out of place during his 41 minutes in the green and gold and will no doubt be pushing for more representative opportunities in 2023.
With every player in Penrith’s starting pack from 2022 having represented at either state or international level, if there's anyone to help Garner fulfil his potential, it will be Ivan Cleary and the Panthers.
