LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
The Penrith Panthers have faced a significant setback in their recruitment efforts as 20-year-old Warriors back-rower Kayliss Fatialofa has reportedly reversed his decision to join the club. News Corp is reporting that Fatialofa has chosen to stay with the Warriors after initially agreeing to switch clubs.
The reason behind Fatialofa's decision to back out appears to be linked to a recent 10-day cooling-off period where players can reconsider their commitments after announcing a move. This gave the Warriors the opportunity to enhance their offer, ultimately convincing Fatialofa to stay in New Zealand.
Following a new rule implemented by the NRL last offseason, players have a 10-day window to change their minds post-agreement with a new club, a measure aimed to protect both players and teams should situations evolve after signing.
Fatialofa is regarded as a promising talent within the Warriors, having captained their SG Ball Cup team at the Under-19 level. Though he has yet to debut in the NRL, he has been included in the Warriors' 22-player squad multiple times recently. This year, he has played every match for the Warriors' NSW Cup team during their historic winning streak, contributing 12 tries, making 574 tackles, and averaging 90 running metres per game in the past 16 weeks.
His decision to remain with the Warriors is a setback for the four-time champions, who are focusing on nurturing young talent and revitalizing their development systems. Under Ivan Cleary's leadership, the Panthers have allowed several veteran players, including Brad Schneider, Daine Laurie, and Mavrik Geyer, to pursue opportunities elsewhere. They have also secured the signing of promising playmaker Keahn Skipps from the Raiders to serve as Nathan Cleary's future backup.