“But the way I run, I load up through the joint. They gave me a couple of days off legs. And the orthotics will hopefully fix the problem.”
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Martin is not in doubt for the Panthers’ season opener against Cronulla in Las Vegas, and said his AC joint – which required painkilling injections most of last year – and a rib injury he picked up during a wrestling session before the NRL grand final, were fully healed.
The Panthers had several players undergo off-season shoulder surgery, including Nathan Cleary, Dylan Edwards, new recruit Blaize Talagi and Liam Henry. All four are expected to be available for the opening-round clash against Cronulla, with only Henry in some doubt.
The young front-rower is expected to play limited minutes this weekend when the club holds an in-house opposed session. Henry was the only player of the quartet to also require a rotator-cuff repair, which requires more time to repair.
The Panthers had hoped to have a hit-out against NSW Cup side North Sydney, only for Melbourne – for whom the Bears are a feeder club – to poach four players for their own trial this weekend.
Coach Ivan Cleary spiked the Bears’ trial because “we didn’t really get what we thought we were going to get.”
Cleary told this masthead over the weekend that had the scrimmage against a second-string Bears proceeded, it would have been the equivalent of “the grand final winner playing against a Ron Massey team”.
Storm veteran Welch to retire on medical grounds
Dan Walsh
Melbourne prop Christian Welch will reluctantly call time on his NRL career as the Storm explore applying for a medical retirement and possible salary cap dispensation.
Welch, who featured in Melbourne’s 2020 premiership win and Queensland’s upset Origin series that same year, is set to announce his retirement this week after a 163-game career.
Storm prop Christian Welch.Credit: Getty
Sources speaking on the condition of anonymity have confirmed that a recent concussion and ongoing back issue that Welch played for much of 2024 have forced the 30-year-old prop’s hand.
Welch is contracted to the Storm for 2025, with a 2026 option triggered if he played the majority of games this season. He has battled through numerous serious injuries throughout his career, including two ACL tears and a ruptured Achilles.
Dispensation from the NRL for the 2025 portion of Welch’s contract would likely see the Storm keep their powder dry given the lack of notable props available on the market.
The arrival of Stefano Utoikamanu to play alongside Nelson Asofa-Solomona gives Melbourne one of the best starting front-rows and on Monday had most rival NRL captains tipping them as premiership favourites.
Storm props Josh King and Tui Kamikamica are both off-contract this season, while the club hopes to extend utility Tyran Wishart beyond the 2026 option in his current deal.
Sharks speedster Mulitalo re-signs as big man weighs up rival offer
Cronulla flyer Ronaldo Mulitalo has re-signed for another three years in a significant boost for the Sharks.
While prop Tom Hazleton weighs up a lucrative Dragons offer Cronulla will struggle to match, Mulitalo has re-committed until the end of 2028.
“The club has given me so much,” Mulitalo said. “I’ve been able to buy my mum a house by being here and committing to this family. I want to give back now to the club. I’ll try as hard as I can to do that.”
Panthers abandon trial because of Storm call
Christian Nicolussi
The Melbourne Storm have prompted their NRL grand final conquerors Penrith to abandon their last trial before flying to Las Vegas for the season opener.
The Panthers were banking on NSW Cup side North Sydney taking part in an opposed scrimmage on Saturday which would have allowed returning injured trio Nathan Cleary, Dylan Edwards and Liam Martin to get some valuable game time before the team heads to the US next Thursday.
Ivan Cleary had hoped for one final trial this weekend against Norths.Credit: Getty Images
But Panthers coach Ivan Cleary confirmed the trial against his former club was spiked after several Norths players were called up by Melbourne, with whom the Bears struck up an official alliance last year.
Morgan Harper, Ben Talty, Tui Katoa and Nathaniel Roache are among a host of Bears who will head to New Zealand with the Storm for a trial this weekend.
“We wanted a decent quality team, and Norths were the best option,” Cleary told this masthead. “[But] we didn’t really get what we thought we were going to get.”
Cleary said that had the scrimmage against the second-string Bears proceeded, it would have been the equivalent of “the grand final winner playing against a Ron Massey team”.
The Bears confirmed they were still happy for the trial to proceed, only to be told by Penrith on Monday it would not happen.
The change in plan means the bulk of Penrith’s squad, including Cleary, Edwards, Martin and Brian To’o, will take to the field against Cronulla at Allegiant Stadium on March 2 without having played an official trial match.
The premiers had reached out to the Bears after the NRL failed to schedule them in the Pre-season Challenge this weekend. Instead, Penrith will play a trial against Manly a week on Friday – when the bulk of their squad will be on the other side of the world.
It is not uncommon for senior players to skip pre-season games, but several Panthers underwent off-season surgeries, while Cleary also would have welcomed the chance to see his new No.6. Blaize Talagi, Jack Cole and Daine Laurie are some of the contenders to wear Jarome Laui’s vacant jumper.
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Bold Gamble: Knights five-eighth backs club’s pursuit of Dylan Brown
Robert Dillon
Newcastle five-eighth Tyson Gamble believes it would be a smart move by his club to sign Parramatta playmaker Dylan Brown, even it adversely impacts on his own selection prospects.
The Knights are reportedly pondering a huge play for Brown, who has a get-out clause in his contract with the Eels that he can potentially activate by round 10 to become a free agent at season’s end.
The New Zealand international has spent the majority of his career at five-eighth – Gamble’s preferred position. Gamble said he had noted the speculation about Brown but wasn’t losing any sleep.
Indeed, he encouraged Newcastle officials to swoop on the 24-year-old. “He’s a special player, Dylan Brown,” Gamble said.
“He’s played for the Kiwis at a young age, and he’s a hell of a professional. If the club do go after him, I think that’s a very good decision.”
Queried about how that might affect his own career path, Gamble replied: “There’s no point in me worrying about that.
“To be honest, it’s not for this year and we’re still not even playing trial games yet. I’ve just got to worry about how I’m training and hopefully get myself in that team for round one.”
