The Dolphins have swooped on another Penrith young gun, signing under 19s standout Mason Teague to their top squad for 2023.
Teague captained the Panthers to SG Ball glory earlier this year, scoring a try in a remarkable grand final which saw Penrith come from 20-0 down to beat the Roosters 22-20.
That fightback was led by halfback Isaiyah Katoa, who the Dolphins already nabbed a few months ago.
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“Mason is fast, skilful, is very tough defensively and already has the fitness to play full games,” Dolphins CEO Terry Reader said.
“He really is the full package, and that is why he will be a member of our inaugural top 30 squad.”
“In the grand final, he showed his maturity by leading his team back into a game they had no right to win.”
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While there are justifiably question marks over the expansion franchise’s short-term prospects, they’ve hoovered up plenty of highly-rated young guns going into 2023.
Apart from Teague and Katoa, Jack Bostock was signed from the Dragons system in May, while they signed five-eighth Michael Roberts, hooker Harrison Graham and outside back Valynce Te Whare as part of their initial blitz in late 2021.
“He [Teague] is yet another example of the strategies we have always had – that of building a roster for the long term – not just our entry to the competition next year – and of giving some of the best young talent in the country a shot at the NRL,” Reader said.