The Penrith Panthers have continued their recruitment spree of rising playmakers, bolstering their halves depth with the signing of highly rated halfback Elijah Birve from the Sunshine Coast.
The 18-year-old halfback has signed a two-year deal with the four-time premiers, joining Penrith from the Sunshine Coast Falcons, Melbourne Storm’s feeder club, and will remain with the Panthers until the end of 2027.
A standout in this year’s Queensland Under-18 schoolboys side, Birve is expected to begin the 2026 season in the Panthers’ SG Ball Cup team.
The signing of the young halfback extends Penrith’s recent recruitment drive targeting emerging playmakers, following the additions of Keahn Skipps from the Canberra Raiders and Haami Loza from the Newcastle Knights.
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The Panthers’ halves depth now features Trent Toelau (signed until the end of 2026), Jack Cole (2026), and Blaize Talagi (2027), who has already cemented himself as a regular first-grade five-eighth this season.
The club’s recent poaching of talented halves from rival sides has sparked speculation among fans about the future of star halfback and co-captain Nathan Cleary.
While Cleary is contracted through the end of 2027, the Panthers are understood to be keen to secure their marquee playmaker beyond that point.
However, speculation has emerged that Cleary’s career could take him elsewhere, with rumours circulating this year that he might be considering a move to the Super League.
This chatter has been fueled by the suggestion that he could be looking to relocate closer to his girlfriend, Mary Fowler, who spends much of the year in the UK playing for Manchester City
Despite the speculation, Cleary has firmly denied all reports so far.