Penrith legend Mark ‘MG’ Geyer has thrown up a scenario he believes would see veteran playmaker James Maloney leave the Panthers to join the Gold Coast Titans next season.
There has been constant speculation the Panthers would be willing to let Maloney leave at season’s end despite having two years to run on his contract.
Panthers boss Phil Gould revealed on his Six Tackle With Gus podcast the Titans recently approached him to propose a player swap that would see Maloney head to the Glitter Strip and Tyrone Peachey stay in Penrith.
Peachey this week threatened to backflip on the three-year deal he has signed with Gold Coast, however it is expected the NSW Blues utility will honour his Titans deal.
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Gould declared Maloney ‘isn’t for sale’ but Geyer believes the number six would be allowed to walk if he delivers an unlikely premiership on September 30.
“Who bloody knows these days in rugby league,” Geyer said when asked if Maloney will see out the final two seasons of his contract on Triple M’s The Rush Hour With MG.
“To answer your question, yes, but I wouldn’t be surprised if – let’s say hypothetically Penrith win the comp – then I’d think that this might change a lot.
“… I think if Penrith won the comp Maloney would definitely go to the Titans.”
Geyer added: “If he does the job with Penrith like he’s been bought to do – he was bought to win a comp with Penrith – if he does it a year or two early, bravo to him.”
The NSW five-eighth has had stints at Melbourne, New Zealand Warriors, Sydney Roosters and the Cronulla Sharks since making his NRL debut in 2009.
The 32-year-old is renowned for his ‘giant footy brain’ but also has a reputation as a serial pest off the field who wears thin on team-mates, coaches and officials.
