Who is Mavrik Geyer? Penrith Panthers son of a gun set to make his NRL debut

Mark Molyneux

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Who is Mavrik Geyer? Penrith Panthers son of a gun set to make his NRL debut image

Mavrik Geyer will make his NRL debut for Penrith this week when the Panthers take on the Sydney Roosters on Thursday night.

The 23-year-old, who has worked his way through the youth ranks at the club, will add to the Geyer family legacy at Penrith when he joins his father, Mark, in donning the famous jersey.

Who is Mavrik Geyer? Penrith Panthers son of a gun set to make his NRL debut

Mark Geyer played over 100 games for the Panthers, which included their legendary maiden premiership win in 1991.

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The hard-nosed forward’s son will now get his shot at adding to this rich history when he takes the field for his first NRL game at Allianz Stadium.

It completes a long journey for the backrower which started when he joined the club as a teenager, where he worked his way through the grades to finally get his shot on the biggest stage.

Geyer has been a staple of the club’s NSW Cup team in the past three years, racking up 37 appearances to date.

Last year, he played 23 matches in reserve grade, averaging just shy of 100 run metres per game while tackling at an 89 per cent efficiency.

It showcased solid progression for Geyer after he had first alerted the general public to his potential during the trials in 2022.

In a 34-6 win over the Cronulla Sharks, Geyer scored with his first touch of the footy after coming on before he finished with a try, a try assist and 104 run metres.

"It was on Sunday because he was at a recovery session as he played for the NSW Cup on the Saturday," Mark Geyer said on Triple M’s Mick and MG in the Morning, when recalling how he found out his son would be making his NRL debut this week.

"He got replaced early that game which was strange as he normally plays 80 minutes. My wife Meagan said that they might be bringing him off to play first grade.

"This year he hasn’t missed one training session in the off-season, he’s done every session. He went to England for the World Cup Challenge.

"We’re immensely proud of him, he’s a beautiful kid."

Mavrik Geyer contract

Geyer has been handed his opportunity after an injury to Scott Sorensen forced a re-shuffle in the side.

Luke Garner has been promoted off the bench to start in the backrow, which opened a spot up on the pine for Geyer to take.

"It’s an exciting time for him and his family," Ivan Cleary said of Geyer's inclusion in the 17.

"He’s been very patient. He’s really knuckled down over the last couple of years, he’s worked very hard for this, and I think he’s ready."

Geyer only signed a contract extension with the club last year which saw him promoted into the top 30 squad, with Mark revealing his son turned down a move to Melbourne Storm to remain with the Panthers.

"Re-signing with the club means everything to me," Mavrik Geyer said after inking a deal which will take him through until the end of the 2025 season.

"I’ve been here for the past two years training with the NRL squad, and I’ve learnt so much already - hopefully I can start playing some NRL soon.

"This club means so much to me. I’ve lived two minutes from here my whole life. It’s where my dad played, it’s where my uncles (Greg & Ben Alexander) played. This club is a second home to me, it’s like family."

Mark Molyneux

Mark Molyneux Photo

Mark Molyneux is a freelance writer covering the NRL and UFC for Sporting News Australia. He has previously worked in the music industry and as a teacher around the world.