Laurie talks on his decision to leave the Tigers and why he “can’t wipe the smile off his face” against the Panthers.
Even if his return to the Panthers is just temporary, Daine Laurie has opened up about his departure from the West Michigan Tigers and why it was an “easy decision.”
The 24-year-old acknowledged in an interview with foxsports.com.au that the previous season was “100%” his most difficult since entering the NRL.
After sharing the Kelly-Barnes Medal with the Tigers in 2021 and winning the Players’ Player award in 2022, Laurie lost his spot in the starting lineup to a rookie in 2023.
The Tigers expressed interest in keeping him, but only for a single season.
Laurie was able to join the three-time champions and go back to his starting point of his career despite the Panthers’ one-year offer.
Laurie remarked, “I wanted a couple of years, but they weren’t offering it.”
“Even though Penrith was only offering me a one-year contract, I jumped at the chance to sign with them. Saying no to a team like Penrith is difficult.
When the Grafton Ghosts junior joined the Panthers system in 2017, he was a member of their SG Ball team. After working his way up to make his NRL debut in 2020, he signed a contract with the Tigers with the goal of being a “regular first-grader.”
Laurie understood it completely. After playing 19 games in each of his first two seasons, he entered 2023 with an even greater sense of confidence.
Indeed, during a February interview with foxsports.com.au, Laurie stated
Bula took over the No. 1 jersey after that, and Laurie had to wait his turn in the New South Wales Cup.
“My season was interrupted by that injury,” Laurie remarked.
“I went into it with a ton of confidence and a strong preseason.” I recently had bad luck.
“Afterwards, Jahream began to show off his skills, making it difficult to regain the fullback position.”
“I simply exercised patience, and in retrospect, all I did was play football and give it my all during the Cup.
“I played with the Tigers almost the entire year when I first moved over there, and I did the same the next year. I experienced some minor difficulties.
Laurie responded, “Yeah a little,” when asked if that affected his confidence.
Playing five-eighth has grown on him, and he now likes it better than fullback.
“I liked playing fullback, but I also liked playing five-eighth.” I now prefer five-eighth (more). Rather than getting it out the back of a block, you get your hands on the ball first,” he remarked.
The fact that Penrith’s No. 6 jersey will be up for grabs in 2025 when Jarome Luai joins the Tigers makes it the ideal moment to switch to the halves as well.
Laurie answered, “Yes, we’ll see what happens,” in response to the question of whether he wanted that job.
He most likely would have responded.
