Mavrik Geyer, the son of Penrith Panthers icon Mark Geyer, is poised to join the Wests Tigers after being informed he won’t have a spot in the Panthers’ lineup for the upcoming season. Geyer announced his departure to teammates on Wednesday, as his current contract comes to an end.
Over his tenure at Penrith, Geyer made 13 first-grade appearances, although he has only featured in two NRL matches this season. Reports from The Sydney Morning Herald confirm that he has accepted a one-year deal with the Tigers. Shane Elford, the Panthers’ general manager, expressed regret over losing the local talent to a rival club but acknowledged that Geyer has been overshadowed by an impressive roster of premiership-winning players.
“Mav has shown he can compete at the highest level, but our successful lineup has left him without a clear opportunity,” Elford stated. “Now, he has a chance to join another club where he can play first-grade football.”
While the Panthers are disappointed to see a home-grown player leave, there is optimism about Geyer’s potential with the Tigers, a club currently focused on enhancing their back row depth. This move also allows the 24-year-old to carve out his own legacy while honoring his father’s storied career. Mark Geyer won a premiership with the Panthers in 1991 before spending a season at the Tigers and later moving to the Western Reds.
Geyer’s transfer to Concord is part of a broader trend, as he joins other former Panthers players like Jarome Luai, Sunia Turuva, and Taylan May in moving to the Tigers. Elford described the decision as a difficult but ultimately necessary step for Geyer’s career progression, emphasising the need for players to seize opportunities to play consistently.
As Geyer embarks on this new chapter, he aims to follow in his father’s footsteps and establish his mark in the NRL, especially with exciting prospects on the horizon, such as the introduction of the Perth Bears in 2027. Elford concluded that while losing home-grown talent is always challenging, the club is dedicated to supporting players in their pursuit of success, and Geyer is a commendable young athlete poised for growth.