The 32-year-old was linked with a shock move to Super League on Thursday, with reports Down Under suggesting that Sorensen is a player of interest for the Saints as they begin to piece together their squad plans for 2026 and beyond.
Sorensen has become a mainstay at Penrith, featuring in all four of their Grand Final triumphs from 2021 to 2024.
However, Love Rugby League has been told that while Sorensen’s name has informally come up among Super League clubs, it is not a line of interest the Saints are looking to pursue at present.
Furthermore, the notion they would offer a player of Sorensen’s age marquee money is also believed to be untrue, club sources have stressed.
There is also a further complication with the fact that Sorensen is under contract for 2026, and there appears to be no notion of Penrith releasing him early as things stand – nor is there an interest in an immediate move to Super League.
However, the Saints are scouring the NRL market for potential options to add to their squad next year as they prepare for some significant departures.
There will definitely be at least one quota spot free, with James Bell heading to Hull FC. The likes of Konrad Hurrell, Agnatius Paasi, Curtis Sironen and Moses Mbye are also off-contract.
Saints coach Paul Wellens admitted earlier this week he envisages an ‘evolution’ of the club’s squad going into next year, hinting at a major recruitment drive, with Joe Batchelor and Morgan Knowles also among those departing.
But as things stand, Sorensen will not be a Saints player in 2026.
Melbourne Storm Edges Past Penrith Panthers In Grand Final Rematch
Despite Nathan Cleary’s early exit, the Panthers battled fiercely but ultimately fell short against Melbourne’s stormy offense.
“There’s been a collision with Hughes. They’ve come together acrobatically,” Michael Ennis commented during the game. His co-commentator Andrew Voss added, “Oh, this is extraordinary. Have a look at this. Two of the best, off the ball, have collided. And they are so the worse for wear.” The Panthers coach, Ivan Cleary, expressed optimism regarding his son’s condition, stating, “He remembers the incident, so that’s a good thing. So, yeah, hopefully he feels the same way tomorrow.”
With Cleary off the field, the Storm quickly capitalized on the situation, scoring two tries early in the game. Grant Anderson crossed the line in the fourth minute, followed by Eliesa Katoa in the tenth, giving Melbourne a swift 12-0 advantage. But Penrith, showing their fighting spirit, responded tenaciously. Paul Alamoti scored twice in a six-minute span, reducing the deficit to 14-10 by halftime.
The second half saw further twists, with Casey McLean scoring after the break, which allowed Penrith to take a brief lead against their rivals. However, the Storm wasn’t deterred and struck back with a try from Tyran Wishart, who increased Melbourne’s lead as the match progressed, showcasing their capability to dominate despite the earlier injury to Cleary.
The game unfolded with its share of tension and momentum swings. Brian To’o managed a late double towards the conclusion, reigniting hope for Penrith as they fought hard to stay competitive. Nonetheless, a costly mistake from Tom Jenkins proved detrimental to the Panthers’ chances, as it allowed the Storm to seal the game at 30-24.
In the aftermath of this tight contest, Melbourne celebrated their victory, but they too faced injury worries. Nick Meaney suffered a suspected fractured jaw following a collision with teammate Nelson Asofa-Solomona, which left the Storm’s depth in question moving forward. “We’ve had confirmation from the Melbourne Storm that Nick Meaney has a suspected fractured jaw following that collision,” reported Danika Mason. Meanwhile, Grant Anderson sustained a knee injury, although he returned to the field later in the match.
Cameron Munster also made headlines for being placed on report after committing a hip-drop tackle on Liam Martin during the game, reflecting the physical and intense nature of the rivalry.
In the build-up to the game, Melbourne aimed for some form of revenge after Penrith had previously secured their fourth consecutive NRL crown against them in the previous year’s grand final, finishing with a score of 14-6. However, the victory was bittersweet as injuries began to stack up for both teams.
“A bit like my life – erratic,” Munster reflected post-game regarding their win, acknowledging the ups and downs within his performance and that of the team during the match. “There were some moments in that game I’d like to have back. I’ve got to be smarter.”
Next, Melbourne faces the struggling Dragons in their upcoming match, while Penrith will look to regroup ahead of their showdown against South Sydney on March 27, aware that Cleary’s absence will be felt significantly against a formidable opponent.
The game served as a reminder of not only the competitiveness of the NRL but also the toll that such high-stakes matches can take on players’ health. As both teams strive to contend for the top position in the league, the fallout from this riveting rematch will surely linger, altering how they prepare for the challenges ahead.
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