Ivan Cleary and Penrith continue to re-stock their pathways with talented players from rival NRL clubs.
Peken played in the Western Suburbs Magpies’ Under-17 side in Harold Matthews Cup this year, and was also part of the Patrician Brothers’ Blacktown team that won the Peter Mulholland Cup at schoolboy level. The teenager can play centre or wing, and has also been used in the halves at times.
He’s the second player to leave the Tigers’ system to sign with Penrith after Harold Matthews Cup teammate Thomas Goodfield did so in August. Peken and Goodfield will both reportedly play SG Ball Cup for the Panthers in 2026 (Under-19 level).
Goodfield also plays in the outside backs and was one of the most highly-rated youngsters in the Tigers’ pathways system. “My dad, who was a diehard Parra fan, got me into playing footy, and it’d be mad and good for my family (to one day play in the NRL),” Goodfield told Zero Tackle earlier this year. “I’ve played this sport all the way up through the grades, but I’d just be over the moon about it if it does happen in the future. It would be so good (to play in the NRL).”
Penrith’s poaching of Peken and Goodfield comes after they released young fullback prodigy Jake Attard to the Tigers. Attard is an Australian schoolboys representative who was once viewed as Dylan Edwards’ long-term successor at the Panthers. But he was seemingly leap-frogged by Jaxen Edgar, who was recently extended until the end of 2028 and upgraded to the club’s top-30 roster.
As well as raiding the Tigers’ pathways system, the Panthers have also taken a liking to the Warriors. Cleary, who used to coach the Warriors, has reportedly convinced five players – Freddy Lussick, Kalani Going, Tom Ale, Toby Crosby and Patrick Moimoi to move across the ditch to Penrith. All five were part of the Warriors’ squad that won the NSW Cup premiership in reserve-grade this year.
Meanwhile, the Warriors have suffered a further blow with Calvin Harris-Tavita (brother of Chanel) being upgraded and extended by the Broncos. Calvin is a highly-rated half who’s even been described as the “next Benji Marshall”.
Despite his brother being a star for the Warriors, the teenager has taken his talents to Brisbane. The 17-year-old signed with the Broncos’ academy this year, and has now earned a contract extension and full-time deal.
It continues the Broncos’ push into New Zealand after Deine Mariner, Xavier Willison and Jordan Riki were all recruited as teenagers. “For the past decade we’ve been working at a grassroots level in New Zealand,” Broncos head of recruitment Simon Scanlan told The Courier Mail. “Over that time, and particularly the past four years, we’ve seen a surge in the popularity of rugby league through schools and junior clubs.”
Speaking back in 2023, the chairman of New Zealand Maori rugby league spoke glowingly of the younger Harris-Tavita brother. One of the most respected voices in Kiwi rugby league, John Devonshire likened Harris-Tavita to a young Marshall due to his step and speed.
“He is the next Benji Marshall to be honest,” Devonshire told News Corp. “He is that good. I haven’t seen someone as exciting as he is for many, many years. Especially as a seven (halfback).”
