Penrith Panthers has confirmed the club’s NRL development players for the 2024 season.
The club is pleased to announce that Luke Sommerton, Isaiah Iongi, Preston Riki and Riley Price have committed to the Panthers.
“Luke, Isaiah and Preston have been valuable players for the Panthers Pathways teams over the past couple of seasons, and it’s exciting to see them confirmed as development players in 2024,” Panthers Rugby League CEO Matt Cameron said.
“As a club, we’re also excited to have Riley join the Panthers from the Cowboys, and we believe he will flourish at the club.”
LUKE SOMMERTON
23-year-old hooker Luke Sommerton has committed to the club after signing a development contract in 2024.
The Hills District Bulls junior made his NRL debut for the Panthers against the Sea Eagles in Round 24 this season and then featured in the final round clash against the Cowboys, in which he scored his first NRL try.
Sommerton has been a handy player for the club’s NSW Cup side this season and adds great depth to the NRL hooking ranks in 2024.
ISAIAH IONGI
Having trained with the NRL squad this season, Isaiah Iongi will be a development player for the Panthers in 2024.
A Queensland representative for the under-19s, Iongi was named the Panthers Jersey Flegg Player of the Year in 2022.
He has been a reliable player for the club’s NSW Cup team this season – having played 24 games at fullback, scoring five tries and assisting a further 18.
PRESTON RIKI
After a couple of injury setbacks in 2023, Panthers forward Preston Riki will be eager and ready to go next season.
The 25-year-old joined the Panthers in 2022 after three seasons with the New Zealand Warriors’ NSW Cup team.
Having represented the Maori All Stars earlier this year, Riki played nine games for the NSW Cup side this season.
RILEY PRICE
22-year-old forward Riley Price will join the Panthers as a development player in 2024.
Having joined the Cowboys in 2021, Price made his NRL debut against the Bulldogs in Round 5 this season, and has been a reliable player for the Townsville Blackhawks in the Queensland Cup over the past two seasons.
Raised in a sporting family, Riley is the son of former Australian prop Steve Price and nephew of Queensland representative Brent Tate, while his sister Jamie-Lee Price plays for the Giants in Super Netball.
