Jamal Idris has received a release from the Gold Coast Titans and will join the Penrith Panthers on a three year contract.
The Titans released Idris on compassionate grounds after he did not attend the clubs first training session of the year. It is being reported that Idris is homesick and wanted to return to Sydney.
I was actually told Jamal Idris would be joining the Penrith Panthers about two months ago, so this isn’t something that has just happened in the last few days or so. That the Panthers already have him wrapped up with a three year deal says it all.
i really rate Jamal Idris, I think he has all the potential in the world. He has the potential to be one of the truly elite athletes in the game.
Idris exploded onto the scene with the Canterbury Bulldogs and quickly forced his way into the rep scene. At the time though I felt a lack of decent coaching saw Idris’ game struggle. He was a very raw athlete that just wasn’t improving the way he should have been.
His big money move to the Gold Coast Titans looked to be a good one for Idris. He struggled though with injury and his form probably wasn’t helped by the fact that the Titans faced all sorts of issues off the field.
A move to Penrith could be just what Idris needs.
Idris has played his entire career in the centers however I tend to think his future lies in the forwards. He is probably the strongest player in the NRL, he regularly throws opposition players around with ease, but it all comes back to his fitness and motivation.
If Idris can drop some weight and keep healthy he will be nothing short of a steal for the Panthers. At only 23 years of age and with representative honours, Idris could be a real x factor for Penrith.
