Rising Panthers Talent Mavrik Geyer Set to Join Wests Tigers in 2026 in Pursuit of First-Grade Career
Penrith Panthers forward Mavrik Geyer is reportedly on his way out of the club, with multiple sources confirming that the 24-year-old is set to join the Wests Tigers on a one-year deal starting in the 2026 NRL season. This unexpected move comes as Geyer looks to find more consistent first-grade opportunities after struggling to break into the Panthers’ powerhouse line-up.
Since making his debut in 2024, Geyer has made just 13 appearances in the NRL. In the current 2025 season, the young back-rower has featured in only two matches for Penrith. Despite being a promising talent and the son of former rugby league legend and current radio host Mark Geyer, Mavrik has found his path blocked by an elite roster of forwards that includes State of Origin standout Liam Martin, New Zealand international Scott Sorensen, and high-profile acquisition Isaiah Papali’i.
Geyer’s contract with Penrith runs out at the conclusion of the 2025 campaign, and it now appears he has decided to make a fresh start. According to The Sydney Morning Herald, the young forward has inked a one-year contract with the Wests Tigers beginning in 2026—a club in the midst of rebuilding and hungry for dependable forward options.
Panthers general manager Shane Elford expressed both disappointment and understanding regarding Geyer’s departure. Speaking to The Sydney Morning Herald, Elford praised Geyer’s potential and acknowledged the unfortunate situation the young forward found himself in due to the sheer talent depth at Penrith.
“We don’t ever want to lose a local junior, and Mav’s proven that he can play first grade and is a first-grade player,” Elford said. “It’s just unfortunate that we’ve had a really successful run, and there’s just players that have won multiple grand finals that are ahead of him at this point in time.”
Despite the club’s desire to retain homegrown talent like Geyer, Elford conceded that the club’s priority at the moment is to upgrade and extend contracts for their current top-tier players—such as Australian Kangaroos prop Lindsay Smith. As a result, fringe players like Geyer have found themselves sidelined by the depth of talent in the squad.
“For Mav, now he’s got an opportunity to go to another club and play first grade and help develop his career,” Elford added, wishing the forward well in his next chapter.
Geyer’s transition to the Wests Tigers won’t be without competition. While he’ll hope to earn a regular first-grade role, the Tigers already boast a promising group of back-rowers. Alex Seyfarth has enjoyed an impressive 2025 season, while young gun Samuela Fainu is emerging as a starting second-rower in his own right. Adding to that competition is the incoming arrival of English international Kai Pearce-Paul, who is set to join the Tigers from the Newcastle Knights in 2026.
Still, the move gives Geyer a fresh slate—a chance to stake his claim and establish himself as a consistent performer in the NRL. For a player who’s shown glimpses of potential but struggled to find opportunity in one of the league’s most dominant outfits, this could be the turning point in his professional rugby league journey.
Geyer’s name has always drawn attention thanks to his famous father, Mark Geyer, a larger-than-life figure in Australian rugby league who also transitioned into a popular media career. But Mavrik has long insisted on making his own name in the game. Those who’ve followed his development in the Panthers system speak highly of his work ethic, physicality, and willingness to learn—qualities that could serve him well as he takes this next step.
The Tigers, meanwhile, continue to look for the right mix of youth and experience to reshape their roster following several years of on-field struggles. With new talent coming in and others continuing to develop, the addition of Geyer could help bolster their depth and offer another hard-nosed option in the forward rotation.
This move highlights the difficulty for even talented players to crack the line-ups of clubs like the Panthers, who are stacked with premiership-winning veterans and international stars. It’s a reflection of how competitive the NRL has become, especially within top-tier teams like Penrith, who have built one of the most formidable rosters in recent memory.
At just 24 years old, Geyer’s career is still in its early stages, and a change of scenery might be exactly what he needs to reach his potential. A new club, a new system, and the promise of a clearer path to regular playing time could see him thrive in a way he hasn’t yet been able to.
While Panthers fans may be disappointed to see a home-grown talent move on, many will no doubt be hoping to see Geyer succeed elsewhere—even if it’s in the colors of a Sydney rival. For the Wests Tigers, the low-risk, one-year deal offers potential upside if Geyer can find his groove and make good on the promise he’s shown in limited NRL appearances.
In a league where opportunity can be the key difference between stagnation and stardom, Mavrik Geyer’s decision to join the Wests Tigers in 2026 is a bold but understandable step in pursuit of his dream. Time will tell if it pays off—but for now, it marks the beginning of a new chapter for a player determined to make a mark of his own.
