Panther 595
38 matches [2020-2022]
92 points [23 tries]
Stats: themightypanthers.com/players_staines-charlie.htm
Forbes junior who moved to Penrith in 2018, playing part in their SG Ball team. In 2019, he moved up to the Jersey Flegg competition and his performances saw him awarded the club’s Jersey Flegg player of the year as part of the Merv Cartwright Medal.
In 2020 he joined the NRL squad as a development player, making his NRL debut as a last-minute replacement on the wing versus Cronulla at Netstrata Jubilee Oval. After crossing for his debut try in the first half, a second half hat trick saw him bag a total of four in the 56-24 demolition of the Sharks – the highest try tally for a debutant since 2008.
However, he breached the COVID-19 “bubble” requirements and was forced into a 14-day self-isolation. Upon the end of this period, he was made available for the match versus Manly at Lottoland. A double inside the first 20 minutes, in which he showed his lightning speed and acrobatic finishing had him sitting on 6 tries in less than 100 minutes of his fledgling NRL career, but a hamstring injury sustained in the second try saw him sit out the remainder of the game.
Whilst he recovered, he was unable to crack it back in to the 17 for the remainder of the season. In September, he extended his stay at the Panthers until the end of 2023.
Starting the 2021 season on the wing, he was not able to replicate the same scoring rate, crossing for his first try in Round 3. He would bag four doubles and also a hat trick as he accumulated 14 tries in 21 appearances, including one at fullback. However, he would be dropped with only a month remaining in the season, although he made one more appearance in week 1 of the finals. He was named in the extended 21 player squad for the grand final, however did not make the cut for the final 17 that ran out.
In 2022, he started the season on the wing, and played the first eight matches. Later, he would either be in the extended NRL squad as the 18th man or appearing in the NSW Cup squad, but would make five more appearances during the second half of the regular season. Injury saw him return in the preliminary final versus South Sydney, and retained his spot in the grand final, crossing for a try in their 28-12 win over Parramatta.
However, it would be his final match for Penrith, having signed with the Wests Tigers for the 2023 season.
Last updated 17 November 2022
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