Panther's Staines locked into future as a Penrith playmaker

Staines, who made his debut in 2020 with an incredible four-try haul in July, was pressed ahead of long-time club veteran Josh Mansour in the club's starting line-up, starting a chain of events that would eventually send Mansour to the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

"It was sad to see Sauce (Mansour) go like that," Staines told NRL.com.

"He's obviously a good clubman and a good bloke as well. It was pretty hard in that sense."

"He's one of the blokes I've looked up to the entire time since I got here, since I was 18."

Staines described the circumstances as 'surreal', but said there was no bad blood between himself and the departing veteran.

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"It's surreal to be in this position where I'm training and playing with guys like that, but it's strange when that kind of thing happens too," Staines said.

"We didn't really talk about it or have to talk it out. Obviously there's no hard feelings, it's all good there. He gave his farewell speech and it was pretty emotional."

"That first Penrith-Souths game too, I reckon he'll get up for that one."

While the moment has come with it's fair share of hardships, Staines is now a lock to feature as part of a largely Central West staffed Panther's line-up that looks set to continue taking a starring role in the premiership chase.

While the Bulldogs and Tigers both circled Staines in order to lure him away, a recent contract extension that rivals that of Dubbo-product and co-captain Isaah Yeo's commitment will ensure Staines doesn't follow another Central West prodigy in the form of Matt Burton to Canterbury.

"It was a bit weird, having clubs looking at me, definitely the first time that's ever happened for me," Staines told NRL.com.

"I've played for Penrith for a few years and to get that attention, it's good I guess, but deep down I always knew that wanted to stay."

"I certainly had to consider the offers, you can't not right? But I was never fully committed to another team."

Staines shapes as a likely contender for the right wing spot, flanking Nathan Cleary out on the sides, which will represent a shake-up for the fast-moving junior.

"I prefer fullback, that's what I played coming through as a junior so I'm still adapting on the wing. I'm working out how to play my game out on the wing still," Staines said.

Dubbo will play host to an NRL match, where both Mansour and Staines will likely meet again, on May 23.