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Panthers boss Brian Fletcher has issued a stern hands off edict to rival clubs looking to launch a raid on Penrith’s rising stars Stephen Crichton and Matt Burton.
With the Bulldogs set to make the announcement about new coach Trent Barrett official, Canterbury-Bankstown has also targeted Crichton and Burton as the ideal recruits for 2022.
But Fletcher told Fox Sports the Panthers were well advanced in terms of contract extensions for the young gun pair and planned to retain them at the foot of the mountains.
The Panthers boss also stressed coach Ivan Cleary had spoken to outgoing assistant Barrett about refraining from attempting to poach any of Penrith’s emerging NRL talent.
“Ivan and Trent have spoken about doing the right thing and I’m confident we won’t have a problem there,” Fletcher said.
“We’ll be locking up all of our best young talent in the near future, all of those sorts of talks are already a fair way down the track.
“There’s no dramas there. The club’s headed in the right direction and the players want to be here because we’re winning.”
Since the departure of Phil Gould, the Panthers have set-up a recruitment and retention committee comprising coach Cleary, CEO Fletcher, deputy chairman Greg Alexander, Cameron Ciraldo, Peter Wallace, Dave O’Neill and head of recruitment Matt Cameron.
Gun centre Crichton is off contract for the 2021 season but is free to field offers from rival clubs from November 1 this year.
Crichton has scored nine tries in 10 NRL matches this season and looks a special talent.
The Bulldogs intended to target the gun rookie using brother Christian, who plays wing for Canterbury-Bankstown, as the hook.
But Panthers boss Fletcher is confident he will remain at Penrith.
The same goes for rookie five-eighth Burton who is also free to field offers from rival clubs from November 1.
https://coupler.foxsports.com.au/ap...a7d104cb20bfed5c91c?__twitter_impression=true