‘Shocked he was off-contract’: How NRL prodigy went from ‘scary’ Bulldogs exit to Panthers coup
When Paul Alamoti was preparing for his HSC in 2021, he watched the Penrith Panthers claim their first premiership of a budding dynasty. Three years later, the 21-year-old scored the try that sealed the club’s historic four-peat — a stunning rise from being let go by the Bulldogs just 18 months prior.
Alamoti admits his journey since joining the defending premiers has wildly exceeded all expectations. In the back end of 2023, he was searching for a new club after a “scary” exit from Canterbury that left many questioning why such a prodigy was off-contract. Within months, he had signed with Penrith, won a premiership ring, made his international debut and secured a new long-term deal.
Next week, he will kick off his third NRL season in the glitz of Las Vegas when the Panthers face the Sharks at Allegiant Stadium — with sights set on an unprecedented five-peat. But before diving into the new campaign, Alamoti took time to reflect on his remarkable trajectory.
“My headspace was just ‘I’m going to go to Penrith with the attitude of wanting to learn, challenge myself and see where I’m at’,” he told foxsports.com.au. “Then 12 months later I was ticking off boxes every kid dreams of their whole life.”
The off-season gave him time to sit back and process how far he had come. “In 2020 I was in year 11 watching the grand final; 2021 I was in year 12 watching these boys win their first title,” he said. “Ever since the dynasty started I’ve admired their style — to be in it now is very surreal.”
Sitting at the top of his core memories is the 2024 Grand Final try that secured victory. With Penrith leading 10-6 and 20 minutes remaining, Alamoti — shifted to the wing after Brian To’o’s injury — raced for the corner, fending off a desperate Ryan Papenhuyzen, Xavier Coates and Cameron Munster to score.
“This gives me goosebumps every time I think about it,” he said. “In the moment I was knackered, but when the ball came to me all tiredness vanished — I just had eyes for the tryline. The feeling is indescribable; I felt on top of the world.”
As he fist-pumped towards the roaring crowd before being swarmed by teammates, it was personal vindication for the setback that had set his extraordinary journey in motion.
