Their forward pack was a major cause for concern in 2024, and the loss of Armstrong will only add to that headache. Lang wrote on Sunday: “The 190cm, 94kg, 20 year-old giant represented the Queensland Under-19 team last year and is highly regarded by Penrith officials. Having lost so many promising junior players over the last five years, it appears as if the ‘Panthers empire’ is striking back.”
The Penrith Panthers have reportedly scored a stunning signing coup, poaching one of the best young players in the country from the Brisbane Broncos. Penrith-based journalist Peter Lang reported on Sunday that second-rower Harry Armstrong has signed with the four-time champion Panthers.
Armstrong played for Queensland in the Under-19s State of Origin game in 2024 and is widely regarded as one of the best young forwards in the country. The 20-year-old Armstrong had been in the Broncos pathways system, and the Brisbane club had big raps on the young forward.
But his signing with the Panthers will come as a hammer for new Broncos coach Michael Maguire, who is trying to turn the club around after their embarrassing flop in 2024. After making the grand final in 2023 and losing to the Panthers, the Broncos slumped to 12th on the ladder last year in a stunning fall from gra
ce.
Speaking last June about representing Queensland in State of Origin, Armstrong said: “It means a lot to me…will be the first time I put on this Queensland jersey, so it’s a real privilege. I’m excited that I get the opportunity to run out there for my state… it’s special.”
“I just want to try and play some good footy, wherever it is, and try and keep going up to try and get to the NRL, whenever that will be. Making this Queensland team was one of my goals at the start of the year so it’s good to get that one ticked off
Broncos fans ‘filthy’ after club loses Harry Armstrong
Armstrong got to lean on Queensland greats Ben Te’o and Darius Boyd in Under-19s Origin camp, and Queensland Rugby League pathways and performance head coach Nathan Cross had declared he “epitomises what Queensland is all about”. But his signing with the Panthers hasn’t gone down well north of the border, especially after Penrith denied Brisbane the NRL premiership in 2024 when Nathan Cleary masterminded a stunning comeback in the last 20 minutes.
One fan wrote: “Very surprised one of the three South-East Queensland teams (Broncos, Titans and Dolphins) haven’t snapped him up.” While another commented: “Filthy with this. Harry is exactly the type of forward Brisbane desperately needed.”
