PHIL Gould has finally landed the one that kept getting away.

The Panthers boss has waited six years to enjoy the spoils of a particularly prized catch, boom Rabbitohs second-rower Chris Grevsmuhl, who joins Penrith on a lucrative two-year deal in 2017.

But one of the game’s most influential figures will have to admire from afar for a while longer yet, with Grevsmuhl determined to see out the final year of his contract with Souths despite the Panthers wanting him at the foot of the mountain this season.

Gould has had eyes for Grevsmuhl since his days as a talented Cowboys junior, and chased the Hughenden product hard when he came off contract at North Queensland in 2013.

Round 19

Not for the first time though the Panthers supremo missed Grevsmuhl’s services, Rabbitohs coach Michael Maguire sneaking under Gould’s guard and picking up one of the most impressive rookies of 2015.

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Chris Grevsmuhl confirmed himself as one of the best young forwards in the game last year. Source: News Corp Australia

“I’ve spoken to Gus for the past five or six years,” Grevsmuhl tells foxsports.com.au about fielding interest from one of the most recognisable names in the NRL.

“He’s been quite unlucky before that I’ve chosen to stay where I am or go elsewhere but we’ll finally be linking up together.

“When I first looked at moving down south Madge (Maguire) got the jump there but Gus came up and had a chat.

“But better late than never and I’m very happy to be heading out there next year.

“I know that he’s been wanting me for a while and now we get to link up and there’ll be a bit of insight from both of us for each other.”

With extensive roster renovations taking place under new coach Anthony Griffin, the Panthers approached Grevsmuhl about starting his stint out west in time for the 2016 season.

But after Maguire and the Rabbitohs gave the 23-year-old his start — when a 2013 ACL rupture had threatened his career before it had even got off the ground — Grevsmuhl was adamant he owed the club one final year in the cardinal and myrtle.

Penrith’s Phil Gould and Anthony Griffin were both keen on securing Chris Grevsmuhl for 2016. Source: News Corp Australia

“We spoke about it. Penrith were keen to get me out there early. Like most clubs if you’re getting them for one year you’d want them the year before too,” Grevsmuhl said.

“But I really wanted to have the last year at Souths because that’s what I’m signed for.

“I want to grow more as a player and a person and Madge is a really smart coach, and I trust him with his judgment.

“Madge was good with it. He’s always been a mentor since I was looking to come to Souths. He just said go with your heart and you never know what will happen in the future.

“We could both end up five or six years down the road and he might be coaching somewhere else or still at Souths and we could cross paths again.”

Grevsmuhl is currently aiming for a round one return to the park after clean up surgery on his knee forced him out of the recent All Stars game and each of the Bunnies’ pre-season trials.

As well as adding to his 22 NRL caps, playing alongside returning superstar Sam Burgess is an enticing prospect for Grevsmuhl given Slammin’ Sam took him under his considerable wing back in 2014.

But the promise of a long term deal, as well as a new generation of gun Panther cubs is what eventually convinced him his future lay beyond The Burrow.

“In the long run we saw that they’ve got some good young players coming through and I thought that maybe I could go there and in two years I could be holding another premiership,” Grevsmuhl said.

“I looked at that and that’s probably what got me over the edge.

“My partner and I just looked at the long term. First preference was to stay with Souths but what was on the table wasn’t quite what we were after, and that happens.

“In any case I’m here to put my best foot forward for Souths this year and put a show on for the fans. Hopefully we’ll bring home another trophy.”

The writer is on Twitter @dan_walsh64