Penrith Panthers roster analysis: 16 players locked-in long-term but more salary cap pain is on the horizon
Penrith Panthers face losing four key forwards to rival clubs as the premiership powerhouse grapples with a looming salary cap crisis ahead of the 2027 season. Every player’s contract analysed.
Fatima Kdouh
Penrith are facing a huge hit to their forward pack stocks with four key cogs set to hit the open market, as the premiership powerhouse stares down the barrel of more salary cap pain.
Rising middles Liam Henry and Lindsay Smith will both become free agents, and able to field offers, from November 1.
The club has made Smith, who was
named for the Kangaroos for the Ashes tour of England, a retention priority but are yet to lock in the prop beyond next season.
While Henry, a highly rated prospect, looks certain to hit the market with no formal extension offer on the table from the club.
Unlike previous seasons, Penrith won’t be farewelling any high-profile players after losing the likes of Stephen Crichton, James Fisher-Harris and Jarome Luai in recent years.
But the club has cut ties with a total of 13 players, nine of which were on the top-30 roster, including Daine Laurie and Brad Schneider.
The additions of Jack Cogger from Newcastle and the elevation of Tom Jenkins, Trent Toelau and Billy Scott to the top 30 roster will leave coach Ivan Cleary with six spots to fill for season 2026.
But Penrith could face another salary cap squeeze in 12 months time when around $6 million worth of talent will hit the open market including co-captains
Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo.
With the inclusion of the Bears and
PNG Chiefs, Penrith will face a tough battle to retain its biggest names.
Interestingly, champion halfback Cleary is signed until the end of 2027 which happens to be when girlfriend and Matildas star Mary Fowler becomes a free agent at Manchester City.
Cleary’s name is also said to be at the top of an R360 list of NRL targets but the NRL is proposing a 10-year ban on any player who joins, or negotiates with, the rebel league.
IN LIMBO
Jack Cole
Age: 22
Contract Status: Signed until end of 2026
Highly regarded coming through the ranks but usurped by Blaize Talagi as first choice five-eighth post the Jarome Luai era. Cole is a genuine No.14 option for 2026.
Liam Henry
Age: 24
Contract Status: Signed until end of 2026
Henry is no certainty to be at the club beyond 2026 and looks set to test his value on the open market on November 1. A rising forward with a big future, Penrith are yet to table an extension. On the radar of Perth Bears.
Tom Jenkins
Age: 24
Contract Status: Signed until the end of 2026
Jenkins returned to Penrith, after a stint in Newcastle, on a train and trial but has been upgraded to a top 30 spot in 2026 after impressing on the wing. He did, however, miss out on the finals series with Paul Alamoti preferred on the wing.
Lindsay Smith
Age: 25
Contract Status: Signed until end of 2026
Smith is a retention priority, Penrith have kicked off extension talks and are keen to sign the prop on a long-term deal that will make him a ‘Panther for life’.
Luke Garner
Age: 30
Contract Status: Signed until the of 2026
Has been given permission to
look elsewhere before the November 1 deadline. Panthers insist there won’t be an early release in 2026 but back rower Garner has already received interest from the Dragons, Eels and Sea Eagles.
Matt Eisenhuth
Age: 33
Contract Status: Signed until the end of 2026
Eisenhuth will be 35 in 2027 and a multi-year extension at Penrith or another club is unlikely. Retirement will also be an option for the journeyman forward at the end of 2026.
Scott Sorensen
Age: 32
Contract Status: Signed until the end of 2026
The workhorse forward has been a mainstay in the Panthers side since arriving at Penrith in 2021. Sorensen been linked with a move to the Super League and will have no trouble generating interest on the open market.
Trent Toelau
Age: 25
Contract Status: Signed until the end of 2026
Toelau will be elevated to a top-30 deal in 2026 but has only played 11 NRL games over the past two seasons. Unlikely to break the bank if retained beyond next year.
FREE AGENTS
Harrison Hassett
Age: 21
Contract Status: Unsigned
Was highly rated through the junior ranks, Hassett played a single NRL game before the club opted to release him at season’s end.
Luke Sommerton
Age: 25
Contract Status: Unsigned
Played 12 NRL games over three years as a back-up hooker, his last game being Penrith’s elimination final win. Is yet to secure a new deal elsewhere.
Soni Luke
Age: 29
Contract Status: Unsigned
Luke is still without a home for 2026 but the Panthers back-up hooker has been linked with a move to the Super League, with Catalans Dragons emerging as a potential suitor.
Riley Price
Age: 24
Contract Status: Unsigned
The back rower was offered to a number of clubs in the Super League, but as yet there has been no concrete interest. Price, the son of Bulldogs great Steve Price, joined Penrith in 2024 with his progress hampered by an ACL injury last year.
ON THE MOVE
Daine Laurie
Age: 26
Contract Status: Set to join Raiders
After 76 games over two stints at Penrith, Laurie has agreed to terms on a multi-year deal with the Raiders. It’s believed he could be offered up to a three-year deal starting from 2026.
Asu Kepaoa
Age: 25
Contract Status: Moving to Newcastle Knights
The outside back didn’t play a single NRL game over two seasons at the club but has secured his future at Newcastle. He’s signed a two-year deal and is believed to have an option for a third year in 2028.
Brad Schneider
Age: 24
Contract Status: Moving to Dolphins
A handy back-up option in the halves over the past two seasons, Schneider is moving north to Redcliffe, where has signed a one-year deal with the Dolphins.
Mavrik Geyer
Age: 24
Contract Status: Moving to the Wests Tigers
Son of club legend Mark Geyer, Maverik was unable to establish himself as a regular first grader playing just three games in 2025. The forward has signed a one-year deal at the Tigers for 2026.
Preston Riki
Age: 27
Contract Status: Moving to Brisbane Broncos, train-and-trial
The forward played 63 NSW Cup games but only had three NRL starts over four seasons. Riki played the bulk of the reserve grade season this year at prop and will join new premiers Brisbane on a train-and-trial deal in 2026.
LONG-TERM DEALS
Blaize Talagi
Age: 20
Contract Status: Signed until the end of 2027
The exciting playmaker had a slow start to his Panthers career before finding his feet alongside Nathan Cleary. Improved with every game and should earn an extension in 12 months time.
Brian To’o
Age: 27
Contract Status: Signed until the end of 2027
Rumoured to be unhappy at Penrith in 2024 amid suggestions he was on unders at the club, To’o has been the NRL’s most consistent winger in recent years and while Penrith will want to keep him, he’ll command a pay rise next year.
Casey McLean
Age: 19
Contract Status: Signed until the end of 2028
The Kiwi star is an immense talent and is on track to being one of the NRL’s elite centres. One of only five players locked for the next three seasons.
Dylan Edwards
Age: 29
Contract Status: Signed until the end of 2028
Could have commanded over $1 million per season but Edwards opted to re-sign for around $850,000 a year in August 2023.
Isaah Yeo
Age: 30
Contract Status: Signed until the end of 2027
Will be 33 years old in 2028 but has been an incredibly durable player over the years. Yeo will likely finish as a one-club player.
Isaiah Papalii
Age: 27
Contract Status: Signed until the end of 2027
Has rediscovered his best form after a lacklustre stint at the Tigers. He’ll be an even more crucial part of the Panthers pack given the uncertain futures of others like Scott Sorensen and Luke Garner.
Izack Tago
Age: 23
Contract Status: Signed until the end of 2028
Still only 23 and has only scratched the surface of his potential. Strike centre Tago had a patchy year but recovered to finish on a high. He’ll be a back row option in the coming years.
Jack Cogger
Age: 28
Contract Status: Signed until the end of 2028
Returns to the Panthers after a premiership-winning stint in 2023. With the halves locked in, he’ll be a crucial depth signing and a No.14 option in 2026.
Jesse McLean
Age: 20
Contract Status: Signed until the end of 2028
Has been leapfrogged by younger brother Casey in the outside back stakes. Resigned to NSW Cup in 2025, and despite being signed long term has rival clubs sniffing around.
Liam Martin
Age: 28
Contract Status: Signed until the end of 2027
Another that will be part of the club’s salary cap squeeze in 12 months. Martin will, however, be a retention priority.
Luron Patea
Age: 20
Contract Status: Signed until the end of 2027
Has the potential to be one of the best props in the game. Should command a decent upgrade when he goes to the market at the end of the 2026 season.
Mitch Kenny
Age: 27
Contract Status: Signed until the end of 2027
One of the most underrated hookers in the game, Kenny’s place at dummy-half is cemented.
Moses Leota
Age: 30
Contract Status: Signed until the end of 2027
The front-row enforcer will be looking for one final pay day when his contract is next up, and will have options away from Penrith with the Perth Bears and PNG Chiefs set to enter the competition.
Nathan Cleary
Age: 27
Contract Status: Signed until the end of 2027
Already the equal richest player in the game and that won’t change in 12 months. Has been listed as a target for rebel rugby league R360, which could be enticing for Cleary to be closer to England-based girlfriend and Matildas star Mary Fowler. Fowler is also signed to Manchester City until the summer of 2027.
Paul Alamoti
Age: 21
Contract Status: Signed until the end of 2027
Alamoti’s spot looked uncertain in 2025 before usurping Tom Jenkins in the backend of the season. Another who will have plenty of options from November 1 in 2026.
Billy Scott
Age: 20
Contract Status: Signed until the end of 2027
Scott is one of the brightest rookie prospects at the club and will be elevated into the top 30 from 2026. He’ll get a shot at regular NRL next season in the No.14 jumper, where he can cover at hooker and in the halves.
