The Panthers might look unbeatable now, but dark clouds are looming |
The Panthers might look unbeatable now, but dark clouds are looming
April 5, 2026 — 3:00am
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Mitch Kenny and Liam Martin are both considering moves to the NRL’s new Papua New Guinea team, meaning Penrith’s incredible star factory will be required to start churning out a new batch of players.
The Panthers have 13 players who will become free agents on November 1, including co-captains Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo, while rising star and try-scoring machine Tom Jenkins does not have a deal for next year.
They might be red-hot favourites to win the 2026 title, but right now, Panthers chief Matt Cameron has a bigger job than coach Ivan Cleary, who is also off contract at the end of 2027.
The list of Panthers players who can speak to rivals from November 1 includes Cleary, Yeo, Kenny, Martin, Blaize Talagi, Brian To’o, Moses Leota, Paul Alamoti, Isaiah Papali’i, Luron Patea, Billy Phillips, Billy Scott and Sione Fonua.
Kenny has shown that he thinks differently to most NRL players and his broader interests in life, such as birdwatching, have positioned him as a potential star signing for PNG. He has the qualities to be a leader for the newest NRL side.
Also of note, he has linked with a new management group, SFX, which looks after the Clearys. SFX also has Yeo on its books.
Martin has a real interest in the idea of playing for the Chiefs.
Another big danger for Penrith could be the Roosters when it comes to Martin. Chooks recruitment manager Joel Carbone is a huge Martin fan. He would take the recruitment of Martin as a big personal victory, as he has long admired what the Blues and Australian hard man can do.
The Roosters do have some gun young forwards but will lose Angus Crichton after this season to rugby union, and they may need a hard head in the back row to complement what they have.
Nathan Cleary is considered a long shot to leave Penrith. I recently asked him about how he is going to handle the attention that comes with being on the open market, and he conceded that media questioning may lead him to fast-track his decision.
That was obviously welcomed by Panthers officials, who would love to finalise that deal so they can juggle the rest of their salary cap.
The form player off contract for next year is definitely Jenkins. “The Milk Man” has worked his butt off and his try-scoring feats are catching the eye.
No question he wants to stay at the........