The Panthers are in an intriguing situation because three players have stated that they would like to wear Jarome Luai’s shirt when the standout five-eighth leaves for the Wests Tigers in 2025.
The foundation of the Penrith dynasty that has developed over the past four years is Luai and his half-partner Nathan Cleary. But in 2025, Cleary will be without his companion for the first time since, well, when they were teenagers.
When Api Koroisau and Viliame Kikau left the Panthers last year after winning two premierships with the team, the team was faced with a similar issue.
To replace Koroisau, the team turned to its roster, but in order to cover Kikau’s void, they went out and acquired Luke Garner and Zac Hosking. Nevertheless, Scott Sorensen proved to be Kikau’s true successor.
It all comes down to what the three-peat winners do next.
Is head coach Ivan Cleary trying to entice another elite five-eighth player to Penrith with the $850,000 per season the club offered Luai? Or does he utilise that money to support another position and hope that the players would step up?
Brad Schneider
He’s been brought back from the Super League to play the role that Sean O’Sullivan and Jack Cogger did — a ready-made replacement for the Origin period or to fill in if Cleary or Luai get injured. What the Panthers do in 2025 hinges on how Schneider performs in 2024. When asked by foxsports.com.au if he wants the No.6 jersey Schneider said “yeah, 100 per cent.” But he also knows there’s a lot to do before then. “It’s an opportunity, but at the moment I’m only looking to grow as a player, I’ve got a big year ahead first. I’m not looking too far ahead, it’s a long time (until Luai goes) and a lot can happen,” he said. The 22-year-old played 12 NRL games for the Raiders over three seasons before signing with Hull KR, where he made headlines for kicking matchwinning field goals in back-to-back games. Prior to the UK move Schneider was one of the form playmakers in New South Wales Cup and the Panthers expect him to “flourish” in their highly successful system. Although Schneider’s preferred position is halfback, he has no issues with donning the No.6 and tweaking his game to complement Cleary.
Daine Laurie
He’s played majority of his first grade footy at fullback but make no mistake Daine Laurie can see himself in the Panthers’ No.6 jersey. Laurie is back where his NRL career began after inking a one-year deal with the Panthers and he couldn’t be happier. Laurie has been training at fullback, five-eighth and on the wing during pre-season but when asked if he’d like to play six exclusively when Luai leaves he said: “Yeah, we’ll see what happens.” It’s not unfamiliar territory for the 24-year-old given he spent time at five-eighth with the Tigers last season in both NSW Cup and in first grade. And it’s now his preferred position because “you get your hands on the ball first instead of getting it out the back of a block.”
Jack Cole
At 20-years old and with just one NRL game under his belt Jack Cole is still at the very beginning of his career. The Orange CYMS junior had a breakout season in 2022 that included playing in Under 19s Origin, being named Jersey Flegg Player of the Year and winning the NSW Cup premiership with the Panthers. Despite still being eligible for Flegg, Cole established himself as a Cup player in 2023 playing 17 games switching between centre and five-eighth. He’s tipped to have a bright future in the NRL and his versatility has seen him be likened to former Panther Matt Burton. Cole didn’t shy away from declaring his interest in Luai’s jersey when asked by foxsports.com.au. “100 per cent. There’s three of us fighting for that spot… it’s really healthy competition at training,” he said. Cole acknowledged that he and Luai are “different type of players” but when asked what he could bring to the role if he got it, he said his running game was his biggest strength followed by his kicking game then passing game.
Trent Toelau
He’s the least likely of the bunch but a big 2024 could very well spring Trent Toelau into the mix. Toelau joined the Panthers in 2021 from the Storm and has had to bide his time. He was the Storm’s Under 21s Player of the Year in back-to-back seasons but initially struggled to break his way into the Panthers’ NSW Cup side. He played 18 games in 2023 — his most in a season — and finished with 11 try assists, 11 linebreak assists and an average of 70 running metres per game. Toelau, who is in his mid-20s, was rewarded with a train-and-trial for 2024.
…..AND SPEND MONEY ELSEWHERE
The plus side to filling Luai’s spot with a less established player is the financial freedom that gives the Panthers to beef-up other areas of the squad. After all the club has lost one of the best centres in the game this year and lost an elite hooker and second-rower the year before.
Terrell May
He desperately wants to play with his two siblings and both he and Taylan have already declared they are willing to leave their respective clubs to make it happen. May was in the Panthers’ system but left in 2020 to join the Magpies in NSW Cup. He then had stints with Blacktown Workers and North Sydney Bears before inking a Top 30 contract with the Roosters and making his NRL debut in 2022. The 24-year-old is coming off his best season to date and his contract is due to expire in November. The Panthers have lost Spencer Leniu to the Roosters and although Liam Henry is expected to break through this year, it’s still a significant loss in the engine room. Taylan told foxsports.com.au he’d be happy to play alongside just one of his brothers — the eldest, Tyrone, is signed to Super League club Hull KR until the end of 2025 — and believes Terrell would fit in at Penrith seamlessly.
David Fifita
The Titans star did re-sign in August, but he has player options for 2025 and 2026, meaning he could easily walk away to join a rival club next year. The catch is though, Fifita needs to make a call on the option for 2025 by Round 10. The Panthers have carried on just fine without Kikau, in fact Scott Sorensen found a home — and thrived — as a starting second-rower last season. But when a player as destructive as Fifita becomes available just about every club will look at their finances to see if its doable. The 23-year-old is set to earn $1 million per season if he stays at the Titans — a figure the Panthers wouldn’t be able to match. But what the Panthers do have is the last three premiership trophies on display in their cabinet and are showing no signs of slowing down.
Joseph Manu
One of the biggest names yet to settle his future is Roosters superstar Joseph Manu. The Dragons are interested and were reportedly considering making a $5 million offer for four years which included the opportunity to play fullback. That’s something the Panthers wouldn’t be able to offer given Dylan Edwards has earned the right to keep that No.1 jersey. But there is a centre spot that needs filling following Crichton’s departure. Taylan May is expected to get a chance to do so but if that plan doesn’t work out, arguably the best centre in the game is available… for now. The Panthers would have to move quickly and aggressively given it’s highly unlikely the Roosters would let Manu go easily, especially when coach Trent Robinson once declared the New Zealand international will be a Rooster for life.
Bradman Best
The powerhouse centre is coming off his best season to date and is in talks to re-sign with the Knights. Like Manu, it’s highly unlikely Best would leave but if the three-peat champions came knocking he’d be silly not to consider it. Best put an injury-riddled 2022 campaign behind him to play 25 games for the Knights last year and earn a State of Origin debut. Still only 22-years old, Best isn’t even close to his peak. Now imagine him hitting that peak in the Panthers system.
Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
He’s only played 12 NRL games, but Kulikefu Finefeuiaki has already caught the attention of several clubs. The 20-year-old made his debut for the Cowboys last season in Round 10 and retained his spot for the remainder of the year. The 190cm, 105kg second-rower is a wrecking ball that has quickly established himself as one of the brightest young talents in the game. If big-money Fifita is a no-go, perhaps Finefeuiaki could be worth considering.
Isaiah Tass
The odd man out in Jack Wighton’s arrival to the Rabbitohs is Isaiah Tass, who could be on the lookout for a new club soon. Wighton is expected to play left centre this year — where Tass had found a home. The 24-year-old has brushed off any concern over his position in the squad, often saying he’s happy to play any role the team needs. But if the Panthers want to boost their centre stocks — and could offer Tass a clearer path to playing consistent first grade — it’s a relationship worth exploring. It wouldn’t break the bank either.
