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?
He was called back from the Super League to take on the same position as Sean O’Sullivan and Jack Cogger, acting as a ready-made stand-in during the Origin phase or as a backup should Cleary or Luai sustain an injury. Schneider’s performance in 2024 will determine the Panthers’ actions in 2025. Schneider answered “yes, 100%” when foxsports.com.au asked if he wanted the No. 6 jersey. Still, he is aware that there is still plenty to do until then. “It’s a chance, but I just want to improve as a player right now because I have a busy year ahead of me.” It’s a long time (before Luai leaves), and a lot can happen, so I’m not planning too far ahead,” he remarked.
The 22-year-old spent three seasons playing 12 NRL games for the Raiders before joining Hull KR, where he gained notoriety for booting game-winning field goals in consecutive games. Schneider was a standout playmaker in the New South Wales Cup before moving to the UK, and the Panthers anticipate he will “flourish” under their wildly effective system. Schneider enjoys playing halfback, but he’s not afraid to wear the No. 6 and adjust his style to fit Cleary’s style.
Daine Laurie
Daine Laurie has spent the most of his first-grade football career playing fullback, but he definitely sees himself wearing the Panthers’ No. 6 jersey. After signing a one-year contract with the Panthers, Laurie is back where his NRL career started, and he couldn’t be happier. In the preseason, Laurie has been practicing at fullback, five-eighth, and on the wing. However, when asked if he would like to play six when Luai departs, he responded as follows:
Yes, let’s see what transpires. Given that he played first grade and NSW Cup at five-eighth for the Tigers last season, the 24-year-old is no stranger to the position. Because “you get your hands on the ball first instead of getting it out the back of a block,” it has become his favoured position.
Jack Cole
Jack Cole is only 20 years old and has only played in one NRL game. He is still extremely early in his career. In 2022, the Orange CYMS junior enjoyed a breakthrough season that included playing for the Under 19s Origin team, winning the NSW Cup Premiership with the Panthers, and being voted Jersey Flegg Player of the Year. Cole established himself as a Cup player in 2023, playing 17 games while alternating between centre and five-eighth even though he was still eligible for Flegg.
Because of his versatility, he has been compared to former Panther Matt Burton and is expected to have a great future in the NRL. When asked Cole if he was interested in Luai’s shirt, Cole didn’t hold back. “One hundred percent. We’re all three vying for that slot, and at training, the rivalry is healthy,” he remarked. Although Cole admitted that he and Luai are “different type of players,” he stated that his running game, followed by his kicking game and then his passing game, is his greatest strength and what he could bring to the position if given it.
Trent Toelau
Trent Toelau is the least likely of the group, although he might enter the picture with a strong 2024. Toelau had to wait his turn before joining the Panthers in 2021 after playing with the Storm. Despite having two consecutive seasons as the Storm’s Under-21 Player of the Year, he first had trouble breaking into the Panthers’ NSW Cup team. In 2023, he participated in 18 games, which was his highest number for a season. He finished with an average of 70 running metres per game, 11 try assists, and 11 linebreak assists. Toelau, who is in his mid-20s, received a train-and-trial ticket for 2024 as compensation.
Terrell May
He and Taylan have both stated that they are willing to leave his respective teams in order to play with his two siblings, who he loves to play with. May played for the Panthers before departing in 2020 to play for the NSW Cup with the Magpies. Following stints with the North Sydney Bears and Blacktown Workers, he signed a Top 30 deal with the Roosters and made his NRL debut in 2022. The 24-year-old’s contract is set to expire in November after what was perhaps his best season to date.
Even if Liam Henry is predicted to enjoy a breakthrough season, the Panthers’ departure of Spencer Leniu to the Roosters still leaves a big hole in the engine room. Taylan expressed to foxsports.com.au that he would be content to play with only one of his brothers—Tyrone, the oldest, is committed to Super League team Hull KR through the end of 2025—and that Terrell would blend right in at Penrith.
David Fifita
Although the Titans star signed a new contract in August, he still has player options through 2025 and 2026, so he could leave to sign with a different team the following season. The hitch is that Fifita must decide by Round 10 on the 2025 option. Without Kikau, the Panthers have managed to survive. In fact, Scott Sorensen flourished in his new role as a starting second-rower for the team past season. But almost every team will examine their finances to see if it’s feasible to sign a player as devastating as Fifita when he becomes available.
If he stays with the Titans, the 23-year-old will get $1 million a season, a salary the Panthers are unable to match. The Panthers, meanwhile, are still going strong and have the last three premiership trophies on display in their cabinet.
Joseph Manu
Superstar Joseph Manu of the Roosters is one of the top names whose future is still up in the air. The possibility of playing fullback was apparently included in the $5 million deal that the Dragons were considering presenting for a four-year period. The Panthers would be unable to provide that since Dylan Edwards has earned the right to continue wearing the No. 1 jersey. Nevertheless, with Crichton gone, there is a centre position that needs to be covered.
Though Taylan May should get an opportunity to do so, the best centre in the game is accessible for the time being if that strategy fails. Given that it’s unlikely that the Roosters would let Manu leave easily—especially since coach Trent Robinson once said the New Zealand international will be a Rooster for life—the Panthers would need to act swiftly and forcefully.
Bradman Best
The formidable centre is in discussions to re-sign with the Knights after finishing his greatest season to date. Like Manu, Best is extremely unlikely to depart, but he would be foolish to rule it out if the three-time champions called. Best played 25 games for the Knights in season and made his State of Origin debut after a plagued by injuries in 2022. Best is still only 22 years old, and he hasn’t reached his prime yet. Imagine him now succeeding at that level in the Panthers’ system.
Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
Despite having only played in 12 NRL games, other clubs have expressed interest in Kulikefu Finefeuiaki. The 20-year-old started all of the Cowboys’ games after making his debut in Round 10 of the previous campaign. Known as a wrecking ball, the 190cm, 105kg second-rower has emerged as one of the game’s most promising young players. If high-rolling Fifita is out of the question, Finefeuiaki might be something to think about.
Isaiah Tass
Isaiah Tass is the odd man out in Jack Wighton’s arrival at the Rabbitohs; he may soon be searching for a new team. This season, Wighton is anticipated to play left centre, where Tass had settled in. The 24-year-old has dismissed any questions about where he fits into the club, frequently stating that he’s willing to fill in for whatever role is required. However, it’s a partnership worth investigating if the Panthers want to improve their centre pool. They could also give Tass a clearer route to playing consistently in the first grade. Nor would it be extremely expensive.
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