The Penrith Panthers have reportedly denied requests on behalf of some of the club’s biggest stars, including Nathan Cleary, about speaking to rivals clubs before the November 1 deadline.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported the Panthers blocked overtures from some star players seeking to negotiate with rival clubs before they become free agents.
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The lure of tax free dollars at the PNG Chiefs is proving enticing for some of the biggest off-contract NRL stars come November 1 and many of them are at the Panthers.
Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo, Liam Martin, Brian To’o, Moses Leota, Mitch Kenny, Isaiah Papali’i, Blaize Talagi and Paul Alamoti are all free to negotiate with rival clubs from November 1 regarding their futures beyond 2027.
Panthers coach Ivan Cleary’s decision to step down from the role at the end of 2027 has sparked fears of a player exodus at the club, with his son the potentially leading the way out of the four-time premiers.
Managers for a number of Panthers stars including the TGI agency that represents Nathan Cleary, Yeo and Mitch Kenny reportedly held talks with the Penrith club over potentially speaking with rivals before November 1.
While no formal requests were made, the parties discussed potential scenarios, with the PNG Chiefs circling a number of the club’s biggest stars for their inaugural season in 2028.
The Panthers privately concede they may lose some of their players and don’t begrudge stars looking at their options from November 1.
However, by waiting until that deadline, they feel it gives the Panthers the best chance of retaining those stars long-term.
Part of Penrith’s strategy was to lock in Peter Wallace as Ivan Cleary’s successor 18 months out, so players would know the direction of the club before making calls on their futures.
However, the loss of Ivan could backfire with the lure of the money on offer at the Chiefs too hard for some veteran players especially to ignore as their careers wind down.
The Chiefs have already signed Jarome Luai to a $1.2 million a year deal over three seasons, which given the tax free loophole means a rival club would need to pay $2.2 million to match the offer.
Peter Badel spoke on NRL 360 about Nathan Cleary potentially earning $3 million a season at the Chiefs with third party arrangements.
WARRIORS PLAYMAKER LINKED WITH RIVAL CLUB
Fresh of losing Luke Metcalf to the Dragons, the Warriors are set to lose another talented playmaker with Luke Hanson reportedly set to join a rival club.
ESPN reported Hanson may follow Metcalf out the door, witht he Gold Coast Titans looming as a potential landing spot.
The 22-year-old has scored one try in one game for the Warriors after debuting earlier this season, but has struggled for opportunities.
Sources close to the ESPN publication told them Hanson may be headed for an exit due to a bottleneck of halves at the club, including Tanah Boyd, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Jett Cleary and Dragons bound Metcalf all competing for two playmaker spots.
Boyd recently inked a long-term extension after a form spike this season, which prompted Metcalf to seek a release.
Harris-Tavita is likely to be Boyd’s long-term halves partner, with Cleary putting pressure on the pair going forward.
It leaves Hanson looking for a new opportunity to add to his impressive debut at a rival club and the Titans could be the answer.
However, a return to Penrith would not be out of the question in the future amid their player exodus post 2027.
Hanson is a product of the elite Penrith Panthers pathway system and was a member of their title-winning SG Ball side in 2022.
Warriors coach Andrew Webster, who was formerly an assistant at Penrith signed Hanson for an opportunity to progress to the NRL in 2024.
Hanson eventually made his NRL debut in Round 3 this year against the Newcastle Knights, scoring a try.
Hanson spent the 2024 and 2025 seasons plying his trade in the NSW Cup, which saw the Warriors side dominate the competition during this time, including a fourth place finish in 2024 and a title victory and minor premiership in 2025.
Originally published as Panthers’ emphatic Nathan Cleary response as off-contract stars’ free agency bid revealed
