The Penrith Panthers are adopting a relaxed approach to contract negotiations with a host of high-profile players, including Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo, and Liam Martin, who are all off-contract at the end of the 2027 season. The club's calm stance comes despite the looming threat of new NRL franchises, the Perth Bears and the PNG Chiefs, who are set to enter the competition in 2027 and 2028 respectively.
Coach Transition Plan in Place
Following coach Ivan Cleary's announcement on Wednesday that he will step down at the end of the 2027 season, with assistant Peter Wallace taking over, the Panthers have a clear roadmap for the future. Chief executive Matt Cameron expressed confidence that Wallace's appointment could help retain star halfback Nathan Cleary, given their strong connection.
"Nathan was quoted earlier in the year saying that he's never been off contract, and in some ways that was misconstrued that he wanted to test the market," Cameron said. "That's not what he said. Nathan, as an example, clearly wants to focus on State of Origin, and from the club's point of view we're more than happy to respect that decision."
Key Players Off-Contract
Cleary, along with Yeo, Martin, winger Brian To'o, five-eighth Blaize Talagi, and hooker Mitch Kenny, are all off-contract at the end of 2027. This means they can field offers from rival clubs from November 1. Yeo has previously stated he would be foolish not to test his value on the open market. However, Cameron insists the club is in no rush to lock down their stars.
"The reality of PNG with their signing (of Jarome Luai) two weeks ago probably amplified players coming off contract," Cameron noted. Penrith have a strong track record of replacing big-name players, having lost the likes of Viliame Kikau, Stephen Crichton, Matt Burton, Luai, Sunia Turuva, and Spencer Leniu over the past six seasons.
Respecting Players' Choices
Cameron emphasised that the club respects the players' right to explore their options. "We realise through either new clubs coming into the league and advantages that they have over other clubs that there may be interest out there," he said. "The point I want to make is we feel this cohort has absolutely earned the right to travel their own path."
He added that the club remains proactive in negotiations but will respect players who wish to focus on the season. "It doesn't mean Shane (Elford) and I will be sitting there twiddling our thumbs. We've been meeting with these managers and we're actively trying to get deals done, but at the end of the day if a player comes to us and says, 'I just really want to focus on the season at the moment', we're going to respect that. Just because they go to November 1 doesn't mean they're leaving the club."
