Penrith Panthers to hold talks with restless Brian To’o amid exit rumours

Brian To’o’s $650,000 price tag from next season makes him the game’s highest earning wingers. However, the prospect of facing next season without the four men who were groomsmen at his wedding has started to hit home.

The Panthers have met with Brian To'o amid speculation he is restless at the club. Picture: Getty Images

A desire to be closer to his friends rather than money has led to Brian To’o’s restlessness with the parties hoping to move towards a conclusion within days.

It is unclear if To’o will agitate for a formal release but the Panthers are adamant the situation is salvageable.

Delaying matters is that To’o was absent from training on Wednesday as he battles a virus. While he was at home a meeting was held between his agent Liam Ayoub and Penrith officials Matt Cameron and Shane Elford.

His $650,000 price tag from next season makes him the game’s highest earning wingers. However a realisation during State of Origin camp that he faces next season at Penrith without close friend Jarome Luai has started to hit home.

It comes with Spencer Leniu and Stephen Crichton already gone and thriving at their new clubs.

Sunia Turuva will also join Luai at the Tigers next year. All four were groomsmen at To’o’s wedding in 2022, clearly showing the close bond between the group.

Panthers CEO Matt Cameron has indicated he is planning to sit down the NSW Blues winger before Sunday’s clash against Newcastle.

“The club will endeavour to meet with Brian and his representative together in the coming days,” Cameron said.

The Tigers are prepared to pounce while the Bulldogs are also a logical potential destination should To’o want out from the final three years of his contract while other clubs are also circling.

Brian To'o was absent from Penrith training as the club prepares to meet with the star winger in the coming days. Picture: Getty Images

Cameron and Panthers bosses were locked in a scheduled board meeting on Wednesday morning. Board member Greg Alexander had already publicly declared the club had no intentions of letting To’o go.

Blues and Panthers teammate Liam Martin rubbished the suggestion that open discussions about contracts and salaries during Origin camp were the source of To’o’s restlessness.

Liam Martin rubbished suggestions Brian To'o was restless at Penrith. Picture: Brett Hemmings/Getty Images

 “I don’t think there is one mention of it. I don’t know where that has come from. I wouldn’t listen to that,” Martin said. “I don’t buy into it too much, it’s a bit out of character for him.

“I don’t know if there is too much more to it, it’s just a rumour. I haven’t had a chance to see him. He’s away crook. When he comes, I’ll get stuck into him ‘what’s going on, what are you doing’?”

To’o opted not to test the market in late 2022 before signing a four-year extension to remain at the club. Since then though he has watched on as his close friends have left the Panthers despite their premiership success.

Brian To'o opted not to test the market in late 2022 before signing a four-year extension at Penrith. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

Martin said players had taken less money to remain at the club.

“I think that’s why our club is so successful, people want to stay and that’s what they do for one another,” Martin said.

“They are willing to take those pay cuts. He’s a part of that. He wanted to stay and I don’t think that’s changed for him.”

Already rival clubs, such as the Wests Tigers, are actively monitoring the situation.

Tigers coach Benji Marshall naturally has interest in having To’o at the club should he become available.

“Who wouldn’t be? Yeah, I guess. Brian is one of the best wingers in the game, if not the best winger, but he’s contracted to Penrith,” Marshall said.

Originally published as Penrith Panthers to hold talks with restless Brian To’o amid exit rumours