NRL 2024 scouting report: Penrith Panthers defy roster pain, free agency angst in premiership push

Penrith have defied unrelenting raids on their playing ranks, but next season looms as their toughest task to do the unthinkable and win four-straight premierships. FATIMA KDOUH explains why.

Have Penrith’s NRL rivals finally done enough damage to breach the Panthers’ seemingly impenetrable fortress?

The Panthers have been able to defy sustained attacks on their playing ranks over the past three years to secure a premiership threepeat.

However, their depth will be tested like never before as they head into the 2024 season chasing a fifth-straight grand final and fourth consecutive title.

Teams like the Sydney Roosters, New Zealand Warriors, Newcastle Knights and Manly Sea Eagles have recruited what they hope will be the missing pieces to bridge the gap to the runaway juggernaut that is Penrith.

FATIMA KDOUH looks at the issues facing the Panthers’ quest for another history making season.

2023 RICH 100 REPS: Nathan Cleary (2, $1.3m), James Fisher-Harris (13, $900k), Isaah Yeo (51, $750k), Jarome Luai (63, $680k), Stephen Crichton (71, $650k)

The triple premiership-winning Panthers. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

FREE AGENCY WRAP AND RATING

Penrith’s rich pathways has meant the club has not had to make a splash in the player market with a high-profile signing.

But coach Ivan Cleary has gone again with his successful recruitment strategy of signing quality depth players with halves recruits Daine Laurie and Brad Schneider. Laurie struggled to keep a spot at the Tigers but is expected to play a key role, beginning in the World Club Challenge as Nathan Cleary’s halves partner as Jarome Luai recovers from a shoulder injury. Teen prodigy Paul Alamoti is expected to take his game to the next level in a system like Penrith but he will have plenty of competition for a place in the centres against Taylan May.

RATING: B

Panthers recruits Paul Alamoti and Daine Laurie. Picture: Justin Lloyd

COACH STATUS AND SAFETY RATING: IVAN CLEARY (2027)

Three straight premierships has rightly earned Ivan Cleary the kind of job security NRL coaches can only dream about.

The club has already revealed its intention to make halfback Nathan Cleary a one-club player and the coach comes as a package deal alongside his son.

There is no guarantee the titles will continue to roll in over the next four seasons but, if Cleary can maintain a competitive outfit that finishes in the top four regularly, his job is unlikely to come under scrutiny.

SAFETY RATING: A+

LIKELY DEBUTANTS

Isaiah Iongi, Mavrik Geyer: Iongi is regarded as one the most skilful youngsters coming through the ranks. The fleet-footed fullback has a killer left foot step, the ability to bamboozle opposition defences close to the line and can break tackles. With a full season in NSW Cup under his belt last year, the 20-year old is primed to step-up into first grade. But with Dylan Edwards having a mortgage at fullback and established outside backs, Iongi’s opportunity is likely to come on the back of an injury.

In Geyer, coach Ivan Cleary has shown he isn’t afraid to shake-up his back row, like he did by axing Zac Hosking from the side late into the finals series. It’s good news for Geyer, who has long been viewed as a rising prospect at the foot of the mountains. While the starting second row spots are likely to go to Scott Sorensen and Luke Garner, Geyer, who was upgraded to a top-30 contract, is fighting for a bench spot in 2024.

WHO TAKES THE NEXT STEP

Izack Tago: Had an interrupted 2023 after he battled to overcome hamstring and troublesome pectoral injuries. But with a full pre-season under his belt the powerful centre is poised to take the next step and rise at one of the game’s elite centres. He possesses all the qualities to take his game to the next level – big, strong and create space and opportunities for players both outside and inside of him. There is a view Tago could shift into the back row, where he played his junior football, as his game develops at the elite level. Given his solid defence and ability to break the line, Tago’s transition is likely to be a seamless one.

Rampaging Panthers centre Izack Tago at training. Picture: NRL Imagery

BURNING ISSUES

1. Fallout from Jarome Luai saga

Now that Luai has locked in his future at the Tigers on a five-year, $1.2 million a season contract from 2025, what will it mean for his final year at the Panthers?

Protracted contract talks and constant speculation are always a threat to team harmony and it remains to be seen what impact the Luai situation will have on the premiers. Luai admitted he was shocked by Ivan Cleary’s comments about him being a risky signing for NRL rivals as a chief playmaker in the midst of negotiations. Luai said he would use the comments as motivation – time will tell what that means for Penrith.

2. Roster sustainability

Penrith have been pillaged since becoming champions and the question for the club now is, can its famous production line keep supplying the same calibre of players that catapulted them to three premierships?

Rival clubs are not just targeting Penrith’s stars, with Jack Cogger, Jaeman Salmon and Tom Jenkins joining the likes of J’Maine Hopgood, Isaiya Katoa and Sean O’Sullivan to be prised away, robbing the Panthers of depth.

Five-eighth Jack Cole, back-rower Liam Henry and outside back Jesse McLean, who made his NRL debut in the final round of 2023, headline the next crop of youngsters.

3. Salary cap crunch

While Luai’s future dominated headlines, the playing futures of exciting young backline stars Sunia Turuva and Taylan May are a concern.

The Panthers insist they are keen to retain both players, who will both be chasing hefty contract upgrades. Rookie of the year Turuva had a sensational debut season, catching the attention of rival clubs, while May has revealed his desire to one day play alongside his brothers — Roosters prop Terrell and Catalans outside back Taylan.

How will Jarome Luai aim up in his final year at Penrith?

CRYSTAL BALL

Losing Stephen Crichton and Spencer Leniu is a blow, but have Penrith’s rivals improved enough to dethrone them?

Their closest foes, Brisbane, have lost Kurt Capewell, Herbie Farnworth and Thomas Flegler, while Adam Reynolds will turn 34 during the season.

Penrith are rightly $3.75 premiership favourites and now they have resolved Luai’s contract situation, if coach Ivan Cleary can keep his side hungry, and motivated, a fourth-straight title is on the horizon.

FINISH THE PAST FIVE YEARS

2023: 1st (Premiers)

2022: 1st (Premiers)

2021: 2nd (Premiers)

2020: 1st (Runners-up)

2019: 10th

2024 TAB ODDS

Premiership: $3.75

Minor premiership: $3.25

Top four: $1.50

Top eight: $1.06

To miss the top eight: $7

To miss the top four: $2.35

Most losses: $501