The Agenda: Penrith’s salary cap squeeze gets tighter as rivals circle off-contract Panthers star

Anthony Griffin has made several questionable calls as he looks to fix up the Dragons - but reversing this one could revive their flagging season.

PENRITH, AUSTRALIA – MAY 12: Scott Sorensen of the Panthers celebrates with teammates after scoring a try during the round 11 NRL match between the Penrith Panthers and Sydney Roosters at BlueBet Stadium on May 12, 2023 in Penrith, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

The salary cap squeeze at Penrith just got a little tighter with another star’s form demanding an upgrade.

St George Illawarra leadership is under the blowtorch for the lack of clarity about the club’s direction, and fans are ready to vent their frustrations.

Here are some of the major talking points ahead of this weekend’s NRL action.

Selection dilemma – Jacob Liddle

St George Illawarra hooker Jacob Liddle should feel hard done by if he doesn’t earn a recall into the side to take on the Roosters this weekend.

Anthony Griffin axed the dummy half in round 10 in favour of Moses Mbye and Ben Hunt at hooker.

But Liddle has responded in kind playing in the NSW Cup and was one of the best on ground against Newcastle last weekend, scoring the match winner, making seven runs and 42 tackles.

Griffin made a head scratching call to not put halfback Jayden Sullivan back on the field after he was binned in the loss to the Cowboys.

The coach wanted more starch in the middle so moved Hunt back to No.7 and Mbye to hooker but the chopping and changing in key positions can’t be helping the Dragons’ efforts.

Jacob Liddle should be selected in round 12.

Market Mover – Scott Sorensen

Penrith will have to come to the table with a strong deal to keep underrated workhorse Scott Sorensen, who has no deal for 2024.

Already a number of clubs are circling and it’s easy to see why.

Sorensen played the game of his career against the Roosters, and his two tries, two try assists and three linebreaks has put him in the shopfront window.

All the talk has focused on how Penrith will overcome a salary cap squeeze to retain Dylan Edwards and Jarome Luai.

But Sorensen, the bang for buck backrower, is also in line for a payday and is playing himself into a healthy upgraded deal.

Penrith handed Sorensen a lifeline in 2021 when he was struggling for any interest in the NRL, now the back-to-back premiers have a fight on their hand to keep him at the foot of the mountains.

Scott Sorensen is catching the attention of rivals. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Dragons silence falling on disgruntled ears

Griffin is hanging on by a thread and disgruntled fans are pushing forward with protest on Friday night at Jubilee Oval.

But the real fireworks will go off on Tuesday night.

Dragons CEO Ryan Webb, Chairman Andrew Lancaster and head of football Ben Haran will be put under the blowtorch by fans at a members forum.

The results having come on the field but fans are just as frustrated at the lack of clarity, and silence, surrounding the head coach drama and the lack of accountability from club bosses.

Even Canterbury’s head of football Phil Gould accused the Dragons of lacking leadership.

“I think the whole club needs to settle itself down and say ‘this is where we are going’ and get it done. At the moment, it’s just all media speculation… there is no real leadership coming out and saying ’this is what we are doing’,” Gould said.

The Dragons will hold a meeting with members on Tuesday night.

Milestone man – Luke Brooks

Luke Brooks will line-up against North Queensland on Saturday for his 200th NRL game.

It’s an impressive achievement for the halfback but one that will be tainted for the Wests Tigers veteran. Saturday will notch up 200 games without a single finals match. It’s the longest finals drought of any player in the NRL.

While the Tigers, and Brooks on an individual level, have shown a turnaround in form in recent weeks, as this season shapes as another without football in September for Brooks.