NRL 2024: Inside the Penrith Panthers prop production line which leaves club in safe hands following James Fisher-Harris exit

James Fisher-Harris is leaving some massive shoes to fill at Penrith, but the string of props in the Panthers production line has the club in safe hands. See which “future star” the departing enforcer is backing to step up after his exit.

Rising Penrith prop Liam Henry reminds James Fisher-Harris of a younger version of himself – but even better.

Coming from a fearless three-time premiership winning forward, it’s the ultimate compliment that any rising NRL prop could receive.

It’s also Fisher-Harris’ way of assuring Penrith fans that the future of the Panthers pack will be in safe hands long after he departs the club to join the New Zealand Warriors on a four-year deal from 2025.

“He’s got a really good attitude. He’s a workaholic. He’ll do whatever it takes to get to where he’s going. He reminds me of a young me, but he’s even more focused than what I was at his age,” Fisher-Harris said.

“He’s at 100 miles per hour with everything he does and attacks. He’s a future star in the making.

“He’s already a good player but he’s still nowhere near his potential.”

Panthers props Liam Henry (left) and Lindsay Smith. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Henry, 23, is another country gem unearthed and scouted by recruitment guru Jimmy Jones to Penrith in 2019.

The Western Rams and Blayney Bears product spent the next five years as an understudy to Fisher-Harris and Moses Leota in arguably the best NRL apprenticeship a young prop could receive.

“It’s awesome. They’re good role models for all the fellas coming through,” Henry said.

“Fish and Mos (Leota) are absolutely legends. They’re always looking to put the work in and happy to give you a hand and tips for whatever you need.

“I absolutely idolise them two. It’s been a really good year playing under them.”

After playing just three games since his debut in 2022, Henry has emerged as a mainstay in Penrith pack this season and will again play from the bench in Saturday’s preliminary final against Cronulla at Accor Stadium.

James Fisher-Harris says he sees Liam Henry as a better version of his younger self. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

But the exit of Fisher-Harris at season’s end will open up a starting prop role, to partner Leota, in 2025.

“Obviously it’s a massive loss for us and some big boots to fill, that’s for sure. We’re certainly going to miss him,” Henry said.

The likes of Henry and Panthers local junior Lindsay Smith are the frontrunners to replace Fisher-Harris in a new look frontrow partnership next season.

Experienced campaigner Matt Eisenhuth is also in the mix.

There is also a view that NSW Blues hardman Liam Martin, Scott Sorensen or new recruit Isaiah Papali’i could play in the middle in 2025.

But Martin backed Smith, who has successfully stepped out of Spencer Leniu’s shadow as Penrith’s key bench prop, to take his game to the next level once again – this time in the absence of Fisher-Harris.

Lindsay Smith is “frustratingly good at everything” according to teammate Liam Martin. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

“He’s pretty incredible actually, Lindsay,” Martin said.

“He’s a phenomenal athlete, believe it or not. I think he was a great cricketer, he could have nearly played top-level cricket. You play him in basketball and he’s a good basketballer.

“He’s one of those people who are frustratingly good at everything. You’re just like, ‘are you not good at something?’ He’ll just pick something up and be good at it.”

Coach Ivan Cleary has already shown faith in Smith as a starting frontrower, naming him at prop in six games this year as cover for Fisher-Harris and Leota throughout the season.

“It’s taken its time, but now he’s really just hit his straps and you can just see how much of a first grader and how much of a footballer he is,” Martin said.

“He might not be the fastest or biggest or strongest, but he’s just incredibly hardworking and will just go all day for you and just has that footy IQ, that’s pretty admirable.”