Once again, the Panthers are the reigning premiership-winners and once again Ivan Cleary will have to find a way to replace outgoing stars.
The last two seasons has proven the master coach knows exactly what he’s doing when it comes to recruitment and blooding juniors.
Expect the 2024 season to be no different as Penrith navigate life without Stephen Crichton, Spencer Leniu and Jack Cogger.
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Panthers powerbrokers have drafted in two new options to be the back-up halves pairing, while the club is set to look within to replace Leniu.
Meanwhile, the centre position could be the spot most under the spotlight with a returning star set to fill the void in the outside backs.
Read on for the Panthers’ state of play!
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2023 FINISH: 1st W18 L6 (premiers)
COACHES: Ivan Cleary
Ivan Cleary has cemented himself as one of the game’s best ever coaches in recent years, steering his side to a three-peat of premierships. What makes his achievements even more special is he has been able to replicate success with different staff in tow. Both Cameron Ciraldo and Andrew Webster departed at the end of the 2022 season, joining the Bulldogs and Warriors respectively. Cleary then went about adding Peter Wallace and Ben Gardiner as his assistants, and both clearly have had an impact on the Panthers squad, who were able to bounce back from an unthinkable position in the grand final to beat the Broncos. Premierships are the indicator of whether a coach is classed as one of rugby league’s best, and Cleary has three to his name in as many years.
PLAYERS IN: Daine Laurie (Wests Tigers), Brad Schneider (Hull KR), Paul Alamoti (Bulldogs)
The Panthers have once again been savvy with their business dealings.
Daine Laurie began his NRL career at the foot of the mountain before moving to the Tigers, becoming a regular starter before falling out of favour in 2023.
With 52 NRL games now under his belt, the 24-year-old returns and improved player and could be the man to fill in for representative stars when unavailable.
He could also push to be the No.14 but will be facing stiff competition from Brad Schneider.
The former Raider could be the next halfback whose career has been transformed at the Panthers, with Sean O’Sullivan and Jack Cogger moving on to greener pastures in recent seasons.
Paul Alamoti has also made the move to Penrith from the Bulldogs and has played in the centres during his debut NRL season.
However, the Panthers are expected to attempt to transition him into the backrow, hoping to utilise his strong ball-running abilities and strength in the forwards.
PLAYERS OUT: Stephen Crichton (Bulldogs), Spencer Leniu (Roosters), Jaeman Salmon (Bulldogs), Jack Cogger (Knights), Tom Jenkins (Knights), Chris Smith (unsigned), Eddie Blacker (unsigned)
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SQUAD: Ativalu Lisati (2024), Brad Schneider (2025), Brian To’o (2027), Daine Laurie (2024), Dylan Edwards (2028), Harrison Hassett (2025), Isaah Yeo (2027), Izack Tago (2025), Jack Cole (2026), James Fisher-Harris (2026), Jarome Luai (2024), Jesse McLean (2026), Liam Henry (2026), Liam Martin (2027), Lindsay Smith (2026), Luke Garner (2024), Matt Eisenhuth (2024), Mavrik Geyer (2025), Mitch Kenny (2024), Moses Leota (2027), Nathan Cleary (2027), Paul Alamoti (2024), Scott Sorensen (2026), Soni Luke (2025), Sunia Turuva (2024), Taylan May (2024), Tyrone Peachey (2024), Zac Hosking (2024)
DEVELOPMENT PLAYERS: Isaiah Iongi (2025), Luke Sommerton (2024), Preston Riki (2024), Riley Price (2025)
WHERE THEY NEED TO IMPROVE: Pinpointing where the Panthers need to improve is like finding a needle in a haystack.
However, if you’re going to pick and area the Panthers could improve in it is their bench utility option.
Following the departure of Apisai Koroisau, Mitch Kenny moved into the starting hooker option and performed admirably, albeit a different style of dummy-half.
Soni Luke was billed as the man to take the No.14 jersey but failed to cement his spot and as such fell out of the side.
Luke Sommerton and Tyrone Peachey filled in as the utility at different stages of the season, but Daine Laurie could be an option in 2024.
Ivan Cleary has previously used his utility for only a short period to give Kenny a breather at hooker, but the player chosen usually has the ability to play in the outside backs.
WHO THEY COULD SIGN FOR 2024: The Panthers currently have two spots remaining in their top 30 roster and won’t be making any big money signings between now and the start of the 2024 season.
To add depth to their forward pack, one player springs to mind — Tom Eisenhuth.
He isn’t the flashiest of players, but if Craig Bellamy is a fan and picks you in his side, you obviously bring quality to the table.
Eisenhuth played a single NRL game for the Panthers in 2012 before plying his trade in NSW Cup for several years.
He eventually was released in 2018 and joined the Storm, going on to play 58 games and becoming an integral figure under Bellamy.
Eisenhuth could be a smart signing at a cut price for the Panthers to provide depth and utility to their squad, however he has been linked with a move to the Dragons.
Shane Flanagan reportedly is desperate to acquire his experience and as such has handed him a top 30 deal for the 2024 season which is yet to be confirmed.
Until then, the Panthers could still make a play and recruit their former first grader.
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PLAYER UNDER MOST PRESSURE: Taylan May.
Taylan May could slot straight into the centres this season after a knee injury sidelined him for the whole 2023 season.
By no fault of his own, the microscope is always on the Panthers players who are filling gaps left by departing players.
Stephen Crichton was arguably the best centre in the game last season, and May has some big shoes to fill in 2024.
But if anyone is prepared to do it, it’s this confident 22-year-old who took the NRL world by storm in his debut season.
In 2022 he scored a ridiculous 16 tries in 21 games and forged a ridiculously strong partnership with Izack Tago down the left side of the field.
YOUNG GUN TO WATCH: Liam Henry
Once again, the spotlight is on who will fill a hole for the premiership-winning Panthers, and this team it’s Spencer Leniu’s vacancy.
The hard-running prop packed a punch off the bench, and Liam Henry could be the man to fill the void and join the middle rotation.
While Matt Eisenhuth is a more experienced solution, Ivan Cleary likes to look to his juniors, as seen by the emergence of Lindsay Smith in 2023.
Henry, 22, is a country boy and hails from Blayney in central west NSW, having already played three first grade games since making his debut in 2022.
The hard-running prop was also handed a huge contract extension in March this year, signing on until the end of 2026 in a showing of faith from Panthers powerbrokers.
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