The Panthers are reportedly planning to move on from the versatile Luke Garner a year before his deal runs out.
Garner has been given to meet with rival clubs, with CODE Sports reporting that the 29-year-old has been offered a three-year deal elsewhere.
The Eels have been one of the clubs that have shown interest in Garner.
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His current deal with Penrith runs until the end of 2026, but it’s expected he’ll leave the club after this season.
Garner’s won two premierships in both seasons with Penrith after joining from the Tigers at the end of 2022.
He’s featured in 10 NRL games this season and has been named on the bench to face the Warriors this weekend.
YOUNG GUN’S RESPONSE TO DCE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM
Roosters young gun Toby Rodwell has declared he won’t be walking away from the famous Tricolours club if veteran halfback Daly Cherry-Evans joins.
The 19-year-old is considered one of rugby league’s best up and coming talents, being the son of former Rabbitohs and Steelers outside back Brett Rodwell.
It’s widely expected Cherry-Evans will sign with the Tricolours, having made it clear he will be leaving the Sea Eagles at the season’s end, potentially blocking Rodwell’s path to first grade.
The young halfback, who has been named in the No.7 for NSW under 19s, believes Cherry-Evans’ experience can only benefit the Roosters squad.
“Oh no, it’d be awesome to have a great like him at the club to learn off and pick his brain,” Rodwell said to the SMH.
“I’m not too sure where that’s at, but it would be a great opportunity for any young half to be learning off him.
“I don’t think (being blocked by Cherry-Evans) is the way to look at it. I think if the time comes, the time comes.
“It would definitely be awesome to get to train and learn off players like that, of his calibre, at a really young age. I think he’d be awesome.”
Rodwell is currently contracted until the end of the 2028 season, explaining he was “lucky to be” at the Roosters for years to come.
“I’ll take all the time I need,” he said.
RABBITOHS SET TO EXTEND VETERAN DUO
The Rabbitohs are reportedly set to hand two key stars contract extensions, with Cody Walker and Alex Johnston set to remain at the South Sydney club.
That is according to the SMH, who are reporting one-year contracts for the 2026 season are reportedly in the process of being finalised.
Walker’s agent reportedly was seeking a two-year deal, however Rabbitohs powerbrokers held concerns regarding the 35-year-old’s niggling injuries.
The gun five-eighth suffered a fresh injury blow in Round 14 and is now sidelined with a groin injury, returning from a hamstring strain.
Walker made his Souths debut in 2016 and has since played 219 games, with his fresh contract extension likely keeping him a one club player.
Johnston, meanwhile, was reportedly shopping to NRL rivals, including the Roosters in a shock move by the prodigious tryscorer.
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However, like Walker, Johnston wanted to remain a one-club player, having already played 233 games while scoring 202 tries.
The gun winger currently sits second on the all-time try-scoring leaderboard to Ken Irvine, who amassed a staggering 212 four-pointers.
