LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
John Fonua, a fringe winger for the Penrith Panthers, has reportedly received a contract upgrade for 2026. Previous reports had indicated that he had re-signed with the club until the end of 2027, but the specifics were unclear.
Recent updates suggest that Fonua's standout performances in reserve grade, culminating in his NRL debut during the 2025 season's second last round against the Canterbury Bulldogs-when coach Ivan Cleary rested 16 players-have prompted this upgrade to a Top 30 deal for 2026.
The Panthers currently have several spots to fill for the upcoming season, particularly following the departure of Daine Laurie. They are actively seeking to enhance their backline depth. While Dylan Edwards' successor for 2025 is still in the process of finding a new club, Fonua appears to be a strong candidate for more consistent first-grade opportunities. According to Wide World of Sports' The Mole, he is being seen as a potential fill-in for Edwards should he face injury or be selected for the New South Wales Blues in the State of Origin series.
At 25 years old, Fonua once considered stepping away from rugby league, but made a successful return this season. In the pre-COVID era, he represented New South Wales in the under-18 side, playing alongside notable players such as Sebastian Kri, Teig Wilton, Zac Lomax, Luke Metcalf, Payne Haas, Lindsay Smith, and Josh Curran. Their Queensland counterparts included players like Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Tom Gilbert, J'maine Hopgood, Tanah Boyd, Cory Paix, Ronaldo Mulitalo, and Murray Taulagi.