Panthers Forward Set to Depart by End of 2026

Penrith Panthers forward Luke Garner is expected to part ways with the club at the conclusion of the 2026 season, with the Perth Bears reportedly among the interested teams.

For over a year, Garner's contract situation has been a topic of public interest.

At one point, it appeared he might not fulfill his contract with the Panthers, which is set to expire after the 2026 campaign.

Before November 1, he received permission to explore options outside of the Panthers, indicating a potential exit by the end of 2025, although that scenario did not materialize.

In August of last year, he expressed uncertainty about his future post-2027 but confirmed he would complete his current agreement with the Panthers.

Now, nine months later, the Panthers are facing salary cap challenges, potentially limiting their ability to retain Garner.

The versatile second-rower, who can also play in the centers, has garnered interest from other clubs, specifically the Perth Bears, according to a report from Wide World of Sports.

PERTH BEARS SQUAD TRACKER

The Perth Bears have secured 16 players for their inaugural season, having recently signed English international Mikolaj Oledzki on Tuesday night, while actively seeking enhancements to their roster, particularly in the second-row position.