LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
The Penrith Panthers have officially announced a contract extension and upgrade for their young fullback, Jaxen Edgar.
This promising player, who has made notable progress through Penrith's development system, has been elevated to the Top 30 effective immediately for the 2026 season. He will remain with the club at the foot of the mountains until at least the end of 2028.
Edgar, who is seen as a potential future star for the number one jersey at Penrith, has played just one NRL match, making his debut in Round 26 against the Canterbury Bulldogs, who left nearly all their top players resting.
Initially named as the 18th man, Edgar was called into action by coach Ivan Cleary towards the end of the game when the team faced double concussions.
He debuted at the NSW Cup level in Round 2 this year and subsequently played five consecutive matches, later appearing again in Round 16 against the Warriors. During his six-game run, he scored two tries and proved himself competent on both offense and defense.
"He is an exceptional young talent with a strong work ethic and a great attitude towards his development. He's shown tremendous growth, and we believe he has a very bright future in the game," said Shane Elford, the Panthers General Manager of Football, in a statement confirming the news.
"Jaxen is testament to the success of the club's pathway system, and we are excited to see what the future holds for him with the Panthers."