The Penrith Panthers are facing potential changes as duo Mitch Kenny and Liam Martin contemplate their futures away from the club.
Historically, the mountainous club has consistently released players without detrimental effects on their success. After achieving four consecutive premierships, they reached the preliminary finals last year, even while coping with the pressures of a stringent salary cap.
Following Nathan Cleary's recent remarks about exploring the open market beginning on November 1, it seems that Mitch Kenny and Liam Martin may also be considering a similar path with a specific destination in mind.
The two players, vital to Penrith's gameplay as a dummy half and edge forward, respectively, are reportedly eyeing a move to Papua New Guinea for the Chiefs' entry into the competition in 2028, as per a Sydney Morning Herald report.
So far, no players have publicly considered making the transition north, and recruiting players is anticipated to be a significant hurdle for the Chiefs upon their arrival.
Kenny and Martin's potential shift would lend immediate credibility to the new franchise, which is set to be coached by Willie Peters. Kenny is regarded as a prospective club captain, while Martin boasts experience at the Origin and Australian levels.
If Kenny makes the move, he could be a candidate for captaining the new team, thanks to his skills at dummy half and his robust defensive gameplay.
There are also indications that the Roosters might be interested in Liam Martin, particularly as they look to fill the void left by Angus Crichton's move to rugby union at the end of this year-though that would still create a 12-month lapse.
Alongside Kenny, Martin, and Cleary, numerous Penrith players are nearing the end of their contracts, including notable starters like Blaize Talagi, Brian To'i, Moses Leota, Paul Alamoti, and Isaiah Papali'i, all of whom can negotiate with other teams starting November 1.