LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
In a shrewd move to mitigate the loss of Jarome Luai, the Penrith Panthers are set to dish out extensions and upgrades to their current players.
According to zero tackle, Luai was offered a substantial $850,000 per season, but the Wests Tigers swooped in with a more lucrative offer, outbidding the Panthers by a staggering $300,000 per year.
As a result, the Panthers have been forced to turn inward and rely on their internal talent pool to fill the void left by Luai's departure.
Fortunately, they have promising recruits like Daine Laurie and Brad Schneider set to join the club in 2024, along with up-and-coming junior, Jack Cole, who is eager to prove himself on the big stage.
This strategic move not only saves the Panthers a significant amount of money but also helps balance their already-stressed salary cap, which is burdened with hefty contracts for star players such as Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo, Dylan Edwards, and James Fisher-Harris.
Despite the financial setback, the Panthers remain steadfast in their pursuit of a fourth consecutive premiership in 2024, relying on their resilience and talented roster to achieve their lofty goals.