LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
For the first time in several years, the Penrith Panthers are entering a new season without losing any major players, allowing them to approach the 2026 campaign with a sense of stability.
While some fringe first-graders, such as Asu Kepaoa, Soni Luke, Brad Schneider, Luke Sommerton, Daine Laurie, and Trent Toelau, will depart, the core of the team is expected to remain largely unchanged as they head into the new season.
This continuity is advantageous for coach Ivan Cleary, especially after the challenges faced at the beginning of the 2025 season due to the losses of key players like five-eighth Jarome Luai to the Wests Tigers and top prop James Fisher-Harris to the New Zealand Warriors.
Although the Panthers are in a strong position heading into 2026, Ivan Cleary still faces some significant selection questions.
Here are the key inquiries that need addressing.