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Sport Confidential: Rivals circle Charlie Staines, Spencer Leniu as salary cap hits Penrith Panthers
Penrith’s salary cap is about to hit hard with fears two of the club’s most promising players could be forced out at season’s end.
Rival clubs are set to pounce and are circling Charlie Staines and young forward Spencer Leniu who have come onto their radars after they dipped out of Penrith’s top 17.
The Panthers are treading a salary cap tightrope heading into next season and beyond with the issue set to ignite at the end of their season. The club has been a victim of its own success.
According to the NRL website, the Panthers have just 23 players contracted for next year but it is understood Tyrone May and Jaeman Salmon have agreed to new deals.
With five spots to fill, they may be forced to squeeze some players out.
Staines and Leniu are on deals worth about $300,000 each.
Viliame Kikau’s future could also come into the spotlight with the club unlikely to be in a position to extend him when his deal expires at the end of next year.
Last year they dumped fan favourite Josh Mansour after the grand final to make way for Staines.
Staines and Leniu rejected rich offers from the Bulldogs last year to recommit to the Panthers until the end of 2023.
Staines has struggled this year after bursting onto the scene last year, scoring six tries in two games.
The Panthers are already losing Matt Burton, Brent Naden and Kurt Capewell at season’s end, while Tevita Pangai Jnr will also leave after his short-stint at the club.
Penrith’s salary cap is about to hit hard with fears two of the club’s most promising players could be forced out at season’s end.
Rival clubs are set to pounce and are circling Charlie Staines and young forward Spencer Leniu who have come onto their radars after they dipped out of Penrith’s top 17.
The Panthers are treading a salary cap tightrope heading into next season and beyond with the issue set to ignite at the end of their season. The club has been a victim of its own success.
According to the NRL website, the Panthers have just 23 players contracted for next year but it is understood Tyrone May and Jaeman Salmon have agreed to new deals.
With five spots to fill, they may be forced to squeeze some players out.
Staines and Leniu are on deals worth about $300,000 each.
Viliame Kikau’s future could also come into the spotlight with the club unlikely to be in a position to extend him when his deal expires at the end of next year.
Last year they dumped fan favourite Josh Mansour after the grand final to make way for Staines.
Staines and Leniu rejected rich offers from the Bulldogs last year to recommit to the Panthers until the end of 2023.
Staines has struggled this year after bursting onto the scene last year, scoring six tries in two games.
The Panthers are already losing Matt Burton, Brent Naden and Kurt Capewell at season’s end, while Tevita Pangai Jnr will also leave after his short-stint at the club.
