The Penrith Panthers have reportedly tabled a “monster offer” to Lindsay Smith in the hope of making him a “Panther for life”, while the Brisbane Broncos have offered a lifeline to the brother or a grand final star. Smith is under contract until the end of 2026, meaning he’s a free agent on November 1 and can speak to rival clubs within days about 2027.
It came to light earlier this month that Smith was among a number of Panthers players set to test the open market to see what their value might be, but Penrith have no desire to see him leave. According to The Daily Telegraph, the Panthers have stepped up with a massive offer that would see Smith stay at the club for the rest of his career.
Ivan Cleary (L) and the Panthers are desperate to retain Lindsay Smith, while the Broncos have reportedly signed Gehamat Shibasaki’s (R) brother. Image: Getty
Considering he’s only 25, the deal would likely be in the 7-8 year vicinity and worth at least $6 million all up. Whether Smith is still intent on hitting the open market remains to be seen, but a long-term extension at the Panthers would likely be his ultimate goal.
The front-rower has played 80 games for the Panthers since debuting in 2021, and was part of premiership-winning teams in 2023 and 2024. He made his Test debut for the Kangaroos last year and is once again in Kevin Walters’ squad for the upcoming Ashes series.
Nathan Cleary and Lindsay Smith in action for the Panthers. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)
Panthers players set to hit NRL open market
Smith is one of a number of Penrith premiership winners set to become free agents on November 1. Veteran back-rower Scott Sorensen is in the sights of the Perth Bears, and will likely get a better offer than what Penrith can afford.
Luke Garner is drawing interest from the Dragons and Sea Eagles, while youngsters Liam Henry, Jack Cole and Thomas Jenkins are also without a deal past 2026. The Panthers cut 13 players from their squad at the end of the 2025 season, bidding farewell to fringe first-graders Daine Laurie, Soni Luke, Luke Sommerton, Brad Schneider, Mavrik Geyer, Zac Lipowicz, Asu Kepaoa, John Sagaga, Zack Lamont, Austin Dias, Riley Price, Harry Hassett and Preston Riki.
Laurie is heading to Canberra, while Schneider has joined the Dolphins, Geyer the Tigers, Kepaoa the Knights and Riki the Broncos. The Panthers recently confirmed that Jack Cogger is coming back from Newcastle in 2026, and will likely fill the bench utility role that Schneider filled this season. Cogger helped Penrith win the 2023 grand final when he came onto the field to replace the injured Jarome Luai.
Broncos set to sign Gehamat Shibasaki’s brother
Meanwhile, the Broncos have reportedly offered Jamal Shibasaki a contract for 2026 after he was cut loose by the Cowboys. The younger brother of Brisbane’s fairytale story Gehamat Shibasaki, Jamal is a forward who’s only played two NRL games since debuting for North Queensland last year.
The brothers are from Townsville and 20-year-old Jamal has only ever played in the Cowboys’ system. The 27-year-old Gehamat was first signed by the Broncos back in 2016, before stints at Newcastle, North Queensland and Souths and eventually returning to Brisbane.
Jamal Shibasaki (R) is the younger brother of Broncos star Gehamat (L). Image: Getty
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Gehamat was only on a train and trial deal for 2025, but worked his way into the Broncos’ starting team and completed a cinderella story of a season. He became a premiership player and State of Origin winner with Queensland, and is likely to make his Test debut in the first Ashes Test against England on Saturday night.
He told Zero Tackle earlier this year: “My dream is for me and him to play in the same NRL team together, but if we could get to this [State of Origin] level that’d be the ultimate dream.
“Even though we are like seven years apart, me and him are very close. I want to set that example for him to come through. I want him to have a successful career, so I’m willing to cop it all and then take the tough yards for him to be able to go through it. I want him to play consistent NRL footy and I want him to get all the accolades he deserves.”