Panthers star Blaize Talagi is facing an uncertain future as Penrith begin to set the wheels in motion to try and keep hold of Nathan Cleary.
Code Sports reporter Michael Carayannis understands the 21-year-old “may not play again” for the club despite his contract running until the end of the 2027 season.
Talagi proved crucial to the Panthers’ win over the Roosters, but Paul Alamoti and Jack Cogger are still expected to come back in and replace him for next weekend’s preliminary final.
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And with Jett Cleary also arriving next year, Carayannis fears Talagi may have already played his final minutes for the club.
“He may not play again for them potentially,” he said on NRL 360.
“You look at this situation, he played centre on the weekend for Luke Garner. (Paul) Alamoti is back and Jack Cogger is back from suspension so Cogger will go to six.
“He’s off-contract at the end of next year so clubs will be circling and if rival clubs comes knocking next year I don’t think Penrith stand in his way.”
Talagi’s departure would alleviate salary cap concerns and allow Penrith to focus on keeping the trio of Cleary, Liam Martin and Isaah Yeo.
Fellow Code Sports expert Brent Read added: “The other factor is this is Penrith’s salary cap situation. They’re trying to keep a lot of guys and you can free up money next year if Blaize goes.
“It helps you keep the rest of that roster. It’s a big decision to make in the off-season.”
Cleary is being widely linked with a $1.5 million-per-year move to the PNG Chiefs.
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Offloading the likes of Talagi could enable the Panthers to match the Chiefs’ offer as they desperately attempt to keep their star man.
Meanwhile, Talagi is expected to end up at the Eels if he is moved on by Penrith.
This would see him link up with his brother Ryda Talagi.
And while they have already penned a one-year deal with Jarome Luai, there is the option of playing Talagi in the centre for a season before Luai leaves for the Chiefs.
Originally published as NRL star ‘may not play again’ as Panthers’ Nathan Cleary plan emerges