The Penrith Panthers are set to confirm the signing of two talented fullbacks for 2026 having made moves to add depth to the No.1 jersey after Daine Laurie’s exit to Canberra. Panthers fans were sad to see deputy fullback Laurie walk out the door at the end of the season having signed with the Canberra Raiders.
Penrith made the tough decision to release Laurie, along with a host of other players, as they set about a major roster overhaul for the upcoming NRL season. And it appears Ivan Cleary has already made moves to secure depth in the backline for the future having signed two versatile fullback talents.
Storm academy star Karauria Stokes-Mauahara is set to make the move from Melbourne to Penrith with Ivan Cleary (pictured left) swooping on the young star. (Images: Getty Images)
Storm academy star Karauria Stokes-Mauahara will make the move from Melbourne to Penrith with plenty of hype surrounding the New Zealand-born talent. While the Panthers are also set to bring over Burleigh Bears fullback Kaea Cribb.
The duo will add depth to the Panthers backline after a number of players departed the club following the 2025 season. The Dragons recently announced the signing of David Fale, while a Queensland club is reportedly circling Jesse McLean.
While the Panthers do appear to have depth in the fullback role, the Dragons have signed a number of academy players from Penrith in 2025. And Western Newspaper reporter Peter Lang pointed out this was a different strategy from Penrith who have reacted because rivals have come knocking for their own talent in recent years.
“The club has lost a lot of players in the lower grades to other clubs so they’re restocking so to speak. First time they’ve recruited so many lower grade players from other clubs,” Lang wrote on social media.
Cleary and the Panthers are looking to bounce back from their preliminary final exit in 2025 with depth in the lower grades creating competition. And Panthers fans will welcome the signing of the two talented stars as they look to keep their dynasty alive.
Dragons raid Penrith Panthers talent
The club said goodbye to 13 players who were announced as leaving the Panthers at the club’s presentation night last month. Although NSW Cup star Fale wasn’t one of them. But the Dragons swooped on the 25-year-old talent with the outside back admitting his chances of game time were limited at Penrith.
Fale could compete for a wing position under Shane Flanagan, or act as a cover across the bacline next season. In July the Dragons also confirmed the signings of twin 16-year-olds Alexander and Cornelius Pupualii. The twins are Penrith juniors and highly-regarded prospects.
Daine Laurie departs Penrith Panthers
Penrith’s move comes after Panthers fans were disappointed to see Laurie walk out the door after the season’s end. The speedy utility admitted last month that he had no idea what his future held after ruling out a potential move to the English Super League.
Laurie was a standout for the Panthers in round 26 when Cleary rested 16 players against the Bulldogs. This prompted calls from fans for the Panthers to offer Laurie another deal. But Ricky Stuart made the move on Laurie who will add depth to the young Raiders backline when he links up with the minor premiers in the nation’s capital. The 26-year-old has played 75 NRL games and will add experience and crucial depth in several positions heading into the new season.
Daine Laurie (pictured) has departed the Panthers to join the Canberra Raiders.