The Panthers are in danger of losing yet another of their grand final stars with talented backrower Luke Garner in hot demand from rival clubs and Super League.

The 28-year-old edge forward comes off contract at the end of 2024 and the Panthers are struggling to make him a competitive offer due to salary cap issues.

“Penrith would love to keep him and Luke wants to stay but the salary cap is what it is,” Garner’s manager Tas Bartlett told WWOS.

“Ivan (Cleary) gave him his top grade debut at the Tigers a few years ago and is a fan of the way he plays.

“Luke has had interest both here and in England but will wait and see what happens.”

After five seasons with the Tigers, Garner joined the Panthers last year and played 12 games – including the grand final off the bench.

In doing so, he became only the third player in the modern era to go from wooden spooner to premiership winner in consecutive seasons, after Brenko Lee (2019-2020) and Harvey Howard (1999-2000).

ANOTHER PANTHER SOUNDED OUT
Further alarm bells rang at Penrith before Christmas when another of their back row brigade, Zac Hosking, was spotted touring Canberra’s facilities in the ACT.

Like Garner, Hosking comes off contract at the end of 2024 and he also impressed in his maiden season at the Panthers last year after making the move from Brisbane.

Rumours quickly began that Hosking is set for an immediate move to the Raiders but Ricky Stuart set the record straight for Wide World of Sports.