The Canberra Raiders are close to securing the services of Penrith Panthers forward Zac Hosking after he toured the club's training facilities on Wednesday afternoon, SEN.com.au understands.
Hosking is free to talk with rival clubs with his contract expiring in 12 months but is a serious chance of lining up for the Raiders in Round One next year if he is granted an early release.
The 26-year-old was a revelation for the reigning premiers in the regular season, making 21 appearances primarily in the second row whilst showing his versatility off the bench and in the backline.
However, Hosking fell out of the Panthers' 17-man squads when finals came around and didn’t make an appearance after the final game of the regular season.
With the likes of Liam Martin, Scott Sorensen, Luke Garner and potentially Riley Price all ahead of Hosking in Penrith’s pecking order, a move away could be the 26-year-old’s best option.
Hosking could join the club as a ready-made replacement to skipper Elliott Whitehead who looks set to hang up the boots at the end of 2024.
The 26-year-old has made 25 appearances in the last two NRL seasons, scoring three tries in the process.