Penrith Panthers announce 13 player departures including son of club legend

The Penrith Panthers have farewelled 13 players at the club's awards night as they prepare for their finals run to a fifth straight premiership.

As the season begins to draw to an end, clubs have begun announcing their departures in preparation for 2026.

Some players have confirmed new homes for next season while some are still on the lookout for new clubs and will be hoping to sort their futures before November 1.

Here’s who your club has farewelled:

Panthers

13 players will be departing at season's end with the most high-profile departure being Daine Laurie. Laurie returned to the club in 2024 after a brief stint with the Wests Tigers. The utility is on the hunt for a new NRL club in 2026.

Reserve hookers Luke Sommerton and Soni Luke will also leave the club with the latter linked to a Super League move with Catalans.

Halfback Brad Schneider has signed a one-year deal to join the Dolphins in 2026.

Mavrik Geyer, son of Penrith great Mark, has been squeezed out and has signed with the Wests Tigers.

Zac Lipowicz, who made his NRL debut in the Round 26 clash against the Bulldogs, has signed with the Catalans Dragons in the Super League.

Asu Kepaoa has had an outstanding NSW Cup campaign in 2025, and the Newcastle Knights have acquired the centre on a two-year contract.

Other names to depart are John Sagaga, Austin Dias, Riley Price, Preston Riki and Harry Hassett.

Departing players: Daine Laurie, Luke Sommerton, Soni Luke, John Sagaga, Austin Dias, Riley Price, Preston Riki, Harry Hassett (released), Brad Schneider (Dolphins), Mavrik Geyer (Wests Tigers), Zac Lipowicz (Catalans), Asu Kepaoa (Knights)

Parramatta

Ahead of their final game against the Newcastle Knights, the Parramatta Eels have announced the departures of eight players, including three players who left mid-season.

Joe Ofahenghae was granted a release mid-season from the club to join Leigh Leopards in the Super League, while Bryce Cartwright and Shaun Lane both opted to retire mid-season.

Back in March, five-eighth Dylan Brown signed a 10-year, $13 million deal with the Knights; the richest deal in NRL history.

The remaining four players were announced as hooker Joey Lussick, prop Wiremu Greig, forward Dan Keir and winger Haze Dunster.

Dunster made his debut back in 2020 but injuries limited him to nineteen games in five seasons, last playing in 2023.

Lussick made four appearances for the club this season but the emergence of Ryley Smith and Tallyn Da Silva this season, and the presence of Brendan Hands, limited his opportunities.

Greig played 26 games in his career at Parramatta but failed to make an appearance this season. He enjoyed his best year in 2023, playing 16 games that year, while Dan Keir only made one appearance this season, featuring as 18th man on four occasions.

Departing players: Dylan Brown (Newcastle), Joe Ofahenghae (Leigh), Bryce Cartwright, Shaun Lane (retired), Wiremu Greig, Joey Lussick, Dan Keir, Haze Dunster (released)

Sea Eagles

The Sea Eagles announced the departures of nine players following their win over the New Zealand Warriors on Friday night.

Cherry-Evans departure from the Sea Eagles has been well publicised throughout the season, and while a landing spot hasn’t yet been confirmed, the Roosters still remain the favourite in the likely scenario the halfback plays for another season.

Props Toff Sipley was released early to take up an offer in the Super League with Sam Burgess’s Warrington Wolves, while fellow prop Josh Aloiai is expected to medically retire after a shoulder injury limited him to only five games for the season.

Reports circulated a month ago that Tommy Talau would re-sign with the Sea Eagles, however, his departure leaves his future in the air.

Notably absent is Siosiua Taukeiaho and Aaron Schoupp. Taukeiaho is off-contract but expected to re-sign with the Sea Eagles for another season while Schoupp was expected to depart the club before he suffered an ACL injury in the final round of the season.

Departing players: Daly Cherry-Evans (unsigned), Toafofoa Siplay (Warrington), Jazz Tevaga (Wakefield Trinity), Dean Matterson (Super XIII France), Josh Aloiai (released), Michael Chee Kam, Tommy Talau, Raymond Vaega, Gordon Chan Kum Tong (released)

Cowboys

The Cowboys are farewelling seven players after an underwhelming 2025 season.

NSW Origin representative Reece Robson announced a four-year contract with the Sydney Roosters at the beginning of the season, while veteran prop Jordan McLean announced his retirement after 242 games ahead of the Cowboys’ final game against the Broncos.

Former Canberra winger Semi Valemei will link up with the Castleford Tigers in the Super League on a two-year deal, while promising halfback Tom Duffy will depart the club and likely join the Brisbane Broncos.

Rookies Jamal Shibasaki, Emarly Bitungane and Nic Lenaz will also depart the club.

Departing players: Reece Robson (Sydney), Jordan McLean (retired), Semi Valemei (Castleford), Tom Duffy, Jamal Shibasaki, Emarly Bitungane, Nic Lenaz (released)