Once again Penrith Panthers coach Ivan Cleary has surprised the NRL with a big number.
On the same night his son Nathan claimed a third Merv Cartwright Medal as the club’s best and fairest player for 2025, the Panthers confirmed an entire starting side, 13 players, will depart at season’s end.
The long list of departures includes no less than ten Panthers first graders.
It also features nine of the ‘rest-gate’ squad that took the field against the Bulldogs in Round 26, headlined by Daine Laurie, Brad Schneider and Luke Sommerton, who will start at hooker in Saturday’s elimination final against the Warriors following an injury to Mitch Kenny.
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Whatever the outcome of the 2025 finals series, the high turnover rate will yet again test of the much-heralded depth at the foot of the mountains, given several of the departing players have provided key positional cover during 2025.
Top of that list is dynamic outside back Daine Laurie who has featured in nine games this season including six starts, mostly in place of NSW Blues fullback Dylan Edwards.
While 26-year-old Lauire had hoped to remain at the Panthers in 2026, a deal couldn’t get done and he will now depart the club for the second time in his NRL career.
Thank you to all the players who will depart the club at season's end 👏🏽
— Penrith Panthers 🏆🏆🏆🏆 (@PenrithPanthers) September 9, 2025
📺 https://t.co/LxAd5Iu4F4 pic.twitter.com/p1bCMp700K