Penrith Panthers 2026: A look at a potential lineup if all targets fall in place

When the dust settles on the 2025 season, Penrith enter 2026 with both big shoes to fill and new opportunities to shine.

After four straight premierships, Ivan Cleary’s side have had several departures of key figures, but a number of promising recruits, homegrown talents, and rising stars suggest they could still roll out a fearsome roster.

Here’s how a “what if everything goes right” Panthers side might look—assuming confirmed signings stay healthy, rumoured targets arrive, and younger players step up.

Departures & Gaps to Fill

• Jarome Luai has moved to the Wests Tigers. His departure leaves a big hole in the halves and as a playmaker.
• James Fisher-Harris, the workhorse in the front row, has departed for the Warriors. That leaves a gap in the middle that must be plugged by existing forwards or with new signings.

Incoming & Rising Talent

• Blaize Talagi has officially signed a three-year deal to join Penrith ahead of 2026. He’s versatile — capable of playing fullback, wing, centre, five-eighth or off the bench. Many expect him to push for the No. 6 jersey.
• Isaiah Papali’i is another confirmed recruit, bolstering the forward pack.
• Lindsay Smith, a Test rookie for the Kangaroos, is in the mix for front row/impact minutes.
• Younger names like Casey McLean are pushing for starting roles. McLean impressed, including in representative appearances (e.g. for New Zealand), and might claim a wing spot.

Projected Starting 17: First Round / Best Case

Here is a possible first-round starting 17 for Penrith in 2026, if everything falls into place:

Interchange / Bench:

• 14. Brad Schneider — utility, halves depth; rotational role.
• 15. Isaiah Papali’i — strength in forward rotations, impact off bench.
• 16. Liam Henry — likely involvement; pushing for front-row load.
• 17. Luke Garner — experience; depth in forward pack.

Key Battles, Depth & What Could Shift

Even with this ideal starting side, there are battles and variables that could reshape this:

• Front row competition: With Fisher-Harris gone, Smith and Henry are likely to compete for starting time. Both have shown potential.
• Halves reshuffle: Talagi comes in with high expectations, but there may be teething issues. If he or Cleary are injured or out of form, someone like Brad Schneider might be leaned on.
• Wing / backline depth: Incumbents and rising players (like McLean) will push for selection. Injuries will test depth.
• Bench impact: Having strong interchange forwards is crucial, especially for big minutes and to cover Origin etc. Papali’i and Henry may get big rotations.

Prediction: What 2026 Could Look Like

If Penrith manage to gel early, avoid long-term injuries, and their young stars rise to the occasion, they’ll be one of the top 4 sides again. The spine (Cleary / Talagi / Edwards / Yeo) looks in very good shape. The forward pack will need to absorb the loss of Fisher-Harris, but they seem to have the recruits and depth to do so.

Expect:

• A starting 13 similar to above by Round 1 (maybe small tweaks depending on preseason form).
• Big minutes for Smith / Papali’i / Henry in the middle.
• Talagi will be under pressure to deliver but gives freshness.
• A focus on building cohesion around defensive combinations, since loss of experience is non-trivial (Luai, Fisher-Harris, Turuva etc).