The Penrith Panthers used their annual Merv Cartwright Medal night to not only celebrate another season of excellence, but also to draw the curtain on the tenure of a number of players who have worn the black jersey with pride in recent years.
While club captain Nathan Cleary was the headline act—collecting the Merv Cartwright Medal as the Panthers’ 2025 Player of the Year—the evening also carried a note of farewell. The club confirmed that several members of the squad, many of whom have featured prominently in the Panthers’ NSW Cup campaigns over the past two seasons, will move on at the end of the year.
Those departing include:
- Asu Kepaoa
- John Sagaga
- Zack Lamont
- Austin Dias
- Riley Price
- Zac Lipowicz (joining Catalans Dragons)
- Harry Hassett
- Preston Riki
- Soni Luke
- Luke Sommerton
- Mavrik Geyer (signing with Wests Tigers)
- Daine Laurie
- Brad Schneider (heading to the Dolphins)
For many of these players, their contributions have been felt in the engine room of Penrith’s success story—the NSW Cup side that has helped maintain the club’s incredible depth during its golden era in the NRL. Players such as Soni Luke and Daine Laurie have also had the chance to step into first grade, providing valuable cover and energy when called upon. Others, like Mavrik Geyer and Brad Schneider, have earned opportunities elsewhere as they chase regular top-flight football.
The departures also underline the natural cycle of a powerhouse club. With Penrith continuing to develop emerging talent and maintain a roster full of internationals, opportunities for regular NRL football can be limited. For players like Lipowicz, Geyer, and Schneider, new homes present fresh chances to prove themselves on bigger stages.
