Paul Kent believes the Panthers should prioritise Dylan Edwards over Jarome Luai as both players look to command in excess of $1 million a season for 2025 and beyond.
Reports emerged the Panthers will struggle to keep both Luai and Edwards when their contracts expire at the end of 2024, with the two premiership winning stars set to command at least $1 million a season on the open market.
“The Panthers are in an interesting situation because you would think after losing the likes of Kikau, Koroisau and Crichton next year that maybe their salary cap issues had been dealt with,” Dan Ginnane said on NRL 360.
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“But they may be forced into a decision soon at the end of 2024, Dylan Edwards and Jarome Luai’s contracts are up and you can only imagine they are going to demand very big dollars, particularly Edwards.
“Edwards is on a lot less now than what he could get on his next deal.”
However, Paul Kent believes the game is moving in the direction of clubs having multiple players earning $1 million a season and gives the Panthers a chance of retaining both Luai and Edwards.
“Both of them are ($1 million players) and Luai is an Origin calibre player,” Kent said.
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“They have already got their million dollar player in Nathan Cleary. These two guys if one is on a million, one won’t be on much less.
“It’s not going to be a big problem. The million dollar player every club has got one just about now and it won’t be long until every club has got two and then soon after that three.”
However, James Hooper believes the Panthers will have a real fight on their hands to keep the pair at the club given the players they have already re-signed long-term.
“Are you saying they can keep both of them?” Hooper asked.
“I reckon there is a chance yeah,” Kent replied.
“I reckon they might struggle,” Hooper said.
“You think about it, they have got Isaah Yeo, James Fisher-Harris, Moses Leota all locked up long-term on reasonable money.
“They are not going to have the money to be able to pay both of them a million dollars a season.”
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The Daily Telegraph’s Michael Carayannis pointed to the money currently on offer on the open market as evidence the Panthers face a huge test to re-sign both spine players.
“I think the rival offers from other clubs are going to be huge,” Carayannis said.
“I don’t think a million will be enough.
“Look at what Mitchell Moses got offered by the Tigers and what Jack Wighton is going to get offered from the Dolphins and the Raiders.
“Jarome Luai is going to be earning in excess of a million dollars on the open market and there would be a club that would give Dylan Edwards a million dollars as well.”
Still, Kent believes the changes to the salary cap can help the Panthers keep both their stars.
“I think clubs are getting to that stage where they can afford to carry more than one,” Kent said.
“And in some instances more than two. The salary cap went up 24 per cent this year, so it has been significant.”
Ginnane questioned which player out of Luai and Edwards would be more sought after on the open market.
“Who would be the more in demand player?” Ginnane asked.
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“It depends on the need of the club,” Kent replied.
“The market dictates a player’s value. We could sit here and try and predict what they get but who knows?”
“But who would you keep if you can only keep one?” Hooper asked.
“Dylan Edwards,” Kent said.
“I think the Panthers have got halves coming through.”
Hooper believes Penrith’s junior system would hold them in good stead should they lose either Luai or Edwards.
“The advantage Penrith have got is the richest junior rugby league nursery in the world,” Hooper said.
“We have seen how successful that procession line is, so they will have another gun kid that they can come through.”
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Kent believes Dolphins halfback Isaiya Katoa was seen as Luai’s replacement, before he was poached, but warned the Panthers will have both positions covered long-term.
“Well they had Isaiya Katoa coming through, who I think was there ready to go,” Kent said.
“They looked ahead two or three years down the track and thought Luai we are not going to be able to keep him.
“So they thought Katoa will come through for much less on that junior wage, but the Dolphins got under their guard and took him.
“But there will be another one coming through you can guarantee the one thing about the Panthers they will have another one coming through.
“They will have another fullback too no doubt.
“But I think Nathan Cleary is such a dominant player and so good in the halves that Edwards brings just something slightly different to what Luai would if you lost him.”
