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Penrith enforcers Moses Leota and Liam Martin have spoken of the agonising decisions they will soon be required to make on their playing careers, with the latter declaring “money’s not everything at the end of the day”.
The Panthers have a raft of key stars uncontracted beyond 2027 who will be free to negotiate with rival clubs on November 1. Some of them – headlined by Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo, Martin, Leota and Isaiah Papali’i – have parked negotiations to focus on the upcoming finals, beginning with Sunday’s blockbuster clash against the Roosters at CommBank Stadium.
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The club has made progress with Yeo, who was able to dedicate some time to his contract discussions while recovering from a pectoral injury, while Cleary is in no rush to make a call.
The club granted Leota a brief window to explore his options earlier this season, but the Kiwi international hasn’t made a decision on where he will be playing in 2028.
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Martin, who has been strongly linked with the PNG Chiefs, will also be in hot demand if he doesn’t recommit to Penrith before November 1. The NSW and Australian back-rower said he would “love to stay” at the Panthers, but would give his future more attention after their premiership campaign ends.
“Obviously there could be more money elsewhere, but money’s not everything at the end of the day,” Martin said. “It’s also enjoying your footy. I’ve got a great bunch of mates here, like best mates, that I’ve played with since I was 18.
“And I’ve been in Penrith for 10 years now, and got a little boy. So, yeah, there’s a lot to weigh up. It’s not an easy decision, but I guess I’ll have to make it in due time.”
Martin and Leota have been the cornerstones of a Panthers pack that has won four premierships since 2021. They will have to balance the prospect of higher wages available elsewhere against the likelihood of joining a less successful team.
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“That success is so addictive, and what we’ve got here is just an incredible culture,” Martin said. “And it’s going to be very successful for a long time, this club, when you have the likes of Casey [McLean], Blaze [Talagi], Billy Phillips coming through. So, yeah, it would be hard to walk away …
“It’s sort of the duality of it. You couldn’t imagine going somewhere and experiencing failure and just how tough that would be. But also the challenge of building a successful club somewhere else, and I feel like I could offer something. It’s a tough decision.”
Leota is grappling with similar sentiments before making a call on what will likely be the last contract of his career.
“Penrith is my home and this is all I’ve ever known, so it’d be hard to sort of get me away from here. But we’ll see what happens,” Leota said.
“I’m leaving it up to my manager, and if it gets done before or after [November 1] it is what it is.”
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The Panthers host the Roosters in a qualifying final at Commbank Stadium on Sunday. One of the highlights will be the clash between Roosters firebrand Spencer Leniu and his former teammates. Leniu almost lost his cool on several occasions in last week’s clash against the Rabbitohs, including during a running battle with Keaon Koloamatangi.
“Spenny, I’m sure he would love to have his time again, and I’m sure he’ll learn from that lesson, and probably won’t be quite as fiery this week, I’m sure,” Martin said.
“I’m really looking forward to the clash. We always have good battles out there. I’m really looking forward to it … he sort of can break the game open. He’s one of those real dynamic and explosive players, I’m sure he’ll be looking to do that this weekend. So we’re going to have to do a job of containing him.”
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Adrian Proszenko is the Chief Rugby League Reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via X or email.AdvertisementAdvertisement