Latest news with #LukeGarner

ABC News
3 days ago
- Sport
- ABC News
Luke Garner: We had a line in the sand moment that has turned everything around
Penrith is starting to hover ominously behind the top 4 on the NRL ladder after notching a 6th straight win in round 20. Second rower Luke Garner (22:38) puts it down to a serious chat that the whole senior group had 6 or 7 weeks ago that decided training intensity had definitely dropped. Garner told Andrew Moore and the team that they've really stepped up their defensive effort but he couldn't throw too much light on his own playing future. Luke Lewis had a bit to say on the immediate future of Newcastle bound Eel Dylan Brown (32:11). Plus catch up on all the latest Rugby League news - and speculation - in MC's Hammertime (40:04).
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
New NRL club emerges as potential landing spot for premiership-winning Panthers ace
The Penrith Panthers are facing the possible exit of forward Luke Garner with the versatile second-rower linked to the Dragons after reports he was allowed to negotiate with other clubs early. Last week, the reported Garner and his management have been granted permission to leave one year early if he can find a new club. The report stated the Parramatta Eels were initially one of three clubs interested in the versatile forward, but a three-year deal has been tabled by a different team. Since the update there has been movement in the player market that suggests a new club could be keen for the Panthers star. The Dragons announced Jack de Belin has joined the Parramatta Eels from 2026 onwards with the club letting the 34-year-old move on. This appears to have ruled the Eels out of the race for Garner. And with de Belin's absence frees up extra salary cap space for Garner at the Dragons. The Penrith forward has now been linked to the Dragons who are looking to the future with shifting de Belin on, according to Michael Chammas speaking on Triple M Radio. Although Dragons coach Shane Flanagan did express earlier this year the side is short of front-rowers. "That's an area they want to improve, but good luck finding a middle...I don't have your answer. Apparently they were looking at Luke Garner as a potential edge-player, but it doesn't solve their middles," he said on Triple M Radio. Garner would add versatility and experience to the Dragons with Garner winning multiple premierships at the Panthers. The 29-year-old has played 114 first-grade games to date - 75 with the Wests Tigers and 39 with Penrith. This year he has filled in for Cleary's side at second-row, lock and in the centres. However, the club have reportedly allowed Garner to negotiate with other clubs with his deal running out at the end of 2026. Garner would be the latest player to leave the Panthers dynasty largely due to salary cap constraints. In recent years the Panthers have been forced to part ways with big-name players like Jarome Luai, Stephen Crichton, Matt Burton, Viliame Kikau and Api Koroisau. Despite plenty of talk Garner could end up with the Bulldogs with some of his former teammates, it appears the Dragons are in the race for the versatile star who won two premierships at the Panthers. While the Dragons have entered the race for the versatile forward, it comes as coach Flanagan faces plenty of pressure to turn results around. The coach is facing plenty of backlash over his halves pairing having opted to drop Lachlan Ilias earlier this year with son Kyle Flanagan remaining in the No.7 jersey. But results haven't gone the Dragons' way since and Ilias has been carving it up in NSW Cup winning eight games in a row. And speaking about the poor run of form, Chammas believes Flanagan is facing plenty of pressure with only one-year left on his contract at the club. "The pressure is naturally on Kyle Flanagan. Some unfair, some warranted. But I think this week if they lose, it will be hard to resist changes," Chammas added. "This is a pressure moment for Shane Flanagan. He has one more year on would imagine these results over the next few weeks will dictate what the club does going forward and pressure on the halves to get it right."
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
NRL fans react as champion Panthers player linked with early exit to rival club
The Penrith Panthers have reportedly granted two-time premiership-winning forward Luke Garner permission to speak to rival clubs and are willing to let him leave early. Garner was part of the Panthers' premiership-winning teams in 2023 and 2024 and is contracted until the end of 2026. However the is reporting that Garner and his management have been granted permission to leave one year early if he can find a new club. The report states the Parramatta Eels were initially one of three clubs interested in the versatile forward, but a three-year deal has been tabled by a different team. The 29-year-old Garner has played 114 first-grade games to date - 75 with the Wests Tigers and 39 with Penrith. He's proven to be a versatile weapon for Ivan Cleary's side in 2025, playing second-row, lock and centre. He played in the Panthers' grand final victories in 2023 and 2024 grand finals, coming off the bench both times. He'd be a handy pick-up for a rival club, and would join a long line of premiership-winning players to leave Penrith. Due to salary cap constraints, the Panthers have been forced to part ways with big-name players like Jarome Luai, Stephen Crichton, Matt Burton, Viliame Kikau and Api Koroisau. NRL fans are predicting Garner might end up reuniting with former teammates Crichton, Burton and Kikau at the Dogs. Others were quick to question why the Panthers would release him early, considering he's been a key cog in their side in 2025. The Panthers are flushed for depth in the back-row, with the likes of Isaah Yeo, Isaiah Papali'i, Scott Sorensen, Liam Henry and Mavrik Geyer. Former Panthers star Bryce Cartwright is also back in the Penrith system after joining St Mary's in Ron Massey Cup after being granted an immediate release from the Eels. Some have speculated he might end up back in a Panthers jersey, although it appears more likely his career at NRL level is over. Garner has been relegated to the bench for the Panthers' Round 16 game against the Warriors on Saturday, suggesting he might be on the outer. Speculation has been rife on social media about where he might end up playing in 2026. Luke Garner sounds like a real Manly signing. — Kieran Wagstaff (@KieranWagstaff) June 19, 2025 Why are we getting rid of Luke Garner, he's been quality for us, get rid of Tago before getting rid of Garner — Kyle (@kyle_waller2) June 19, 2025 Smart. Love Garns but no matter how successful you are, you need to continue to churn — 91 03 21 22 23 24 PREMIERS 🐾🏆 (@SnoogThe) June 19, 2025 Luke's improvement at Penrith has been gradual and sustained and he is now a valuable part of our team. We're Grateful for his contribution and wish him well in the future. — Tony Diaczok (@tdiaczok) June 19, 2025 It's definitely based on some junior talent the fact he has been offered to look around suggests he won't be here next year — Panthers 4 back to back (@ckthommo) June 19, 2025 I don't think we can afford to let Garner go just yet. How young do we want this team to get? — Nick92 (@pantherman92) June 19, 2025 As well as losing premiership-winning players, the Panthers are also losing their champion assistant coaches. On Thursday, the Perth Bears announced the signing of Panthers assistant Ben Gardiner to work as Mal Meninga's right-hand man. Gardiner, who helped the Panthers win premierships in 2023 and 2024, will join the Bears in 2026 to help Meninga with recruitment before they enter the NRL competition in 2027. Gardiner is the current head coach of the Samoa national team, and previously led the North Sydney Bears in NSW Cup. He joins Cameron Ciraldo and Andrew Webster as Penrith assistant coaches to score roles at rival clubs during their run of four-straight premierships. RELATED: Selwyn Cobbo facing dire situation as Broncos sign three players Andrew Johns airs complaint over Origin moment 'shouldn't be allowed' On top of all that, the Panthers will also farewell long-time CEO Brian Fletcher in 2026. The 71-year-old has been Penrith CEO for the last 15 years, but has decided to retire.


The Advertiser
21-05-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Concussion leaves Penrith with more Origin-round issues
A last-minute concussion has further dented Penrith's playing stocks, with Luke Garner's head knock leaving the Panthers without their five first-choice back-rowers. Garner suffered a concussion at training on Tuesday, prompting confusion around the naming of their team to take on Newcastle. It's understood the utility back-rower was ruled out by the doctor after the club entered him into the NRL's system to play in the No.11 jersey on Saturday. That prompted the space to be left vacant on the NRL's website, with an automated system not allowing players to be named while they are in concussion protocols. Jordan Riki was subsequently elevated from the bench into Penrith's starting side, with former Wests Tigers forward Austin Dias brought onto the bench. The head knock could not have come at a worse time for the Panthers. Lock Isaah Yeo and second-rower Liam Martin are both unavailable to face the Knights due to State of Origin selection, as part of five Panthers in the Blues' camp. Back-rower Scott Sorensen still has another week to serve for a shoulder-charge ban, as a result of electing to fight the sanction at the judiciary last month. And to make matters worse, Isaiah Papali'i has suffered a knee injury which is set to rule him out for at least two weeks. It means Riki will start in only his second NRL game, while Liam Henry has also moved from his regular position of prop into the second row. Fellow prop Lindsay Smith has been named at lock. While Penrith are also without NSW stars Nathan Cleary, Brian To'o and Dylan Edwards for Saturday's match in Bathurst, Newcastle are equally impacted. Kalyn Ponga is their sole Origin representative, but Bradman Best, Greg Marzhew and Jacob Saifiti are all out injured. The Panthers desperately need to win through the representative period this year given they sit 13th on the ladder, after losing their past three Origin-affected rounds. The four-time defending premiers are expected to name all five Blues players for the round-13 match against Parramatta, given it is five days after Origin I. The timing of Garner's concussion means he should be released from protocols and able to play in that match too. But Penrith have already indicated their NSW stars won't back up in round 16, given they play in Auckland three days after Origin II in Perth. A last-minute concussion has further dented Penrith's playing stocks, with Luke Garner's head knock leaving the Panthers without their five first-choice back-rowers. Garner suffered a concussion at training on Tuesday, prompting confusion around the naming of their team to take on Newcastle. It's understood the utility back-rower was ruled out by the doctor after the club entered him into the NRL's system to play in the No.11 jersey on Saturday. That prompted the space to be left vacant on the NRL's website, with an automated system not allowing players to be named while they are in concussion protocols. Jordan Riki was subsequently elevated from the bench into Penrith's starting side, with former Wests Tigers forward Austin Dias brought onto the bench. The head knock could not have come at a worse time for the Panthers. Lock Isaah Yeo and second-rower Liam Martin are both unavailable to face the Knights due to State of Origin selection, as part of five Panthers in the Blues' camp. Back-rower Scott Sorensen still has another week to serve for a shoulder-charge ban, as a result of electing to fight the sanction at the judiciary last month. And to make matters worse, Isaiah Papali'i has suffered a knee injury which is set to rule him out for at least two weeks. It means Riki will start in only his second NRL game, while Liam Henry has also moved from his regular position of prop into the second row. Fellow prop Lindsay Smith has been named at lock. While Penrith are also without NSW stars Nathan Cleary, Brian To'o and Dylan Edwards for Saturday's match in Bathurst, Newcastle are equally impacted. Kalyn Ponga is their sole Origin representative, but Bradman Best, Greg Marzhew and Jacob Saifiti are all out injured. The Panthers desperately need to win through the representative period this year given they sit 13th on the ladder, after losing their past three Origin-affected rounds. The four-time defending premiers are expected to name all five Blues players for the round-13 match against Parramatta, given it is five days after Origin I. The timing of Garner's concussion means he should be released from protocols and able to play in that match too. But Penrith have already indicated their NSW stars won't back up in round 16, given they play in Auckland three days after Origin II in Perth. A last-minute concussion has further dented Penrith's playing stocks, with Luke Garner's head knock leaving the Panthers without their five first-choice back-rowers. Garner suffered a concussion at training on Tuesday, prompting confusion around the naming of their team to take on Newcastle. It's understood the utility back-rower was ruled out by the doctor after the club entered him into the NRL's system to play in the No.11 jersey on Saturday. That prompted the space to be left vacant on the NRL's website, with an automated system not allowing players to be named while they are in concussion protocols. Jordan Riki was subsequently elevated from the bench into Penrith's starting side, with former Wests Tigers forward Austin Dias brought onto the bench. The head knock could not have come at a worse time for the Panthers. Lock Isaah Yeo and second-rower Liam Martin are both unavailable to face the Knights due to State of Origin selection, as part of five Panthers in the Blues' camp. Back-rower Scott Sorensen still has another week to serve for a shoulder-charge ban, as a result of electing to fight the sanction at the judiciary last month. And to make matters worse, Isaiah Papali'i has suffered a knee injury which is set to rule him out for at least two weeks. It means Riki will start in only his second NRL game, while Liam Henry has also moved from his regular position of prop into the second row. Fellow prop Lindsay Smith has been named at lock. While Penrith are also without NSW stars Nathan Cleary, Brian To'o and Dylan Edwards for Saturday's match in Bathurst, Newcastle are equally impacted. Kalyn Ponga is their sole Origin representative, but Bradman Best, Greg Marzhew and Jacob Saifiti are all out injured. The Panthers desperately need to win through the representative period this year given they sit 13th on the ladder, after losing their past three Origin-affected rounds. The four-time defending premiers are expected to name all five Blues players for the round-13 match against Parramatta, given it is five days after Origin I. The timing of Garner's concussion means he should be released from protocols and able to play in that match too. But Penrith have already indicated their NSW stars won't back up in round 16, given they play in Auckland three days after Origin II in Perth.


Perth Now
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Concussion leaves Penrith with more Origin-round issues
A last-minute concussion has further dented Penrith's playing stocks, with Luke Garner's head knock leaving the Panthers without their five first-choice back-rowers. Garner suffered a concussion at training on Tuesday, prompting confusion around the naming of their team to take on Newcastle. It's understood the utility back-rower was ruled out by the doctor after the club entered him into the NRL's system to play in the No.11 jersey on Saturday. That prompted the space to be left vacant on the NRL's website, with an automated system not allowing players to be named while they are in concussion protocols. Jordan Riki was subsequently elevated from the bench into Penrith's starting side, with former Wests Tigers forward Austin Dias brought onto the bench. The head knock could not have come at a worse time for the Panthers. Lock Isaah Yeo and second-rower Liam Martin are both unavailable to face the Knights due to State of Origin selection, as part of five Panthers in the Blues' camp. Back-rower Scott Sorensen still has another week to serve for a shoulder-charge ban, as a result of electing to fight the sanction at the judiciary last month. And to make matters worse, Isaiah Papali'i has suffered a knee injury which is set to rule him out for at least two weeks. It means Riki will start in only his second NRL game, while Liam Henry has also moved from his regular position of prop into the second row. Fellow prop Lindsay Smith has been named at lock. While Penrith are also without NSW stars Nathan Cleary, Brian To'o and Dylan Edwards for Saturday's match in Bathurst, Newcastle are equally impacted. Kalyn Ponga is their sole Origin representative, but Bradman Best, Greg Marzhew and Jacob Saifiti are all out injured. The Panthers desperately need to win through the representative period this year given they sit 13th on the ladder, after losing their past three Origin-affected rounds. The four-time defending premiers are expected to name all five Blues players for the round-13 match against Parramatta, given it is five days after Origin I. The timing of Garner's concussion means he should be released from protocols and able to play in that match too. But Penrith have already indicated their NSW stars won't back up in round 16, given they play in Auckland three days after Origin II in Perth.