Penrith Panthers talent Blaize Talagi could have played his last game for the club, with rumours of his imminent departure emerging.
The five-eighth joined the club from the Parramatta Eels at the end of 2024, having debuted for the blue and gold before he left.
His talent made him the obvious replacement for Jarome Luai, but now, at the end of 2026, he still hasn't bridged that gap, with the utility struggling to the point he was dropped from first-grade for Jack Cogger and Jack Cole during the final weeks of 2026.
He returned at centre for the qualifying final against the Sydney Roosters, and Ivan Cleary, speaking on SEN Radio, admitted both of his best games in recent years have come at centre.
“Since Jarome left a couple of years ago, we're still trying to find a permanent replacement,” Cleary said on SEN Radio.
“Blaize's best two games have been at centre lately. One thing about Blaize is he's not afraid of the big occasion, and I think he's awesome. He did what we wanted him to do.”
It comes as reports indicate Talagi may have played his last game for the Panthers.
“He may not play again for them potentially,” journalist Michael Carayannis said on NRL 360.
“You look at this situation, he played centre on the weekend for Luke Garner. (Paul) Alamoti is back and Jack Cogger is back from suspension, so Cogger will go to six.
“He's off-contract at the end of next year so clubs will be circling and if rival clubs comes knocking next year I don't think Penrith stand in his way.”
It's understood Penrith's tight salary cap may also play into the idea that Talagi could leave the club at the end of 2026, although at this stage it's unclear if any other teams have, or will, make a play for him.
