The Penrith Panthers have poured cold water on earlier reports suggesting they are keeping a close eye on Luke Brooks to join their prestigious club.
Brooks had an outstanding 2026 campaign under new Sea Eagles coach Kieran Foran before his ACL injury, but the emergence of Clayton Faulalo in the five-eighth jersey has cast some doubt whether he will be extended at the club beyond 2027.
Adding further intrigue to that is Onitoni Large making his NRL debut at the backend of this season, and looks to be almost ready to push for a starting spot after carving up through the grades.
Meanwhile, rising star Joey Walsh is also in selection conversations for the halves, making it somewhat of a bottleneck of talent on the Northern Beaches.
With uncertainty heading into 2027 about the Panthers' halves rotation, Brooks came into focus after Blaize Talagi's future at the foot of the mountains has become cloudy.
Although, fresh reports from The Western Weekender reveal the Panthers have confirmed they will not be making a play for Brooks and have made no enquiries about his availability.
Brooks is at a sweet spot in his career where he has found his groove in the five-eighth jersey, playing eyes-up footy.
Courtesy of the modern pace of the NRL, Brooks is relishing the increased speed of the ruck and playing on the front foot, which saw him create a deadly combination with left- side outside backs in Tolutau Koula and Lehi Hopoate during 2026.
With plenty of talent coming through the Manly system, Foran has plenty of options on where he sees the future make-up of his spine.
The club looks to have missed out on gun hooker Tom Starling, who has reportedly signed a long-term deal with St Helens in the Super League.
They will welcome highly touted prospect Kayliss Fatialofa into the squad next season, along with Starford To'a, Davvy Moale and Toni Mataele joining Foran's team.
The publication also confirmed rising prop Luron Patea has not been given permission to speak to NRL rivals at the end of the year and is set to stay at the foot of the mountains.
Patea has made 21 appearances over the past three seasons for the Panthers, scoring his first NRL try in Magic Round last season.
He is contracted until the end of the 2027 season.
