Luke Garner’s time at the Penrith Panthers appears to be drawing to a close, with reports confirming the club is prepared to release the veteran utility at the end of the 2025 NRL season—despite him having a year left on his contract.
Garner, who has filled both second-row and centre roles during his tenure, has spent much of his Panthers stint on the fringes of first-grade selection. While not officially off contract, Code Sports has revealed that Penrith have granted Garner permission to negotiate with rival clubs ahead of the usual November 1 deadline.
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The 28-year-old is now understood to be nearing an agreement with at least one NRL club, with the Parramatta Eels emerging as frontrunners for his signature. A three-year contract has reportedly been offered, a significant show of confidence considering Garner’s recent battles with injuries.
Having debuted for the Wests Tigers in 2018, Garner amassed 75 appearances before joining the Panthers in 2023. He has since added 39 more NRL games to his name, though injuries have limited his impact.
Despite this, his versatility and experience, including being part of premiership-winning squads at Penrith, make him an attractive acquisition for clubs in rebuild phases.
Parramatta, now under head coach Jason Ryles, is undergoing a significant roster overhaul. Garner is expected to slot straight into the 17—either as a starter or on the bench—bringing with him a winning mentality that the Eels hope can help rejuvenate their squad.
While other clubs may still express interest in the coming weeks, Parramatta appears to be leading the race for Garner’s services heading into 2026.
