Panthers back-rower forward set to hit NRL open market on November 1 with the Perth Bears keen to sign him

Smith is one of a number of Penrith premiership winners set to become free agents on November 1. Veteran back-rower Scott Sorensen is in the sights of the Perth Bears, and will likely get a better offer than what Penrith can afford.

Luke Garner is drawing interest from the Dragons and Sea Eagles, while youngsters Liam Henry, Jack Cole and Thomas Jenkins are also without a deal past 2026. The Panthers cut 13 players from their squad at the end of the 2025 season, bidding farewell to fringe first-graders Daine Laurie, Soni Luke, Luke Sommerton, Brad Schneider, Mavrik Geyer, Zac Lipowicz, Asu Kepaoa, John Sagaga, Zack Lamont, Austin Dias, Riley Price, Harry Hassett and Preston Riki.

Laurie is heading to Canberra, while Schneider has joined the Dolphins, Geyer the Tigers, Kepaoa the Knights and Riki the Broncos. The Panthers recently confirmed that Jack Cogger is coming back from Newcastle in 2026, and will likely fill the bench utility role that Schneider filled this season. Cogger helped Penrith win the 2023 grand final when he came onto the field to replace the injured Jarome Luai.