The Penrith Panthers are set to confirm the signing of two talented fullbacks for 2026 having made moves to add depth to the No.1 jersey after Daine Laurie’s exit to Canberra. Panthers fans were sad to see deputy fullback Laurie walk out the door at the end of the season having signed with the Canberra Raiders.
Penrith made the tough decision to release Laurie, along with a host of other players, as they set about a major roster overhaul for the upcoming NRL season. And it appears Ivan Cleary has already made moves to secure depth in the backline for the future having signed two versatile fullback talents.
Storm academy star Karauria Stokes-Mauahara will make the move from Melbourne to Penrith with plenty of hype surrounding the New Zealand-born talent. While the Panthers are also set to bring over Burleigh Bears fullback Kaea Cribb.
The duo will add depth to the Panthers backline after a number of players departed the club following the 2025 season. The Dragons recently announced the signing of David Fale, while a Queensland club is reportedly circling Jesse McLean.
While the Panthers do appear to have depth in the fullback role, the Dragons have signed a number of academy players from Penrith in 2025. The Western Weekender reporter Peter Lang pointed out this was a different strategy from Penrith and Cleary who have reacted because rivals have come knocking for their own talent in recent years.
“The club has lost a lot of players in the lower grades to other clubs so they’re restocking so to speak. First time they’ve recruited so many lower grade players from other clubs,” Lang wrote on social media.
Cleary and the Panthers are looking to bounce back from their preliminary final exit in 2025 with depth in the lower grades creating competition. And Panthers fans will welcome the signing of the two talented stars as they look to keep their dynasty alive.
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