Moses Leota will be the next $1 million forward in the NRL, with the Perth Bears currently leading a six-horse race for the Panthers champion as he explores his contract options.
Penrith gave the 30-year-old permission to speak to rival NRL clubs earlier than the November 1 deadline. He hits free agency at the end of the season, and is off contract with the Panthers after 2027.
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While the Panthers do want to keep their superstar prop, they’re also understanding that he wants a big-money deal.
They gave him a two week grace period to sound out other options. That deadline expires today, and Leota’s management will now tell the club what they plan to do next — formally head to the open market.
The main reason Leota has taken that option is, quite simply, cash. He’s already earning $750,000 a season, but will command a $1M price tag.
“The Panthers kindly gave us permission to search the market and it’s come back that there’s half-a-dozen clubs [interested],” Orr said. “They are prepared to wait until November, which they have to under the rules. I will be emailing the Panthers saying thanks for your patience.”
Orr said that “Moses has now got the information he needs to make an informed decision… With the increase of the salary cap under the new TV deal, Moses’ value could certainly reach the $1 million mark.”
“Penrith said to me from the start, ‘Don’t ask for an early release because we won’t allow that.’ But now we know where we stand,” he added.
The Sporting Base understands first cab off the rank when bidding begins will be the Perth Bears. The expansion team is eager to add genuine star power to its already filled out roster, and Leota is a perfect pack leader.
Adding to that, the Bears may be one of the only clubs that can pay the 30-year-old the seven-figure deal he’s after, considering they have to meet the salary cap minimum in their early years.
The only sticking point will be that the Bears want him for 2027.
Perth will, the Base understands, ask the Panthers for an early release, but it sounds like that’s unlikely, at least at this early stage.
Others interested in the champion prop include the Sydney Roosters and Redcliffe Dolphins, both of which have to restock their packs. The Dolphins especially should have a good chance, considering they have the money they were paying the now medically-retired Daniel Saifiti.
The Canberra Raiders, Wests Tigers, and Canterbury Bulldogs have also been named as teams that reached out to speak to Leota’s management, while the Panthers are still eager to re-sign the 30-year-old.
It’s doubtful all make formal offers, of course, but they’re in the mix.
Parramatta were also in the race at some stage, but pulled out quite early on.
“Moses is right up there with the best value props in the game. He has won four grand finals and could have won the Clive Churchill Medal in two grand finals,” Orr said on Leota’s value.
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“Ideally, Penrith would like to get him done first… they have quite a few players off contract so they would like to keep Moses for the rest of his career.
“I think he will wait until November 1 when we have clarity on the salary cap for 2028 following this new TV rights deal.
“But if the Panthers offer him the right deal, then he will stay where he is.”
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