Leniu’s last Panthers game rushes up as Dragons trade emerges

The Penrith Panthers are all but resigned to losing front row forward Spencer Leniu ahead of their next NRL campaign, with salary cap issues leaving the grand finalists needing to cut thousands off their 2023 docket.

Leniu, who has been named to start at prop for the Panthers in their Battle of the West decider this Sunday, shapes as the most likely departure for Penrith.

The Sporting Base understands the Dragons are very interested in the forward.

The joint venture, it is understood, have chased him since 2020.

While Leniu may want to stay in black in 2023 (his current deal runs until the end of next season) there’s every chance the Panthers and Dragons can both come out of a move very happy; the Red V need a real star signing for their ageing pack and Penrith need to balance their books.

St George Illawarra are already losing Tariq Sims (Melbourne) and Josh McGuire (Warrington) for next year and may shed fading veterans like George Burgess and Aaron Woods too. Leniu would partner Blake Lawrie and Josh Kerr (2023) as well as Francis Molo, Jack De Belin, and Jaiyden Hunt (all signed to 2024) in a front row rotation under Anthony Griffin.

The Panthers would likely lift Moses Leota into the starting lineup, if they can’t negotiate their salary cap issues and re-sign Leniu beyond next season.

Leniu has played 62 games for the Panthers since 2019. He has been a vital cog in the Panthers engine room across the rise of their recent dynasty and was part of the team for their 2020 and 2021 runs to the grand final.

A victory this Sunday would mark the second time in a row Leniu has won the grand final with the Panthers and is the third decider he’s been a part of either way.

The 22-year-old international debuted for Samoa this year.

Leniu is set to represent Toa Samoa at the 2022 Rugby League World Cup after the Panthers play their grand final—win or lose—alongside teammates Jarome Luai, Brian To’o, Stephen Crichton, Izack Tago, and Taylan May.

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