PANTHERS AT RISK FROM POACHING RAIDS

PENRITH has a fight on its hands to keep the remaining members of its premiership team together and fullback Dylan Edwards admits it’s possible that some of the side’s brightest stars could be poached by rivals.

The Dolphins are circling Stephen Crichton with an offer to play fullback on big money from 2024, while fellow premiership players Brian

To’o, Liam Martin, Scott Sorensen and Spencer Leniu are also without contracts beyond 2023, as is exciting young centre Izack Tago.

Edwards, contracted through to 2024, says in a perfect world he would keep playing footy with his mates at the foot of the mountains, but understands that salary cap pressure could force some of them to move on.

“The boys have got a great connection to this area, so we’d love everyone to stay, but that’s just not the reality we live in and it’s not the business we work in,” he said.

“Obviously, it’d be nice if everyone could stay, but they’ve got to do what’s best for them. Hopefully, that’s to stay at the Panthers longterm, but we’ll just have to wait and see.”

The Panthers meet the Melbourne Storm in a clash of premiership heavyweights on Saturday night.