Enforcer's vow to 'make it personal' with ex-teammates

Stand by for fireworks up front when the Roosters take on the Panthers in Friday night's big finals opener. That's the word from my spy in the Roosters camp, who has told me that the volatile Spencer Leniu wants to make it VERY personal when he faces up to Penrith big boppers Moses Leota and James Fisher-Harris. Leniu spent the last five years at Penrith learning his craft under the Panthers powerhouse duo before moving to the Roosters this season. And now the 24-year-old Blues Origin forward wants to show who is the new boss of the engine room. "Spencer is all fired up going back to Penrith to take on his former mates," the source said. "He is going to get in their faces and make it personal - it's going to be very physical... that's how he likes it. "He is going to take the challenge to them." The Roosters are also privately worried about the fitness of star centre Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, who took a heavy shot to the neck late in last weekend's win over Souths. Suaalii was rushed straight to the sheds after the hit and has been undergoing intensive physiotherapy. But with the game starting the finals on Friday night, he only has a relatively short turnaround to get himself right.

'Nearly impossible' task after title team decimated

Stephen Crichton, Matt Burton, Api Koroisau, Kurt Capewell, Viliame Kikau, Tyrone May, Spencer Leniu, Brent Naden and Paul Momirovski … that's nine members of the 2021 grand final team that began the Panthers dynasty who have now moved on.Throw in the likes of Daine Laurie, Josh Mansour, Charlie Staines, Jack Cogger, James Tamou, J'maine Hopgood, Sean O'Sullivan, Zane Tetavano, Jaeman Salmon, Tom Jenkins, Jack Hetherington and Robert Jennings who have also been poached by rival clubs and it's remarkable that the Panthers have managed to keep winning, becoming the first team to produce a premiership three-peat in four decades.You win one comp and the salary cap makes it tough to go back-to-back as players want more money - and some move elsewhere.Win two and it's tougher - win three and it's nearly impossible - yet the Panthers have such a great system they will still start the new year as title favourites.The departure of Crichton and Leniu - two men at the heart and soul of the Panthers machine - will hit hard in 2024.The team has only signed three 'back-up' players who add depth but little else, although the livewire Daine Lauire could be a surprise packet in his second coming at the Panthers.The numbers were immaculate as the Panthers swept away the competition to make it three straight titles this season.They had the league's most tackle breaks, best completion rate, most kick metres, most forced dropouts, most kick return metres, conceded least points and least tries and had most try assists.But having their strength and depth sapped year by year as they continue winning, it is getting that little bit tough each time to keep the dream alive.

Leniu becomes latest Panther to tell club he's leaving

Spencer Leniu has become the latest premiership player to tell Penrith they have been lured elsewhere, with the Samoan prop set to join the Sydney Roosters from next year.Leniu informed the Panthers on Monday morning this NRL season would be his last at the club, after making his debut as a hard-running forward in 2019.The bad-luck story of their 2020 grand final appearance when sidelined by illness, Leniu came off the bench in both the 2021 and 2022 title wins.Leniu will see out the season with Penrith, but is expected to sign with the Roosters in the coming days after initially also attracting interest from Canterbury.The front-rower's signature is the second big fish signed by the Tri-colours from a rival club this month, after also locking in Newcastle flyer Dom Young last week.At Penrith, the costs of their premiership success are starting to show.Of the 27 players who ran out for the club in the first year of their dominance in 2020, a maximum of eight will begin next season at the Panthers.Leniu's impending exit comes after Stephen Crichton gave Penrith management similar news last month.The Panthers have a dominant junior system and last year won reserve grade and under-21s.But they face a tough task replacing the likes of Apisai Koroisau and Viliame Kikau in NRL this year, and others going forward as the player drain continues."Although it's disappointing to see a Panthers junior sign with another NRL club, we understand Spencer is a premiership winner and international player, who has received external interest," Panthers Rugby League CEO Matt Cameron said.

Panthers to Lose Grand Final Star

The Panthers realise they can't hang onto their entire powerhouse squad for 2023 and one man they may reluctantly cut loose is in-form forward Spencer Leniu.The Dragons, who have lost several experienced forwards including Josh McGuire and Tariq Sims for next season, are leading the hunt for Leniu.The 22-year-old Kiwi has been a big improver throughout 2022 and has the ability to make the hard yards and bend the defensive line back.Several other club have expressed interest in Leniu but at this early stage, the Dragons appear the best fit for the Samoan international.