In a surprise announcement that has caught Panthers fans off…

UNEXPECTED ANNOUNCEMENT: Penrith Panthers Key Forward Tom Ale To Depart At End Of 2028 Season

 

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA –  In a surprise announcement that has caught Panthers fans off guard, promising prop Tom Ale has confirmed he will be leaving the Penrith Panthers at the conclusion of the 2028 NRL season. The powerful front-rower, who joined the club ahead of the 2026 campaign, has emerged as one of the standout performers in the NSW Cup, establishing himself as a cornerstone of the Panthers’ reserve-grade forward pack and a highly-rated prospect for the top side.

 

Since making the move to the foot of the mountains, Ale has been a consistent force, racking up 18 appearances and 5 tries in the NSW Cup across the 2026 season. His strong ball-running, tireless work-rate and aggressive defence have made him a fan favourite at that level, while his consistent performances have kept him firmly in the selection conversation for an NRL debut. His decision to publicly confirm his departure plans more than two years out from the end of his contract has raised eyebrows across the league.

 

“After careful consideration and discussions with my family and management, I have decided that I will be moving on from the Penrith Panthers when my contract concludes at the end of the 2028 season,” Ale said in a statement. “This has not been an easy decision. Penrith is a special club — the culture, the standards, the supporters — everything here is first class. I have loved every minute of my time in blue and black, and I will continue to give 100% in every training session and every match until the very last game of my contract.”

 

Ale clarified that there is no bad blood between himself and the club, and that he simply felt the time was right to explore a new chapter in his career. “I’m 26 now, and I want to make sure I’m in the best possible environment to push for a regular NRL starting spot. I have huge respect for the club, the coaching staff and my teammates — I just believe that for the next stage of my journey, a fresh challenge will be the right move for me.”

 

The Panthers confirmed they had been informed of Ale’s decision and would respect his choice. “Tom has been a valued member of our NSW Cup squad and has contributed strongly since joining us,” a club spokesperson said. “We will continue to support him fully over the next two seasons, and we wish him well in his future endeavours.”

 

The announcement is expected to spark immediate interest from rival clubs, with the powerful ball-playing prop already attracting attention from several NRL sides. For now, however, Ale remains fully focused on the season ahead — and giving the Panthers faithful every reason to remember him fondly before he departs.