In less than 72 hours, the Panthers agreed to release the best prop in the NRL. Here’s why

State of Origin prop Stefano Utoikamanu sits atop a Penrith hit list to replace James Fisher-Harris after the three-time premiership winner was granted a stunning release to join the Warriors next year.

Utoikamanu – who will be a free agent later this year if he doesn’t play two State of Origin matches for NSW in 2024, or the Tigers don’t make the finals – has emerged as a candidate to fill the enormous void left by Fisher-Harris.

The Tigers prop, 23, has the unusual clause in his deal, which will allow him to test the market at the end of the season if one of the triggers is not met.

According to sources speaking on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to publicly discuss the situation, the Panthers have already flagged an interest in Utoikamanu, one of the most promising forwards in the game.

Utoikamanu’s appeal is twofold: he would be an immediate replacement for Fisher-Harris in 2025 amid a paucity of available talent; and he’s a western Sydney product who would appear to be a seamless fit for Ivan Cleary’s set-up.

The Fisher-Harris bombshell will free up close to $1 million in Penrith’s salary cap for the next two years.

It capped a whirlwind 72 hours from when Fisher-Harris told Cleary of his intent to return home to New Zealand over breakfast on Sunday morning, to the Warriors announcing the Kiwi international’s signing.

It came just six months after the Warriors agreed to release Addin Fonua-Blake to return to Sydney on compassionate grounds.

And how differently it could have played out.

At the end of October last year, a few days before it became public knowledge that Fonua-Blake wanted to return to Australia, Warriors coach Andrew Webster phoned his old mates at Penrith, where he was previously an assistant to Cleary.

Panthers prop James Fisher-Harris.

He wanted to know if there was any chance the club would consider releasing Fisher-Harris.

Penrith, unaware of the full context of a question Webster undoubtedly knew the answer to, laughed him off the phone.

A few days later, the Panthers realised why Webster was making inquiries when news of Fonua-Blake’s release request made it to the press.

At the time, the Panthers had no idea Fisher-Harris would approach them about heading home to New Zealand, otherwise Fonua-Blake would have been in a Panthers jersey next year instead of a Sharks jumper.

On Sunday morning, Fisher-Harris called a meeting with Cleary to seek his blessing for a return to New Zealand. He did so before informing his management, such was the respect for the club and its leaders.

Penrith’s initial reaction was one of shock. They had agreed to let Spencer Leniu join the Sydney Roosters 12 months ago and had passed up opportunities to sign the likes of Fonua-Blake, Terrell May and never entered the hunt for an unsettled Payne Haas last year.

Given the standing of Fisher-Harris, who returned to New Zealand recently for the funeral of his grandfather, the Panthers were never going to stand in his way. He broke the news to teammates on Tuesday night, and by lunchtime the next day it was official.

While they have become accustomed to losing at least two grand final stars each year – from Matt Burton and Kurt Capewell to Viliame Kikau and Api Koroisau plus Stephen Crichton and Leniu – all those moves were expected, to an extent, as big-money offers rolled in from elsewhere.

Fisher-Harris’ exit was one they didn’t budget for.

“He loves the culture and it’s where he comes from,” Panthers Group chief executive Brian Fletcher said of Fisher-Harris’ New Zealand return.

“There was no way in the world we were going to stand in his way because he’s been such an asset to the place. He’s well respected by everybody and there was absolutely no dissent when he asked to go home.”

Panthers coach Cleary said: “The leadership and cultural impact he has displayed since coming into first grade has been outstanding. He’s evolved into one of the game’s elite players, and coaching him has been a pleasure.”

In the end, the Warriors have had one of the best players in the game land in their lap at a time when no one expected it.

“It surprised me too when I heard he wanted to come to the Warriors, but I couldn’t think of a better player to join our club,” Warriors owner Mark Robinson said.

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