As reported in the Newcastle Herald, Knights halfback Jack Cogger will depart the club at season’s end, signing a three-year deal to return to the Penrith Panthers from 2026.
Cogger debuted for the Knights in 2016, playing three seasons before moving to the Canterbury Bulldogs.
He later joined Penrith after his Bulldogs stint, featuring in 13 games during the 2023 season before heading back to Newcastle. Across the past two seasons, Cogger has played 36 games for the Knights.
When he first arrived, the signing was hailed as the halfback the Knights had long been searching for, bringing a winning system and style that was expected to complement Kalyn Ponga and lift the club back into finals contention.
MORE: Robinson slams Roosters being 'wrongly attached' to Brandon Smith drama
Unfortunately for the Knights and for the 28-year-old playmaker, his stint did not go entirely to plan, though his first year in Newcastle did see them finish in 8th place and play finals football.
While he produced solid performances and featured in the 2024 finals series, Cogger now leaves after just two seasons.
At 28 years old, he has significant NRL experience yet remains in his prime playing years, making him a valuable addition for the Panthers.
For Newcastle, his exit comes as Dylan Brown prepares to join the club in 2026, along with the looming recruitment of Roosters five-eighth Sandon Smith, who is reportedly close to signing.
With the competition in Newcastle for the six and seven jerseys, it is easy to see why Cogger was the odd man out.
At Penrith, Cogger will likely resume the role of depth option in the halves, where he previously contributed to the Panthers’ 2023 premiership campaign.
Coach Ivan Cleary has spoken glowingly of Cogger in the past, and a three-year deal underlines how highly the club rates his services at the foot of the mountains.
The contract also secures Cogger’s NRL future in what could be his final Australian deal, while the Panthers continue their philosophy of recruiting reliable role-playing depth to sustain their premiership machine.