As part of a series profiling the expected Round 1 sides for all 17 NRL clubs in 2025, the Panthers have again been forced to farewell established stars but they still find a way to keep winning.
The Panthers have undergone a considerable amount of change in the off-season as they attempt to become the first team in nearly 60 years to win five straight premierships.
The loss of Jarome Luai and Sunia Turuva to the Wests Tigers, coupled with James Fisher-Harris relocating to the Warriors, add up to a massive body blow to Ivan Cleary’s team.
However, he has been able to replace them with Parramatta young gun Blaize Talagi and Kiwi forward Isaiah Papali’i.
And they are still premiership favourites so anyone expecting the Panthers to drop off dramatically are in for a rude shock.
The Penrith production line of young talent will continue to deliver top prospects, with Casey and Jesse McLean likely to see much more first grade out wide this season, and the likes of Jack Cole, Liam Henry, Soni Luke and Mavrik Guyer also set the step up.
Nathan Cleary is set to be right for round 1 after off-season shoulder surgery and whenever he is on the park, Penrith are the competition benchmark.
Who’s new?
The Panthers identified Papali’i as a veteran presence who can offset the massive blow of losing Fisher-Harris.
Papali’i will likely line up in the second row with Scott Sorensen on the bench although both players are capable of switching into the middle forward rotation.
Talagi was electric for the Eels in his rookie season, even though he was for the most part playing out of position on the wing.
His preferred position is fullback, but with Dylan Edwards having a mortgage on the No.1 jersey at Penrith, he has been offered the chance to make a name for himself at five-eighth and he can have no better halves partner than Nathan Cleary as he learns the tricks of the trade.
Who’s gone?
Luai is coming off a career-best season and his departure after he and Cleary have spent their entire career together will mean there is an adjustment period for Penrith.
Fisher-Harris has been the team’s forward leader during their four-year dynasty and there’s no doubt that his absence makes their pack that little less formidable.
Young fullback Isaiah Iongi has left to try to nail down Parramatta’s starting spot that Talagi turned his back on, while Turuva was given a lucrative upgrade to join the Tigers and veteran utility Tyrone Peachey has retired.
Key spots to unlock
Tuurva’s right wing spot outside Izack Tago is vacant and Jesse or Casey McLean are locked in a brotherly battle for that spot.
Five-eighth is all but certain to go to Talagi, but Cole has been given a few chances there in the past couple of years and could end up there if the Eels recruit does not suit the playmaking role.
Lindsay Smith, who made his Test debut for the Kangaroos in the Pacific Championships final, will be elevated to the starting line-up at prop for Fisher-Harris.
Papali’i joining the pack means Sorensen and Luke Garner will be more than handy back-up options off the bench.
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Round 1 Predicted Teams: Panthers – Three key personnel changes usher in new era as premiers chase five in a row
The Roar
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As part of a series profiling the expected Round 1 sides for all 17 NRL clubs in 2025, the Panthers have again been forced to farewell established stars but they still find a way to keep winning.
The Panthers have undergone a considerable amount of change in the off-season as they attempt to become the first team in nearly 60 years to win five straight premierships.
The loss of Jarome Luai and Sunia Turuva to the Wests Tigers, coupled with James Fisher-Harris relocating to the Warriors, add up to a massive body blow to Ivan Cleary’s team.
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However, he has been able to replace them with Parramatta young gun Blaize Talagi and Kiwi forward Isaiah Papali’i.
And they are still premiership favourites so anyone expecting the Panthers to drop off dramatically are in for a rude shock.
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The Penrith production line of young talent will continue to deliver top prospects, with Casey and Jesse McLean likely to see much more first grade out wide this season, and the likes of Jack Cole, Liam Henry, Soni Luke and Mavrik Guyer also set the step up.
Nathan Cleary is set to be right for round 1 after off-season shoulder surgery and whenever he is on the park, Penrith are the competition benchmark.
Who’s new?
The Panthers identified Papali’i as a veteran presence who can offset the massive blow of losing Fisher-Harris.
Papali’i will likely line up in the second row with Scott Sorensen on the bench although both players are capable of switching into the middle forward rotation.
Talagi was electric for the Eels in his rookie season, even though he was for the most part playing out of position on the wing.
His preferred position is fullback, but with Dylan Edwards having a mortgage on the No.1 jersey at Penrith, he has been offered the chance to make a name for himself at five-eighth and he can have no better halves partner than Nathan Cleary as he learns the tricks of the trade.
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – SEPTEMBER 28: Nathan Cleary of the Panthers runs the ball during the NRL Preliminary Final match between the Penrith Panthers and the Cronulla Sharks at Accor Stadium on September 28, 2024 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
Nathan Cleary. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
Who’s gone?
Luai is coming off a career-best season and his departure after he and Cleary have spent their entire career together will mean there is an adjustment period for Penrith.
Fisher-Harris has been the team’s forward leader during their four-year dynasty and there’s no doubt that his absence makes their pack that little less formidable.
Young fullback Isaiah Iongi has left to try to nail down Parramatta’s starting spot that Talagi turned his back on, while Turuva was given a lucrative upgrade to join the Tigers and veteran utility Tyrone Peachey has retired.
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Key spots to unlock
Tuurva’s right wing spot outside Izack Tago is vacant and Jesse or Casey McLean are locked in a brotherly battle for that spot.
Five-eighth is all but certain to go to Talagi, but Cole has been given a few chances there in the past couple of years and could end up there if the Eels recruit does not suit the playmaking role.
Lindsay Smith, who made his Test debut for the Kangaroos in the Pacific Championships final, will be elevated to the starting line-up at prop for Fisher-Harris.
Papali’i joining the pack means Sorensen and Luke Garner will be more than handy back-up options off the bench.
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Round 1 predicted team
1 Dylan Edwards
2 Brian To’o
3 Izack Tago
4 Paul Alamoti
5 Casey McLean
6 Blaize Talagi
7 Nathan Cleary
8 Lindsay Smith
9 Mitch Kenny
10 Moses Leota
11 Isaiah Papali’i
12 Liam Martin
13 Isaah Yeo
Interchange
14 Jack Cole
15 Luke Garner
16 Liam Henry
17 Scott Sorensen
Other squad members: Luke Sommerton, Jesse McLean, Daine Laurie, Asu Kepaoa, Brad Schneider, Harrison Hassett, Luron Patea, Matt Eisenhuth, Preston Riki, Soni Luke, Mavrik Geyer.
