Penrith will field a radically different side for Thursday night’s clash against the Bulldogs, with Ivan Cleary resting 16 senior players just a fortnight out from the finals.
The mass rotation opens the door for a wave of debutants and fringe players to stake their claim.
John Fonua, David Fale, Zac Lipowicz and Billy Phillips will all make their NRL debuts, while Austin Dias and Riley Price have been handed first outings in Panthers colours.
Club veteran Matt Eisenhuth, crowned 2024 Club Person of the Year, will captain the side, with Brad Schneider running the show at halfback.
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Alongside the new faces, youngsters Jesse McLean, Jack Cole and Mavrik Geyer will feature prominently in a line-up designed to give Penrith’s top stars a breather before September. The Bulldogs, sitting third on the ladder, now face a Panthers team ranked seventh but stripped of almost all its established names.
Adding a further twist, Penrith will also debut their 2025 home jersey on Thursday night under the lights of Accor Stadium. Kick-off is set for 7:50 pm local time.
While Cleary’s decision may frustrate some, the opportunity for fresh talent to shine ensures the contest carries intrigue. For the Panthers, the gamble is clear: keep the squad fit and firing for the finals, even if it means fielding one of the most inexperienced sides in recent memory.