The Bulldogs look to have caught a lucky break this round, with news breaking Monday that the Penrith Panthers would sit a number of their starting players for their Thursday night clash.
Officially, the decision is being put down to rest, with the reigning Premiers deciding to forgo a push at the top four and rather get their stars some much-needed rest.
But one former NRL player has questioned whether this explanation is cover for a more serious issue, claiming that star halfback Nathan Cleary could be using the rest to recover from an injury.
Why Nathan Cleary's absence against Bulldogs could be cause for concern
Nathan Cleary could be concealing an injury heading into the NRL finals, according to former player and commentator Joel Caine.
Cleary is set to be one of a number of starters who will miss their Round 26 match under the guise of rest, but Caine believes in Cleary's case he could be suffering from an injury.
"I'm gonna ask a big question here… I think he's injured," Caine said on SEN.
"I think he’s going to be a future immortal and Nathan Cleary has, in my opinion, fully fit, zero defensive issues.
"I think it's a shoulder injury or something. He's a big, strong body, he's a winner, he's a great defensive player. I am convinced this guy's injured because he's too good to be having these numbers.
"This is not a knock on Nathan Cleary. Conversely, it's pumping him up. I'm convinced this guy wants this premiership so badly, he is playing busted."
Brad Schneider looks likely to replace Cleary against the Bulldogs, as Penrith look to avoid their third straight loss, after back-to-back golden point losses against Melbourne and Canberra.