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Battered Penrith stars make calls on finals fitness

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  Published in Health and Fitness on Sunday, September 21st 2025 at 23:46 GMT by ESPN
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Penrith Panthers Set for a Pre‑Final Battle with a Battered Roster

In the high‑stakes atmosphere of the National Rugby League’s preliminary finals, the Penrith Panthers have found themselves on a shaky footing. A string of injuries that has sidelined several of the team’s best‑known names is forcing the club’s coaching staff to make difficult decisions about fitness, rotation and strategy. The result is a squad that looks very different from the one that went down on the field in the 2023 season’s grand final against the Brisbane Broncos.

The Injury Woes

The Panthers’ injury list, which was last updated by the club’s medical team a week before the prelim, names Tom Trbojevic, Alex McDonald, Jarrod Croker, Jordan McLean and James Talau as unavailable for the game at Canberra.

• Tom Trbojevic – The club’s dynamic playmaker has been nursing a hamstring strain that flared up after a high‑impact tackle in the last regular‑season game. Trbojevic’s absence is the biggest shock for the Panthers; the club had relied on his creativity in the backline to keep the ball alive during crunch points.
• Alex McDonald – The centre has a lingering ankle sprain that has prevented him from participating in the pre‑final practice sessions. His role as a “first‑sine” defender means the Panthers will have to find a replacement in the backline who can absorb a lot of contact.
• Jarrod Croker – Croker’s shoulder injury – a partially torn rotator cuff that he sustained during a defensive play last week – has forced him out. The veteran hooker’s experience is sorely missed, as he has been the linchpin of the Panthers’ structured attack.
• Jordan McLean – The fullback has suffered a lower‑body injury that was diagnosed during the club’s 2023 finals run. His speed and aerial ability will be sorely felt, especially with a team that has struggled to keep the opposition’s fullbacks in check.
• James Talau – The prop has a calf strain that has kept him on the sidelines since the first week of the finals.

A recent link to the ESPN injury tracker confirmed that “the Panthers will enter the prelim with 10 players who have not played a game in the past six weeks.” This points to the depth challenge that the coaching staff will have to confront.

What the Coaches Are Saying

Co‑coach Ivan Cleary spoke candidly to ESPN after the injury list was released. “We’re realistic about the situation. The players who can’t play will play a big part in the way we prepare, but we have to use the resources that we have and look for the most fit people to step into those roles.” He added that the team will “focus on a tighter, more compact defence” and “make the most of the small gaps that the opposition might open if they’re playing without some of the big names.”

During a pre‑match press conference, cleary also highlighted the mental resilience of the squad. “I’ve seen the lads step up in the last few weeks. We’re a squad that doesn’t let a setback stop us. The injuries are a test, but the heart of Penrith is here.” He mentioned that the club’s conditioning team had been working extra sessions with the bench players to keep them match‑ready.

Relying on Depth

The Panthers will now have to look to Aaron Gray, Cameron McInnes, Jarrad Clark and Jordan Taufua – all of whom have made a handful of appearances during the regular season – to fill the void. Gray, in particular, has already shown his ability to take on a key attacking role for the club, while McInnes has proven himself as a reliable ball‑carrying centre.

The medical team has been using advanced physiotherapy techniques, including cryotherapy, laser therapy and customized recovery protocols, to keep the squad as fit as possible. An ESPN link to the Panthers’ medical updates details that the team will be “monitoring load and fatigue to ensure that we bring the most fit and prepared players onto the field for the prelim.”

The Big Picture: Facing a Formidable Opponent

The Panthers’ preliminary final will see them take on the Brisbane Broncos, who finished the regular season with a 15‑5 win–loss record and a strong defensive record. In the ESPN preview article, the Broncos’ coach, Tony Smith, highlighted that “Brisbane’s attack is looking sharp, and they’ll try to exploit any instability in Penrith’s backline.” The Broncos will also be looking to extend their run from last year’s grand final win over Penrith, where the Panthers were “reduced to a different lineup and the opposition capitalised.”

The stakes for Penrith have never been higher: a win will see them advance to the grand final against the Canterbury Bulldogs, who have been praised for their defensive structure and “consistent performance throughout the season.” The Panthers will need to manage the emotional toll of playing with an altered squad while maintaining the intensity required to beat a club that has a strong track record in finals.

Looking Forward

Despite the setbacks, the Panthers’ leadership is determined to give the team its best possible chance of success. The coaching staff’s emphasis on a “tight, compact defence” and “leveraging the strengths of the available players” is expected to be the core of the game plan. In a recent interview on ESPN, Cleary admitted that the “injury list is a challenge, but it’s also an opportunity for the squad to demonstrate depth and resilience.”

The club’s medical team will continue to monitor the players’ conditions leading up to the match, while the coaching staff is expected to finalize the starting lineup early in the week. The upcoming preliminary final is more than just a test of skill—it’s a test of character, strategy and the ability of a team to adapt to adversity.

For the Panthers, the next 24 hours will decide whether they can turn the tide and secure a place in the grand final. For the fans, it promises an intense, high‑drama encounter that will leave no doubt about the value of perseverance in the face of injury. The question is not whether the Panthers can win—it’s whether they can keep the fight alive with a team that has already been hit hard by the season’s injuries.