Act of Squad: Panthers predicted team and 2025 overview
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The Panthers go in search of more history in 2025 and with Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo and Dylan Edwards calling the shots there's no reason they can't give a fifth consecutive title one hell of a shake.
With premiership heroes Jarome Luai, James Fisher-Harris and Sunia Turuva moving on, a new breed of Panther will be ushered in, with young guns Blaize Talagi and Casey McLean set to join the starting side.
Talagi has been earmarked to take Luai's No.6 jersey but could also find a home in the outside backs while McLean's devastating Test debut for the Kiwis against the Kumuls showed he is more than ready to claim a wing spot in Ivan Cleary's champion outfit.
In the engine room, Fisher-Harris' vacancy will be filled by Lindsay Smith, who made his Test debut for the Kangaroos during the Pacific Championships and looks tailor made for a starting role after predominantly being used off the bench during 2024.
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James Graham dissects the Panthers 2025 NRL Draw
With the likes of Mavrik Geyer, Luron Patea and Preston Riki ready to step up if required, the Panthers boast the forward depth to cover for the inevitable injuries that will crop up and the loss of several stars on Origin duty.
Only seven members remain from the team that beat Souths in the 2021 decider to launch the Panthers' dynasty - Edwards, To'o, Cleary, Leota, Martin, Yeo and Sorensen - but the juggernaut has rolled on thanks to the coaching genius of Ivan Cleary and a pathways system that is second to none.
Make no mistake, this is again a top-four roster, and once the Panthers get to September they have proven to be unstoppable, so it would take a brave person to say they can't make it five in a row in 2025.
Predicted Round 1 team
1. Dylan Edwards
2. Casey McLean
3. Izack Tago
4. Paul Alamoti
5. Brian To'o
6. Blaize Talagi
7. Nathan Cleary
8. Moses Leota
9. Mitch Kenny
10. Lindsay Smith
11. Scott Sorensen
12. Liam Martin
13. Isaah Yeo
14. Brad Schneider
15. Isaiah Papali'i
16. Liam Henry
17. Luke Garner
