2025 team makeup

Penrith Panthers NRL
1

Like most of you, even since the grand final I have given thought to our team makeup for next year.

For me replacing Turuva is pretty simple with just two variations;

Jessie McLean to wing
Or Casey McLean to centre and Allomotti to wing.

Replacing Fish seems straightforward again for me with Smith starting. The question is who goes onto the bench?

Five-eighth is the harder one, with choices of Cole, Luke, Schneider, Laurie, Talagi and Toelau

As much as he plays with a lot of heart, I don’t see Laurie as a full time first grader.

For mine Cole has what it takes, is great with hi defense, just a little small in stature. Schneider played well outside of Cleary I their one game together, lacks a bit in attack. Luke was a half in junior footy, actually preferred at half over Cleary untill Flegg. Hasn’t really kicked on unlike his peers.

Blaze will be a work in progress, talent for sure but how he fits into our system Is unknown. Will need a fair bit of NSW cup before coming into firsts I think.

Trent is a dark horse. A natural half who didn’t disappoint as a 14 backup hooker excepting one game late in the season.

I think Cole will get first go.

Your thoughts?

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2

Interesting post, SHF.

Obviously the pre-season will determine who gets first go at the gig, but I think Talagi has the inside running, if only because his interviews suggest he signed in order to play outside Nathan Cleary. I doubt he’d have made those remarks if he hadn’t been led to believe that the club was thinking the same way.

I like Schneider but, like you, I think he needs a lot of work in attack. But with another pre-season and a year under his belt, he may blossom.

Cole had a frustrating year. Hope he can stay injury free and show his best.

I doubt Luke is a contender.

I’m a Toelau fan, I think he showed a lot of promise, and good vision & ability to read a game. Whether he’s seen as a replacement for Luai, or is ready yet, is another story. But I hope he gets a lot more game time this year, I much prefer him over Laurie.

So, Talagi is the front runner for my money - at this stage. But who knows what will happen in the pre-season? Form, injuries, off-field incidents etc etc can all come into play.

Finally, I don’t really care who gets the gig, provided they’re the best one for the team.

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The other problem is that Cleary has shown himself to be a bit injury prone the last few years. So, it’s entirely possible that, for an extended period next year, we’ll have a very inexperienced halves pairing - no Luai to take over as half.

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I think it will come down to Talagi & Cole.

Schneider will probably get a few runs through the year during SOO or if we have injuries.

Toelau & Laurie will probably be battling for the #14 jersey.

Luke will only get a run if we have massive injury problems.

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5

What about Cleary to 6? This will allow either of the above nominations to get time at 7 to see who can actually run the game plans.

For mine, it will be Talagi, but I would love to see him start the season at 7 and run the team for a few games at least. This will do a number of things to improve his game. 1. Know the game plan back to front as the driver 2. provide him with a team first mentality rather than showcasing his own skillset. 3. Once committed allow him to pick and choose moments when he can own the game.

This would be a great learning curve for such a talent, then he goes back to 6 and becomes the future game breaker we know he has the ability to be.

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I feel that next year Laurie and Toelau need to be in the side. I feel that the Mcleans are a bit green and a still about a year.

I would think that Laurie to the wing and Toelau as a Utility.

My extended 2025 squad for Round One would be… (changes from 2024 in green)

==TEAM==
  1. Dylan Edwards
+ 2. Dane Laurie
  3. Isack Tago
  4. Paul Alamoti
  5. Brian To'o
+ 6. Blaize Talagi
  7. Nathan Cleary
  8. Moses Leota
  9. Mitch Kenny
+ 10. Scott Sorensen
  11. Liam Martin
+ 12. Isaiah Papali’i
  13. Isaah Yeo
==INTERGHNGE==
+ 14. Trent Toleau
15. Lindsay Smith
16. Liam Henry
17. Luke Garner
==RESERVES==
18. Mavrik Geyer
19. Matthew Eisenhuth
20. Jack Cole
21. Casey McLean
22. Brad Schneider
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I don’t think Laurie’s a winger, nor do I think Sorensen is the best choice to replace JFH at prop, but who knows? If they both get a proper pre-season under their belts, it could work.

I’m wondering whether Papali’i can slot in as prop. Smith filled in when JFH was injured thisb year, and did a good job, but week in/week out is another thing.

I suspect it might be case of rotation, sharing the load around between Smith, Henry & whoever else a few weeks at a time. Luron Patea might put his hand up.

Asu Kepaoa might also be considered for a wing/centre spot. The club obviously thought enough of him to lure him from the Tigers mid-season. He’s a big body and, again, with a solid pre-season, might be one to watch.

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8

Bunty Afoa is apparently been shopped around by the Warriors would be a nice add to the forwards. He has a year to run in his contract at the Warriors. Considering we have released JFH to the Warriors, maybe taking on some of the cap space for the year would make him some good value.

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Afoa is only 28, so he’s coming into his prime. He’d certainly be worth a look, but could we fit him under the cap? Most of JFH’s money went on Papali’i, and I’m sure Alamoti got a - well deserved - upgrade.

Interesting idea, though.