The NRL regular season is winding to a close, and the spotlight is firmly fixed on several storylines — from Ivan Cleary’s bold decision to rest a near-entire squad, to Newcastle’s desperate hunt for a coach who understands the club’s DNA, to the Roosters once again caught in a storm of inconsistency and controversy.
Panthers Back Themselves Despite Odds
Mathematically, the Penrith Panthers’ hopes of a top-four finish are slim to none. Even if they were to secure victories against both the Bulldogs and the Dragons in their final two outings, their fate would still hinge on the Warriors, Broncos, and Sharks all collapsing and dropping their remaining fixtures. That sort of three-team meltdown is not something any coach would be banking on.
Instead, Penrith have made peace with their likely position — seventh or eighth — and have chosen to shift their mindset. Rather than focusing on what they cannot control, they’re intent on writing history as the first team in the NRL era to surge from outside the top four and win it all.
It is a daunting path, but not one beyond them. With a fresher, re-energised roster entering September, the Panthers are confident they can reignite. And whichever of the Warriors, Broncos, or Sharks draws Penrith in week one of the finals will not be sleeping easy, no matter the venue.
Newcastle’s Next Chapter: A Question of Identity
Meanwhile, in Newcastle, another storm is brewing — this one off the field. The Knights’ long-suffering supporters are demanding the club gets its next coaching appointment right. After parting ways with Adam O’Brien just days ago, the challenge now is to restore authenticity and avoid shortcuts.
There’s been chatter for weeks that Blake Green had emerged as the front-runner, only for Justin Holbrook to seemingly take the inside lane in recent days. What concerns many, though, is how anyone can be deemed a “standout candidate” at this point in the process. The Knights’ future hinges not on glossy presentations or the promises of high-profile managers, but on whether the next coach truly understands what it means to inject Newcastle DNA back into the side.
For a club that has seen its fair share of turbulence, the wrong move here risks another cycle of mediocrity.
The Irony of Missed Opportunities
Elsewhere, the Sydney Roosters face a test of character. Ironically, had they held their nerve in a handful of earlier contests, they would be chasing a top-four finish rather than clinging to their place in the eight. And while injuries have not helped — Sam Walker being sidelined among them — there can be no excuses in the week ahead.
The Storm will be without key personnel themselves: Harry Grant, Jahrome Hughes, Xavier Coates, and Eliesa Katoa are all missing. Yet Melbourne’s record against the Roosters remains imposing, having won seven straight since 2022. That dominance hangs heavy over Friday night’s clash.
Cleary’s Masterstroke, Not a Mistake
The most polarising discussion of the week belongs to Ivan Cleary. His decision to rest 16 players against the Bulldogs left many scratching their heads, some even criticising him for robbing fans of a marquee contest. But such short-sighted takes ignore the bigger picture.
Penrith, exhausted after heartbreaking defeats to both the Storm and Raiders in recent weeks, needed a reset. Cleary recognised that. By resting almost his entire starting lineup, he prioritised the health and mental freshness of his group over short-term optics.
It was a move rooted in foresight, not weakness. His job isn’t to deliver Thursday night entertainment but to ensure the Panthers are peaking when it matters most — finals football. And while Cleary refused to outline all the reasons for his choice, the writing was clear: player welfare comes first. For a coach chasing a fourth straight premiership, it may prove to be a masterstroke.
Roosters Under the Microscope
If the Panthers are banking on revival, the Roosters are battling damage control on two fronts — on-field inconsistency and off-field distraction. Brandon Smith’s name has been linked to an ongoing police investigation involving allegations of drug supply. While there is no suggestion Victor Radley or Smith have done anything illegal, the fact Radley was even mentioned has heightened tensions between the Roosters and arch-rivals South Sydney.
This all comes against the backdrop of chairman Nick Politis’ zero-tolerance declaration earlier in the year. His words were strong and uncompromising: “If somebody’s caught doing cocaine or leaning over snorting something, we’re going to get rid of them.” That hard line was seen as a challenge to other clubs, and it is now being thrown back in the Roosters’ face.
The Bunnies, of course, had their own scandal late last season when Latrell Mitchell was photographed near a white substance. His punishment — a one-match suspension and fine, most of which was suspended — was seen by many as lenient. The contrast between that and Politis’ bold claims ensures next week’s Roosters–Rabbitohs clash in the “Book of Feuds” will be played with even more fuel on the fire.
Robinson’s Immediate Worry
For Trent Robinson, though, the more urgent question is what version of his side will turn up this Friday against Melbourne. The Roosters have been a team of extremes — clinical and dominant one week, listless the next. Their early-season losses to bottom-four teams like the Titans and Rabbitohs still sting, highlighting their tendency to underperform in games they should win.
If they stumble again against an understrength Storm outfit, finals football could slip away entirely.
The Stage Is Set
So here we are. The Panthers have chosen rest and revival over risk, Newcastle must rediscover its soul through the right coaching call, and the Roosters are walking a fine line between potential resurgence and complete collapse. Add to that the drama of off-field headlines colliding with on-field stakes, and you have a final fortnight that promises to deliver theatre unlike any other.
The NRL couldn’t script it better.
