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Penrith Panthers NRL 2025 Team Preview, Predictions & Player Movement

jeremy-darke
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Last updated: 07 Feb 2025
Jeremy Darke 07 Feb 2025
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  • Penrith Panthers predicted to finish second in the 2025 NRL season
  • Nathan Cleary's health is crucial for success and is a Dally M frontrunner.
  • New signings Isaiah Papali'i and Blaize Talagi bolster the squad for NRL 2025.
Penrith Panthers
Penrith Panthers predicted to finish second in the 2025 NRL season. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

NRL 2025 Team Previews, Predictions & Player Movement: Penrith Panthers

  • NRL 2025 Team Previews, Predictions & Player Movement: Penrith Panthers
  • Where the Penrith Panthers finish in 2025: 2
  • Projected Win total: 17 
  • Best contender for Dally M: Nathan Cleary
  • What’s to like 
  • What’s NOT to like
  • Penrith Panthers Offseason Player Movement
  • Penrith Panthers Predicted Starting 17

Where the Penrith Panthers finish in 2025: 2


A four consecutive premiership run says that Penrith will be at the top end of the ladder once again in 2025 despite losing some key stars to their opposition. How much will the departure of Jarome Luai and work horse James Fisher-Harris have on the Panthers, only time will tell. 

The Premiers projected finish is a statement of great until proven otherwise and there has to be faith in the Penrith system to overcome the losses of their stars. The recruitment of Isaiah Papali'i (Wests Tigers) & Blaize Talagi (Eels) will go a long way in filling the void so too much degression is not expected.

Projected Win total: 17 


The Pythagorean expectation model has Penrith finishing on the same amount of wins as Melbourne at 19, however, taking into consideration the hit that the Panthers starting 13 has taken, their projected win total has been adjusted down to 17.

The backbone of Penrith’s success has always been their defence, once again topping the stat sheet with just 15.4 opposition points per game and conceding just 3.8 linebreaks per game in 2024. Their ability to deter their opposition won’t change, however, their consistency and success will be determined by the health of Nathan Cleary this season and the loss of Luai has played a role in their projected wins this season. 

Best contender for Dally M: Nathan Cleary


Nathan Cleary proved once again why many people rate him as the best player in the game and that he is on a path to joining the list in the G.O.A.T conversation.

Losing Luai, Cleary is going to have to go up another level no matter who partners him in the halves if Penrith are going to compete for a fifth consecutive premiership (can’t believe that that is a realistic chance). 

A Dally M Medal still eludes Cleary, but only due to suspension or injury. If the Penrith halfback stays on the field and plays a full season, it will be hard to deny him the honour any longer.

What’s to like 


Well 4 premierships in a row is a great start. The blocks are built in Penrith and their defence will lead them to another long NRL Finals run. 

Ivan Cleary and the Penrith organisation addressed their key player departures by bringing in arguably the best young talent in the game in Blaize Talagi. Although it is not known if he will start in the No. 6 next to Cleary, the excitement around the kid and the fear it brings to the rest of the competition that he will be mentored by both Ivan and Nathan Cleary has the NRL shaking in their boots.

What’s NOT to like


There is nothing to not like about the Panthers. The formula works, they have depth and they now have a young super star that could be another game changer. 

The unknown of how the Blaize Talagi and Nathan Cleary combination will work is in the back of the mind, but it isn’t a real concern yet. 

The only trouble Penrith will face is the challenge if Nathan Cleary picks up another injury and who will lead the Premiers in the absence of Luai.

Penrith Panthers Offseason Player Movement


Ins: Isaiah Papali'i (Wests Tigers), Blaize Talagi (Eels)

Outs: Sunia Turuva (Wests Tigers), Jarome Luai (Wests Tigers), James Fisher-Harris (Warriors), Isaiah Iongi (Eels), Tyrone Peachey (retired)

Penrith Panthers Predicted Starting 17


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. Isaiah Papalii
12. Liam Martin
13. Isaah Yeo

14. Jack Cole
15. Scott Sorensen
16. Liam Henry
17. Luke Garner

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