Reporter Brent Read has declared the Panthers won\u2019t win a fifth straight premiership, believing their decision to rest 16 players in their loss to the Bulldogs was merely a \u201cHail Mary\u201d.<\/p>\n
The Panthers sit in seventh spot on the ladder on 31 competition points, three behind the Broncos, Sharks and Warriors who are all on 34 points.<\/p>\n
It means the Panthers can\u2019t finish any higher than seventh and will have to win three straight finals games away from home in order to reach what would be their sixth straight grand final.<\/p>\n
FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer ><\/a><\/p>\n \u201cPenrith cannot win it,\u201d Read said on NRL 360 on Monday night.<\/p>\n \u201cThey rested 16 players but to me that\u2019s just a Hail Mary.<\/p>\n \u201cThey know they\u2019re on life support.\u201d<\/p>\n But veteran journalist Phil Rothfield had a different view, and felt the Panthers would be dangerous now that they have fresh legs.<\/p>\n \u201cThe thing you\u2019re forgetting Ready is, whether you like it or not, Ivan has freshened them up,\u201d Rothfield said.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019ve got to go bang, bang, bang, bang and win four straight to win the title.\u201d<\/p>\n ‘Narks’ call out Raiders for “soft draw” | 01:36<\/p>\n Read believes it\u2019s a task that\u2019s in the too hard basket, even for a club that\u2019s won four straight premierships.<\/p>\n \u201cI think it\u2019s beyond them,\u201d Read added.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t think they can do it.<\/p>\n \u201cNot four at that time of the year, in that competition, all on the road.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, they cannot win it.\u201d<\/p>\n Read has also written off the third placed Bulldogs, who guaranteed themselves of a top four finish with their win over the Panthers.<\/p>\n MORE NRL NEWS<\/p>\n CRAWLS: Ciraldo\u2019s awkward dilemma after legend\u2019s No.9 call; Teddy\u2019s Dally M threat<\/a><\/p>\n TEAM TIPS: Ivan\u2019s cryptic reply as resting furore set to reignite; Ciraldo\u2019s Dogs hint<\/a><\/p>\n