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Penrith Panthers<\/a> backrower Liam Martin<\/a> will not play in his side’s blockbuster season opener against the Brisbane Broncos<\/a> this Friday.<\/p>\n As per the Daily Telegraph, Martin has succumbed to a calf injury during the preseason, which held him out of the Panthers’ two trials in February.\u00a0<\/p>\n Martin suffered from soft tissue injuries in his hamstrings during his 2023 and 2024 campaigns.<\/p>\n Head coach Ivan Cleary<\/a> will announce his maiden 2026 line-up at 4 pm today, in which the hardened backrower is most likely set to be replaced by Luke Garner<\/a> or Isaiah Papali’i<\/a>.<\/p>\n It comes as a huge blow for the Panthers, who come up against a Broncos outfit looking to get things off to a flying start after being beaten by Hull KR<\/a> in the World Club Challenge in England<\/a> just under a fortnight ago.\u00a0<\/p>\n With the Broncos reeling from the shock loss and adjusting back into regular rhythm after a long flight back from England<\/a>, it may also come at a great time for the Panthers to strike.<\/p>\n Martin is set to be named for Round 2 when the Cronulla Sharks<\/a> visit the Panthers in Bathurst.<\/p>\n The Penrith-based club will be looking to get off to a flying start, as they missed the jump at the start of last year, losing five of their first six games.\u00a0<\/p>\n Get set for the footy with the FREE Zero Tackle 2026 NRL Season Guide!<\/a> Packed with 130+ pages of player profiles, team previews, insights and analysis, the 2026 NRL Season Guide<\/a> is built for fans who want the full picture. Download your free Season Guide HERE.<\/a><\/p>\n
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