![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/poster-fallback.png\"\/)
<\/p>\nA pair of legends have floated two big solutions for the Panthers after losing a key star until at least the start of the finals series.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, a shock role has been floated for Latrell Mitchell while the Dogs\u2019 halves revolution has been put under the microscope.<\/p>\n
Read below for the biggest talking points ahead of all the NRL\u2019s Round 24 action!<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Watch every game of every round of the Premiership Season LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1<\/a>.<\/p>\n HOW PANTHERS CAN FILL YEO HOLE<\/p>\n How do the Panthers fill their gaping Isaah Yeo hole?<\/p>\n Ivan Cleary\u2019s side were handed a hammer blow when their star lock grabbed at his arm during a tackle in Penrith\u2019s loss to the Warriors.<\/p>\n Initial fears were he\u2019d suffered a season-ending injury, but it was later confirmed he would not require surgery and could return in four to six weeks.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a risky return window, according to Cooper Cronk \u2014 who still believes the Panthers have what it takes to win the premiership without the Kangaroos skipper.<\/p>\n \u201cWithout him, they can still win. Four to six for a pec… for a position that he plays in, it\u2019s going to be dodgy whether it gets back to full strength,\u201d Cronk said on the Matty and Cronk podcast.<\/p>\n \u201cBut you know what, have a throw at the stumps. Have a crack, he is professional and he just might be able to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n But the question still remains \u2014 how can Penrith make up for losing one of the NRL\u2019s elite players?<\/p>\n When their teamsheet was unveiled on Tuesday afternoon, talented middle forward Lindsay Smith was named at lock, with Jack Cogger at five-eighth.<\/p>\n Blaze Talagi has shuffled down the pecking order under Cleary\u2019s tutelage due to his perceived defensive issues, with Jack Cole starting over him in Round 23.<\/p>\n However, Cronk urged the Panthers to take a different approach and instead keep Cogger on the bench.<\/p>\n \u201cThey can still win it, but they came back to the field a little bit… the combination is like clockwork with Yeo and Cleary,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n \u201cYou can\u2019t replace Isaah but Lindsay Smith for me has been doing a little bit of it, that means Jack Cogger starts on the bench for me. Cogger is the type of player who comes on and replaces him and does a little more Isaah-type stuff.<\/p>\n \u201cBut he\u2019s not the big physical one. That means Talagi is now the six, and I feel like that\u2019s going to be their rotation… Jack is a damn good player, we\u2019ve seen him attack really well.<\/p>\n \u201cBut you will have Jack and Freddy Lussick defending together in the middle. They are more vulnerable to the power game now.\u201d<\/p>\n Isaah Yeo suffered a serious injury.Source: FOX SPORTS<\/p>\n However, Matty Johns had a different opinion and believed it\u2019s time for the Panthers to change their style of play.<\/p>\n Instead of their superstar halfback being a second receiver, and playing off the back of Yeo, Johns believed their marquee man must have ball in hand and take on the defensive line.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s pretend he\u2019s gone for a period, I think it\u2019s a mistake to try and play the same way,\u201d Johns said.<\/p>\n \u201cGiven the fact it is very easy to look at Isaah\u2019s role and say \u2018let\u2019s bring Lindsay in\u2019 because he can do that role.<\/p>\n \u201cBut the quality of Isaah\u2019s pass selection and his vision, you just can\u2019t put that into another player. What I am looking for is Nathan, instead of playing on those sweep shapes, playing more flat and square on the advantage line.\u201d<\/p>\n He even went as for as saying that Cleary can play the first receiver role and instead put Cogger into space to come up with the pointscoring opportunities.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d bring Cogger in… I think what we saw in that grand final is that when Cogger is there, Nathan can step back and become second banana for a little while,\u201d Johns explained.<\/p>\n \u201cI just don\u2019t think you can play the same style of football without Isaah there.\u201d<\/p>\n But that\u2019s where Cronk disagreed, calling on Talagi to lift and be the dynamic attacking threat the Panthers now need without the probing Yeo testing the line.<\/p>\n \u201c(Cleary) is going to need someone a bit more dynamic out the back of shape, he can create shape for anyone,\u201d Cronk said.<\/p>\n \u201cTalagi needs to get his defensive game on… I think this is all on Talagi. For me, at his best he is the six for Penrith. Defensively he has some issues.\u201d<\/p>\n READ MORE<\/p>\n Season over for Souths star in double blow; exiled wonderkid nearing shock NRL return <\/a><\/p>\n Twist in No.1 race; Dogs\u2019 season on thin ice in four-team finals fight \u2014 NRL Run Home<\/a><\/p>\n Massive Dogs blow after star\u2019s shock contract call; Penrith poach young gun \u2014 Whispers<\/a><\/p>\n Jett Cleary Seeks Warriors Release | 01:43<\/p>\n LATRELL\u2019S NEW ROLE… AS SHOCK CALL FLOATED<\/p>\n Over the last month of the regular season, four teams will battle it out for the final two finals spots.<\/p>\n Two of those teams are the Rabbitohs and Bulldogs, who sit seventh and ninth respectively, so, it\u2019s reasonable to say that their clash on Friday night is probably the most consequential fixture left on the schedule when it comes to the top eight race. <\/p>\n According to the <\/a>Fox Sports Lab<\/a>, the Bunnies are the most likely of the four to progress.<\/p>\n If they\u2019re able to get Latrell Mitchell back on deck at some stage, it\u2019d be a massive boost, but his return is uncertain at best as he deals with a nerve-related issue stemming from a leg injury.<\/p>\n Foxsports.com.au\u2019s Paul Crawley suggested that if Mitchell is able to return by the end of the season, he could be given a new role.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re looking at a couple of weeks but it\u2019s like, how long is a piece of string?\u201d Crawley said on NRL360.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s nerve-related but I don\u2019t have the finer details. The problem is that Souths have is because it\u2019s been in his leg, he hasn\u2019t done much training so when he comes back, is fitness may be a concern<\/p>\n \u201cThe talk may be is that he might have to play off the bench. I guess a little bit of Latrell is better than no Latrell.\u201d <\/p>\n Regardless of whether their superstar returns this season, there are several issues with Souths that will leave them vulnerable late in the season.<\/p>\n According to ex-NRL star Braith Anasta, <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m watching that game thinking, well, maybe they can limp in but even if they get Latrell back, I think they\u2019ll struggle if they get to the finals if I\u2019m honest,\u201d Anasta said.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s no denying they\u2019ve done well with the injuries to key positions but if you look at it for what is it and where they sit, are they likely to make the finals? I don\u2019t know. It\u2019s going to be touch and go without Latrell and even if they do, I think they\u2019re in trouble.<\/p>\n \u201cIt makes this weekend\u2019s game so important. It\u2019s huge. They\u2019ve got to win.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWayne\u2019s pointed out the fact that this year, their discipline has let them down countless times and it did again in the Eels game,\u201d Crawley added.<\/p>\n They were impeccable in the first half but in the second, they made mistake after mistake as they\u2019ve done on countless occasions and that\u2019s why I agree with you Braith.<\/p>\n \u201cThey haven\u2019t shown all year that they can put together consistent, disciplined performances for 80 minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n Souths have been struck hard by injury again for the second straight season.<\/p>\n Several stars have missed considerable time at different stages of the year. <\/p>\n Halfback Ashton Ward is the latest casualty. He\u2019s been ruled out for the rest of the season with a hamstring injury. <\/p>\n There\u2019s no doubt that with a fully healthy line up, this is a team that could challenge for a title. <\/p>\n The Daily Telegraph\u2019s Dave Riccio believes that Souths have done well to be seventh but he too has concerns with their inconsistency within games.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m stunned where they are. The amount of games their roster misses, to be in this position is extraordinary,\u201d Riccio said.<\/p>\n \u201cJack Wighton, Latrell, Cam Murray, Dave Fifita, Campbell Graham have all missed time but they\u2019re inconsistent. <\/p>\n \u201cIf they were a racehorse, you wouldn\u2019t back it.\u201d<\/p>\n Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!!<\/a><\/p>\n Mitchell pushing to be back for finals | 00:47<\/p>\n BULLDOGS\u2019 HALVES UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT<\/p>\n If the Bulldogs are going to make the top eight this season and have a crack at a premiership they\u2019ll have to do it with a halves pairing that\u2019s learning on the run.<\/p>\n Canterbury\u2019s halves pairings have chopped and changed a lot in the past 18 months but coach Cameron Ciraldo looks set to stick with Lachlan Galvin and Stephen Crichton for the rest of the season.<\/p>\n Since Ciraldo moved Crichton from the centres to five-eighth in Round 16, the Bulldogs have won five of seven matches.<\/p>\n Crichton is still viewed as a centre, long-term, while Galvin is a natural No. 6 but is trying to run the team from halfback as a 21-year-old.<\/p>\n Most premiership teams not only have genuine halves in those positions, but they\u2019ve played plenty of games together and have an understanding of how to control a game.<\/p>\n While Crichton and Galvin have combined well, they got a reality check against the Roosters last week.<\/p>\n The Bulldogs had a 10-point lead with 14 minutes to go, but the halves couldn\u2019t steer the team home.<\/p>\n Speaking on NRL 360 on Tuesday night, journalist Paul Crawley highlighted Crichton and Galvin\u2019s combination as they tried to close the game out.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Bulldogs\u2019 halves, and not having to crack them, they\u2019re doing a damn good job, but just the finesse of game management\u2026 (they) still the lack a true seven,\u201d Crawley said.<\/p>\n NRL 360 host Braith Anasta, who won a premiership at the Bulldogs in 2004 playing five-eighth, said the current pair will be up against it as the games continue to matter more. <\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re still both learning. You\u2019ve got Galvin learning on the run, and he\u2019s done a magnificent job and got better,\u201d Anasta said. <\/p>\n \u201cThen you\u2019ve got Crichton learning too. Even though he\u2019s been amazing playing six, he\u2019s still learning how to be a six. <\/p>\n \u201cAnd you\u2019re coming into the back end of the year when it matters the most, under pressure, big games, big moments. That\u2019s where you can be a little bit vulnerable.\u201d<\/p>\n While the pair is skilful, it\u2019s not that which they need to improve if they\u2019re to lead the Bulldogs deep into the finals.<\/p>\n They need more game time together to become a force as a halves pairing, but time is not on their side with just four rounds to go before the finals. <\/p>\n \u201cThey were good, but that lack of finesse and intent and knowing exactly where they need to get to execute exactly what they need to beat the Roosters, and they had their opportunities as well,\u201d Anasta said. <\/p>\n \u201cThe kicking game, I mean, they\u2019re going to start putting pressure on Crichton. He looks like he has all day to kick most of the time.\u201d <\/p>\n The Bulldogs face off this week against Souths in a must-win game.<\/p>\n PNG Interest in Walker & Cleary | 01:50<\/p>\n THE METCALF DILEMMA<\/p>\n Despite saying he has \u201cno opinion\u201d on who his halves pairing will be ahead of the finals, Warriors coach Andrew Webster has one of the biggest calls of his career to make.<\/p>\n Regular halfback Te Maire Martin is out until Round 26 with a hamstring injury and his replacement on the weekend, Luke Metcalf, starred in the big win over Penrith.<\/p>\n When a regular starter is out injured they generally come straight back into the line-up when fit.<\/p>\n But this situation is different.<\/p>\n While Martin has been playing well for the Warriors, he\u2019s not seen as a world-class No. 7.<\/p>\n Metcalf, on the other hand, was leading the Dally M Medal race last season until he went down with an ACL injury.<\/p>\n He\u2019s been out of favour at the Warriors as Tanah Boyd came in to replace him while he was on the sidelines.<\/p>\n When Boyd did his own ACL this year Martin came in to replace him while Metcalf was forced to stay in reserve grade after being told he could move on to another club if he wished.<\/p>\n He might be on the move to the Dragons in 2027 but it\u2019s looking like he\u2019ll challenge Martin for the starting No. 7 spot.<\/p>\n After Metcalf\u2019s stunning return two premiership-winning halves have disagreed over what Warriors coach Andrew Webster will do when Te Maire Martin returns from injury.<\/p>\n Cooper Cronk doesn\u2019t think he\u2019ll hold the spot once Martin returns while Matty Johns thinks Metcalf is a better fit than Martin in this particular Warriors team.<\/p>\n \u201cI think there are some areas he\u2019s got to tidy up, mainly his defence, but I back him to do that,\u201d Johns said of Metcalf on the Matty and Cronk podcast. <\/p>\n \u201cFor me, Chanel (Harris-Tavita) and Te Maire Martin play similar games, but Metcalf gives them something a little bit different. <\/p>\n \u201cBecause the Warriors are so good in yardage and can really bend the line, his run-first style really works. <\/p>\n \u201cWayde Egan is doing a lot of that finessing in the middle of the field and I think Metcalf\u2019s running game supports that.\u201d<\/p>\n Cronk acknowledged Metcalf\u2019s stunning game on the weekend but has argued that Martin had done enough in his time playing halfback to earn his spot back when he\u2019s fit to play.<\/p>\n \u201cI think we get romantic too quickly,\u201d Cronk said. <\/p>\n \u201cThe Warriors have been a damn good team all year. Who have been the halves combo? Martin and Harris-Tavita right? They\u2019ve done a great job and until they prove they can\u2019t, I think Metcalf is on the bench. <\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s got impact off the bench, so why move him? I think Martin and Harris-Tavita deserve it (when healthy).<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s give the Warriors a big rap here because when the Metcalf situation was going on Andrew Webster said they\u2019re in the premiership window this year. Clubs wanted him earlier and other clubs would\u2019ve said to Metcalf, \u2018get out of here\u2019 but Webster has managed this kid to a point that he delivered on the weekend and he will deliver for the Warriors in the next six weeks. He will be needed at some stage.\u201d<\/p>\n After the win on the weekend Webster was asked if Metcalf\u2019s form meant he would keep the halfback jersey for the rest of the season.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve got no opinion on that at all. I just thought he (Metcalf) was good and I want to celebrate Luke,\u201d Webster said.<\/p>\n Aiken set for 50th NRLW game | 03:36<\/p>\n FORAN\u2019S SQUAD PREDICAMENT<\/p>\n Despite calls for a player clean-out at the under-siege Manly club, coach Kieran Foran may be stuck with his current squad for some time yet.<\/p>\n That\u2019s the opinion of Fox League commentator Luke Keary who says there\u2019s no reason why Foran can\u2019t turn the current group around.<\/p>\n