{"id":94140,"date":"2025-08-25T07:37:10","date_gmt":"2025-08-25T07:37:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/94140\/"},"modified":"2025-08-25T07:37:10","modified_gmt":"2025-08-25T07:37:10","slug":"nathan-cleary-among-others-set-to-be-rested-from-bulldogs-showdown-the-western-weekender","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/94140\/","title":{"rendered":"Nathan Cleary, among others, set to be rested from Bulldogs showdown \u2022 The Western Weekender"},"content":{"rendered":"


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\"\"<\/a>Nathan Cleary. Photo: NRL Photos.<\/p>\n

Penrith is set to implement a wild strategy to keep their hopes for a fifth straight title alive by resting a host of key players against Canterbury on Thursday.<\/p>\n

It is understood that with a top four finish now extremely unlikely, the Panthers will prioritise being as fit and healthy as possible for an assault on the title from outside the top four.<\/p>\n

Nathan Cleary will head a list of players to sit out Thursday night\u2019s showdown with Canterbury, it is understood.<\/p>\n

Speculation started to mount about Penrith\u2019s strategy earlier today when the betting markets for Thursday\u2019s game were turned on their head.<\/p>\n

Penrith were favourites, and are now significant outsiders.<\/p>\n

Penrith play Canterbury and St George-Illawarra over the final two rounds before the Finals.<\/p>\n

Sources close to the club say players may be rested across both matches, headlined by what was to be a blockbuster showdown on Thursday.<\/p>\n

They have lost their last two matches in Extra Time, with three of their last four matches going to Golden Point.<\/p>\n

Ivan Cleary will name his team for Thursday\u2019s game at 4pm tomorrow.<\/p>\n

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Troy Dodds<\/p>\n

Troy Dodds is the Weekender’s Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia’s leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.<\/p>\n


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