Reporter Dean Ritchie has slammed the Panthers for resting 16 players, accusing the club of \u201ctaking the piss\u201d and showing they \u201cdon\u2019t give a sh**\u201d about their clash with the Bulldogs.<\/p>\n
The Panthers have made the stunning decision to rest 16 of their frontline players for Thursday night\u2019s game at Accor Stadium.<\/p>\n
With a top four finish virtually out of reach for Penrith, coach Ivan Cleary has decided to freshen his players up ahead of the finals, and in doing so, has handed the Bulldogs a huge advantage.<\/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 Brad Schneider, who has been named at halfback in the absence of Nathan Cleary, is the only player picked to take on the Bulldogs who was also in the Panthers\u2019 17 that lost a thriller to the Raiders last week.<\/p>\n Schneider didn\u2019t actually take the field for the Panthers, but he was in their 17.<\/p>\n Ritchie took aim at Penrith over their decision with just two rounds to go before the finals.<\/p>\n \u201cResting 16 players, is that showing integrity?\u201d Ritchie asked on NRL 360.<\/p>\n \u201cI would argue no.<\/p>\n \u201dI just wonder whether 16 players is good for the game? Is it good for the fans? Is it good for the broadcasters?<\/p>\n \u201cDoes it set a good example? I don\u2019t think it does.<\/p>\n \u201cResting one or two, I can live with, 16, it\u2019s taking the piss.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd they\u2019re going to play the Bulldogs into a victory just before the finals.<\/p>\n \u201cIt gives their finals opponent a leg-up.\u201d<\/p>\n But journalist Paul Crawley defended Penrith\u2019s controversial call. <\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re not breaking any rules,\u201d Crawley said.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Panthers in the last two weeks, despite going down, have pushed the two leading contenders (the Storm and Raiders) right to the wire.<\/p>\n \u201cThey know regardless of where they finish, they\u2019ve got the firepower if they\u2019re fresh to win the comp.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd the fact is, right, those two losses, they would need everything to go their way now to finish top four. <\/p>\n \u201cThey go into the finals with their guns fresh.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re every chance.\u201d<\/p>\n Host Braith Anasta went a step further and praised the Panthers\u2019 decision.<\/p>\n \u201cI love it. It\u2019s extremely smart,\u201d Anasta said.<\/p>\n Before Ritchie interjected.<\/p>\n \u201cIs it in their DNA to roll over like this?\u201d Ritchie asked.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re not rolling over.\u201d Anasta replied.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re outsmarting you.\u201d<\/p>\n MORE NRL NEWS<\/p>\n CRAWLS: \u2018Show pony\u2019 Walsh shows why jury still out; $5k Souths gun in shop window<\/a><\/p>\n TEAM TIPS: Tigers\u2019 halves headache; Roosters\u2019 Walker blow as Storm lose skipper<\/a><\/p>\n