TK's simple guide to the Penrith Panthers fantasy prospects for 2025.
A massive changing of the charge with two of the leaders departing in Daddy Luai and James Fisher Harris. Given they have unproven replacements for both players, they will be relying on Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo to be injury free for the majority of the year. Given they have played 5 seasons going all the way to the grand final this has to catch up on them eventually. Isaiah Papali'i is an interesting signing as at his best is a lethal edge player, but this position they are well stocked up on, so is there an intention to possibly play him as a small middle. Everything that goes up must eventually come down and I see it happening in 2025.
Prediction - No longer premiership favorites but still a threat for top 4
Panthers 2025 Player Movements
2025 Gains |
Isaiah Papali'i (Wests Tigers, 2027), Blaize Talagi (Parramatta Eels, 2027) |
2025 Loses |
Jett Cleary (New Zealand Warriors), James Fisher-Harris (New Zealand Warriors), Isaiah Iongi (Parramatta Eels), Ativalu Lisati (Melbourne Storm), Jarome Luai (Wests Tigers), Francis Manuleleua (Newcastle Knights), Taylan May (released), Tyrone Peachey (retired), Sunia Turuva (Wests Tigers) |
Bit of competition for spots with some big guns moving on. Two open positions at wing and five-eighth could see a number of different combinations chosen. The departure of Fisher-Harris does make the team look a little thin up front, so the bench make up will be interesting. Given his form at the back end of the year Garner could easily start ahead of Papali'I who could be used in the middle rotation.
The Draw and Game Day Squad
Byes - round 11,15,18
Game Day Squad allows a true focus on weekly match ups. Nathan Cleary is a selection you could run on the weekly. You could take a punt on the likes of Izack Tago, Paul Alamoti and Isaiah Papali'i in the following games:
NRL Fantasy perspective
A deep bye into round 11 will suit riding one of Cleary or Yeo into the origin break as your captain. The team does miss two of the major bye rounds in 15 and 18 however they finish their byes early. Could easily load up on some of the Panthers guns for the run home.
Fantasy relevant players for round 1 - Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo, Isaiah Papali'I, Jack Cole
2025 NRL Fantasy Fortunes (slide across to view full notes)
Player | Price | NRL Fantasy Av | GameDay Squad Av | Notes |
Isaah Yeo | $865K | 64.8 | 64.9 | In a year with Cleary and Hynes being knocked around provided a great captain back up option. You will need to choose between Cleary and Yeo to start, but will not let you down on the weekly. Given the Panthers draw during origin I prefer him over Haas. |
Nathan Cleary | $880K | 64.5 | 71.7 | Will be racing the clock for round 1 with his should reco. With Daddy Luai's departure even more responsibility will fall on his shoulder. Limited game sample of games without Luai suggest a strong upside. Buy if named round 1 |
Dylan Edwards | $730K | 54.7 | 64.9 | Benefited from Cleary missing large chunks with him taking on the goal kicking. Is fully priced and for round 1 will be more value in his position. Avoid |
Soni Luke | $350K | 54 | 47.9 | Only 1 NSW Cup game and best role is a limited min bench role. In NSW had 18 games for 36.7 fantasy points. Avoid |
Brian To'o | $634K | 47.5 | 53.9 | Productive season which places him at full price. Better options for round 1 |
Isaiah Papali'i | $622K | 46.6 | 44.4 | In 2022 he averaged 63 playing inside Moses at Parramatta. Returns to an elite roster however there does appear to be positional uncertainty considering how well Garner and Sorensen played on the left edge, the left edge is also away from Cleary. Watchlist but I think there is better options. |
Lyndsay Smith | $600K | 44.8 | 43.4 | Would be favourite to take JFH's starting role. In his 6 starts only a 38.7 av from 49.8 minutes. No need to rush in on this one. |
Brad Schneider | $550K | 43.8 | 43 | Would be in the mix to start in the halves. However this average is largely without Cleary, so will likely see a significant decline. |
Luke Garner | $547K | 41 | 40.1 | 45.8 av when starting 10 games. A lot of positon uncertainty with a lot of competition here. Removal of Luai also a major issue. Avoid |
Liam Henry | $542K | 40.6 | 41.1 | Another in the mix for JFH's roie. Great PPM of 1.05. JFH had a 46.6 average minute role. Not worth the punt for round 1 but keep on the watchlist as he has a fantasy relevant game |
Mitch Kenny | $511K | 38.3 | 32.3 | Just doesn't have the attacking stats to move his average into the 40's. Avoid |
Paul Alamoti | $505K | 37.8 | 39.1 | Had a massive end to the year. Could easily move to the vacant wing role. Probably fully priced at this stage. |
Scott Sorensen | $504K | 37.7 | 34.1 | Had plenty of injury issues so would be underpriced as a starting edge. With JFH leaving and Ipap arriving, will likely find himself in a mid rotation role which will see his mins and av decline. Avoid |
Izack Tago | $500K | 37.2 | 36.3 | Has a fantasy relevant game but no consistency. Is a very hard watch at times with his lack of involvement. Let this one go through to the keeper as he hurt us too badly last year. |
Liam Martin | $525K | 37.1 | 34.3 | Is priced at his potential. May also see some middle mins given the stack of edges in this team. Avoid no upside |
Asu Kepaoa | $400K | 35.5 | 30.9 | Unlikely to make the 21. Avoid. 19 NSW Cup games for a 33 average. |
Blaize Talagi | $458K | 34.3 | 33.6 | Is in the mix for a number of roles. Off season surgery could slow him down for round 1. Will see a natural improvement and now based at the premiers. At a very awkward price so for me his an avoid. |
Casey McLean | $446K | 33.4 | 34.7 | Showed plenty of promise and his Kiwi debut potentially shows he may be a winger. Would be on the end of a great back line. NSW Cup numbers are not great, 10 games for a 23.8 av. Watchlist |
Jack Cole | $250K | 33.1 | 33 | 44.2 average in his 5 starts at five-eighth however all games are without Cleary. NSW Cup he had 9 games for a 33.2 average. At this price if he starts its too good to be true but comes with a lot of job risk so just be comfortable with that. |
Luke Sommerton | $350K | 33 | 31.3 | Back up hooker unlikely to see any significant time. 16 games in NSW Cup for a 41.9 average. |
Moses Leota | $407K | 30.5 | 28.1 | Numbers declined quite signifcantly in similar minutes. Even with the departure of JFH would be hard to take a punt on. Avoid |
Daine Laurie | $402K | 30.1 | 33.3 | Plenty of promise if a signficant injury ever occurs to Edewards. 6 starts at FB he had a 49.7 av, so keep in mind if that ever eventuates. |
Jesse McLean | $250K | 29 | 34.1 | Limited opportunities and would be behind on the depth chart. 13 games in NSW Cup for a 29.2 average. Watchlist |
Matt Eisenhuth | $346K | 25.9 | 23.8 | Would be in the mix for a bench role but that’s about it. Avoid |
Luron Patea | $250K | 21.7 | 21 | A prop on the rise and would also be close to the 21 if not the 17. 21 games in the NSW Cup for 36.3 av. Keep on the watchlist |
Mavrik Geyer | $275K | 20.6 | 19.8 | Another behind on the depth chart at his position. Would need injuries but has a relevant game. 13 games in the NSW Cup he had a 50.5 av. Watchlist |
Preston Riki | $250K | 18 | 14.2 | Similar to Geyer in his well behind in the depth chart. NSW Cup had 14 games for 35.6 fantasy average. |
Trent Toelau | TBA | 17.4 | 17.1 | Could be a smokey for the five-eighth position. Had a solid NSW Cup year in 14 games he averaged 53.6 fantasy points. Watchlist |
Harrison Hassett | $230K | 0 | 0 | Another edge backrower coming through the ranks. Unlikely to see any signifcant NRL. NSW Cup he had 21 games for a 38 average. |
Riley Price | $230K | 0 | 0 | Makes the moves from Cows and has pedigree being the son of the great Doggie Steve Price. Would be well behind on the depth chart at this stage. Avoid |
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