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The Penrith Panthers have locked in their squad for the highly anticipated Round 6 showdown against the Dolphins, set to take place this weekend at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium. Head coach Ivan Cleary has finalized the team list, sticking with a solid mix of seasoned stars and rising talent as the Panthers aim to continue their impressive early-season form.
With both sides showing promising signs in the opening rounds of the 2025 NRL season, the matchup has quickly become one of the most talked-about fixtures of the round. The Panthers, coming off a convincing win in Round 5, are looking to keep the momentum rolling and further cement their place inside the top four.
Cleary has opted for stability across the board, making only minor tweaks to the line-up that secured victory last week. The spine remains untouched, with Dylan Edwards at fullback, halves Jarome Luai and Nathan Cleary pulling the strings, and Mitch Kenny continuing to impress at dummy half.
In the forward pack, James Fisher-Harris and Moses Leota will spearhead the front row, providing a powerful platform up the middle. Behind them, the likes of Liam Martin and Isaah Yeo bring both work rate and leadership to the second row and lock positions, respectively.
There’s plenty of firepower on the edges as well, with Brian To’o and Sunia Turuva set to bring their trademark energy and physicality to the wings, while Izack Tago and Taylan May round out the backline in the centres. The combination of speed, strength, and creativity across the field has Panthers fans confident of another strong showing.
One of the big talking points heading into the clash is the inclusion of Jack Cole on the bench. The young utility has been steadily making his case in the NSW Cup, and Cleary’s decision to give him a spot in the 17 suggests the coaching staff is eager to test his versatility at the top level. Whether he fills in as a backline replacement or offers cover in the halves, Cole’s presence adds a new layer of intrigue.
Also named on the interchange are Lindsay Smith, Scott Sorensen, and Spencer Leniu, offering a potent mix of size, impact, and experience. All three have proven themselves as reliable contributors and are expected to play key roles in maintaining intensity throughout the match.
Speaking to the media earlier in the week, Cleary praised the team’s recent performances but emphasized the importance of staying focused.
“We’ve been building nicely, but the Dolphins are a tough side and we know they’ll be up for the challenge, especially at Suncorp,” Cleary said. “It’s about executing our game plan and staying disciplined. We’re confident in the group we’ve selected, and now it’s about going out there and getting the job done.”
The Dolphins, meanwhile, will be just as eager to make a statement in front of their home crowd. With a mix of veterans and youth, they’ve shown flashes of brilliance throughout the season and will be keen to knock off one of the competition’s heavyweights.
Kickoff is scheduled for Sunday afternoon, and all eyes will be on Suncorp Stadium as the Panthers look to silence the Dolphins and continue their charge towards another premiership push. For fans and neutrals alike, this clash promises to deliver fireworks—and the Panthers are ready for the fight.
Panthers Squad for Round 6:
- Dylan Edwards
- Brian To’o
- Izack Tago
- Taylan May
- Sunia Turuva
- Jarome Luai
- Nathan Cleary (c)
- Moses Leota
- Mitch Kenny
- James Fisher-Harris
- Liam Martin
- Scott Sorensen
- Isaah Yeo
Interchange:
14. Jack Cole
15. Lindsay Smith
16. Spencer Leniu
17. Luke Garner
With confidence high and a talented squad in place, the Panthers are primed to deliver another statement performance.
