Blaize Talagi in line for debut after Panthers rocked by massive new injury blow
Blaize Talagi could be in line to make his first-grade debut for the Panthers on Thursday night after the four-time defending premiers lost a second fullback to injury in a matter of days. Daine Laurie has been withdrawn from the game due to an undisclosed injury suffered at training this week, after he was initially named to start at fullback in place of Dylan Edwards.
Edwards is expected to miss at least two weeks with a groin injury, and the Panthers had an ideal replacement in Laurie. But news came to light on Wednesday night that Laurie has also gone down injured.
Ivan Cleary has named Thomas Jenkins at fullback to take Laurie's place, but speculation is rife that Talagi will actually get the nod. Talagi was named as 18th man for the game, meaning he could be a late inclusion on Thursday night.
Jenkins has only ever played wing or centre at NRL or reserve grade level, while Talagi was played plenty of fullback at Parramatta. Initial reports earlier in the week suggested Jenkins might come in for Casey McLean on the wing, which could still eventuate if Talagi is elevated to play fullback.
Talagi has been forced to bide his time in reserve grade at the Panthers after coming over from the Eels in the off-season. The 20-year-old signed with the Panthers with a view to replacing Jarome Luai at five-eighth and partnering Nathan Cleary in the halves.
But Ivan Cleary has gone with Jack Cole at No.6 to start the year, with Talagi toiling in NSW Cup over the first two weeks. Tellingly, Talagi was moved to right centre last weekend in reserve grade after playing the first game of the year at five-eighth. He can play anywhere across the backline and spent time at fullback, wing, centre and five-eighth at the Eels.
I love to see Blaize Talagi make his panthers debut tomorrow night
— Haydn Jones (@HaydnJo82192454) March 19, 2025
Has Jenkins even played fullback ? Maybe Talagi will play fullback as a late replacement
— Michael Bianchi .. Panthers 1991-2003,21,22,23,24 (@Penropennies) March 19, 2025
Feels like Blaize is the best available fit for fullback and perhaps Ivan is trying to ease the pressure by not naming him there until the last minute.
— 🏴 𝐉𝐀𝐂𝐎𝐁 🇦🇺 (@MrJacobSheppard) March 19, 2025
Meanwhile, Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy has handed Nelson Asofa-Solomona a chance at grand final redemption after including him in the 17 to take on the Panthers. The Storm badly missed Asofa-Solomona in their loss to the Panthers in last year's premiership decider after he copped a five-game ban that ended his season.
That ban is now complete, and Bellamy has brought the hulking forward onto his bench to tackle the Panthers. Teammate Jahrome Hughes said earlier this week that Asofa-Solomona deserved to play after missing the grand final.
"He deserves to be there," Hughes said. "He's done a lot of hard work in the pre-season and he's still burning from missing out on last year's GF (grand final) so he's really hungry to get back on the team."
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The Panthers will be heavy underdogs for the match in Melbourne, and they're well aware the Storm will be out for revenge. "You wouldn't be human if you didn't have a little bit of that in you," coach Cleary said earlier this week.
"We always totally respect the Storm, always have. Always look forward to this opportunity to play them. Whenever we get to, going down to Melbourne is arguably the toughest road trip in the game. It's a great challenge. Definitely looking forward to it."
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