NRL 2021: Penrith Panthers coach Ivan Cleary makes last-minute change to semi-final side

The Panthers will have to contend without one of their State of Origin stars when they meet the Eels in a sudden-death semi-final.

Edwards has played his entire career to date with the Panthers and was a member of their 2020 grand final side. Picture: Albert Perez / Getty Images

Panthers star Brian To’o has been ruled out of his side’s semi-final clash with the Parramatta Eels.

The popular winger picked up a minor ankle injury at training and has been replaced by Brent Naden in the starting side.

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Coach Ivan Cleary says the Panthers are in “great shape” to recover from last week’s shock qualifying final loss to the Rabbitohs when they face Parramatta on Saturday.

Having defeated South Sydney in each of the sides’ last five encounters, Penrith was expected to knock the Bunnies off last week and advance to a grand final qualifier.

Instead, Cleary’s men lost just their fourth game of 2021 and are now preparing to face the Eels in a sudden-death semi-final.

The 16-10 defeat sent shockwaves through the NRL but Cleary says he still has strong belief in Penrith’s premiership credentials.

“It’s just a different path, it’s a different opportunity, it’s a different experience for us,” he said.

“We’re in great shape, we’re feeling good. Last week was just a hiccup, really. We’ve just got to play better so that’s what we’ll be looking to do this week.”

Cleary said his side bounced back well at training during the week.

“It’s been really good,” he said of the Panthers’ response to the loss.

“It was disappointing to lose the game but in the end we didn’t play well enough in most areas.

“Not a lot in it, but key moments throughout the game were missed. In the end, Souths were very good on the night and deserved their victory. Looking forward to getting another opportunity this week against Parramatta.”

The Panthers will be bolstered by the return of three stars from injury this weekend.

Fullback Dylan Edwards, recently re-signed prop Moses Leota and interchange forward Scott Sorensen are all back in the fray, having recovered from foot, calf and wrist injuries respectively.

Edwards made 18 appearances for Penrith in the 2021 regular season. Picture: Bradley Kanaris / Getty Images

Cleary lauded Edwards’ last-minute replacement, Stephen Crichton, but said the regular fullback’s inclusion in the side was a “very important” one.

“I thought Critta (Crichton) was one of our best last week. I thought he was outstanding throughout the game,” he said.

“He’s different, he brings a different skill set than what Dyl (Edwards) does. Dyl’s a very important player in our team, for a bunch of reasons, a lot of things the outside can’t see.

“He’s very highly valued in our team and certainly it’s good to have him back.

“Still being able to use Stephen in a different role will add value to our team as well.”

Cleary said Edwards’ support play and on field communication would prove useful come Saturday night.

“Some of those little moments where you make breaks or whatever, he doesn’t miss those. It could’ve been handy (against Souths), but as I said, Stephen was one of our best,” he said.

For the Eels, Ryan Matterson has been promoted to the bench after serving as 18th man in the elimination final win over Newcastle.

Forwards Marata Niukore and Junior Paulo were both charged by the match review committee after Sunday’s win but escaped with monetary fines so are free to take their place in Parramatta's 17.