In a fiery backlash that’s sweeping across the NRL landscape, fans, players, and pundits alike are calling foul over what many are labeling a “ridiculous and disrespectful” NRL draw that appears to unfairly target the reigning premiers, the Penrith Panthers.
The drama intensified when Panthers head coach Ivan Cleary, in a post-match press conference, subtly hinted that the draw may be “engineered against us,” while several current and former players, including league legends, have not held back — blasting the NRL’s scheduling decisions as “an absolute joke.”
🐾 Panthers Punished for Success?
Penrith, who have become the dominant force in the NRL with three straight premierships, have now found themselves facing arguably the most grueling draw of the season. The 2025 fixture list has them traveling more frequently, playing fewer home games during crucial periods, and facing a heavy load of short turnarounds — including multiple five-day back-ups.
Panthers fans took to social media in droves, with hashtags like #NRLfix and #JusticeForPanthers trending in Australia just hours after the full draw was released.
Even former star Greg Alexander didn’t mince words on Fox League:
“If I were still playing, I’d be blowing up deluxe — this is ridiculous. You can’t punish excellence. It’s like the Panthers are being set up to fail.”
😡 Fans & Players React
The NRL community is in uproar. Here’s what some voices are saying:
- 🗣️ “So let me get this straight — win three comps, dominate the league, and your reward is the hardest draw in the game?”
- 🗣️ “This isn’t a coincidence. It’s deliberate. They want to wear Penrith down.”
- 🗣️ “If this happened to the Roosters or Storm, it would be front-page scandal.”
Panthers star Nathan Cleary stayed diplomatic but was clearly frustrated:
“We don’t make excuses — we’ll just prepare the best we can and take it on. But yeah, it’s tough.”
Meanwhile, younger players in the squad are reportedly “shocked and disheartened” at the load they are expected to carry in key parts of the season, especially around Origin time.
📅 What’s So Bad About the Draw?
Here are a few key issues that have sparked the outrage:
- Four five-day turnarounds, more than any other top-4 club.
- Back-to-back interstate games on multiple occasions.
- Only two home games in the six weeks around State of Origin.
- No bye during critical fatigue periods — while some rivals enjoy favorable breaks.
Many believe this not only impacts Penrith’s premiership defense but also has ramifications on player welfare, especially considering the team’s heavy representation in State of Origin.
🤔 Is It Intentional?
NRL executives have denied any bias or targeting, with a spokesperson saying:
“Every year, we face complex challenges to ensure a fair and balanced draw. No club is deliberately disadvantaged.”
But fans aren’t buying it — especially when teams like the Bulldogs and Dolphins seem to have relatively easier schedules.
Some are even calling for an independent review of how the draw is structured, citing potential commercial bias, crowd figures, and TV ratings as hidden influences behind the decisions.
🧠 Final Whistle
Whether intentional or not, the Panthers’ draw has ignited a firestorm. For a club that has set the benchmark for excellence, the NRL’s scheduling appears to be a harsh and unnecessary roadblock.
The Panthers now face not only their opponents but the system itself, and one thing is clear — they’ll have no choice but to defend their legacy the hard way.
But as fans chant, “They fear the Panthers”, perhaps this draw is just further proof that the kings of the jungle are still the team to beat.
