<h2>Nathan Cleary Set to be Rested Against Bulldogs – Four Pointer Summary:</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>- Nathan Cleary is set to be rested for Thursday's crucial clash against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.</p> <p>- Several other Penrith stars are expected to sit this one out as well.</p> <p>- Panthers have secured finals spot but are prioritising player fitness over chasing a top four finish with premiership defence in mind.</p> <p>- Bulldogs could benefit from Panthers' rotation policy to secure their own top four position this Thursday night.</p> <p>The Penrith Panthers are expected to rest key players including Nathan Cleary for Thursday's NRL clash against Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, prioritising finals preparation over ladder position.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Panthers Set to Rest Stars Despite Finals Implications</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The four-time premiership winners have made the strategic decision to rotate their squad ahead of what looms as a crucial encounter at CommBank Stadium.</p> <p>With Penrith sitting seventh on 31 points, they've already locked in their top eight spot for the 2025 NRL Finals, allowing coach Ivan Cleary the luxury of managing his player workloads.</p> <p>Nathan Cleary headlines the expected absentees for Thursday night's fixture, with the star halfback among several first-choice players anticipated to be given the week off.</p> <p>The full extent of the Panthers' rotation policy won't be confirmed until Tuesday afternoon's team announcement, though recent NSW Cup selections provide clues about potential call-ups.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Fifth Premiership Priority Over Ladder Position</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Penrith's approach reflects their single-minded focus on securing an unprecedented fifth consecutive premiership rather than chasing a top four finish.</p> <p>While mathematically possible, reaching fourth spot would require the Panthers to win their remaining matches while hoping other results fall their way, with the Warriors currently holding fourth position on 34 points.</p> <p>The Panthers' decision becomes more intriguing given their temporary relocation to CommBank Stadium during Penrith Stadium's redevelopment.</p> <p>Without true home-ground advantage available, the traditional benefits of a top four finish hold less appeal for the reigning champions.</p> <p>Interestingly, the Panthers have chosen to rest players against the Bulldogs - a likely finals opponent - rather than saving rotations for their final regular season match against the lower-ranked St George Illawarra Dragons.</p> <p>This tactical decision suggests confidence in their ability to handle whatever finals draw awaits.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Bulldogs to Benefit from Panthers' Rotation Strategy</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Canterbury-Bankstown stand to gain significantly from Penrith's rotation policy, with a victory on Thursday night enough to secure their own top four finish.</p> <p>The Bulldogs have emerged as genuine premiership contenders this season and would welcome facing a weakened Panthers outfit at this crucial juncture.</p> <p>Should the expected changes materialise, fringe players like Brad Schneider, Paul Alamoti, and Matt Eisenhuth could receive opportunities after being notably absent from last week's NSW Cup fixture.</p> <p>These inclusions would provide valuable experience while keeping the Panthers' first-choice squad fresh for their finals campaign.</p> <p>The Panthers' approach demonstrates the delicate balance between short-term tactical decisions and long-term premiership aspirations, with their sights firmly set on making NRL history with a fifth straight title.</p> <p>Will this bold decision pay off for Penrith and pave the way for an unprecedented fifth straight premiership? See what the official NRL premiership odds have to say below.&nbsp;</p>