Penrith forward Luke Garner has been ruled out of Saturday’s clash against Newcastle in Bathurst after suffering a concussion at training, a late blow to Ivan Cleary’s already-depleted Panthers squad.
Garner copped a head knock on Tuesday, after team lists had already been submitted to the NRL, triggering confusion when the teams dropped at 4 pm with his name still in the starting side.
He has now been officially withdrawn from the squad.
MORE: Dolphins eye England captain as potential transfer target
Selection scramble as Panthers’ depth tested again
The Panthers were already missing five players to State of Origin duties, and the Garner news has forced a reshuffle just days out from kick-off. Preston Riki has been promoted to the starting back row, Austin Dias comes off the reserves list to join the bench, and Zac Lipowicz has been added to the extended squad.
It’s another headache for Cleary in what’s become a familiar juggling act during Origin season. Garner, who has shifted between the forwards and centres this year, was expected to play a key role against the Knights, but his withdrawal now stretches Penrith’s depth even further.
MORE: Dragons 'in danger' of losing reliable hooker
Meanwhile, the Bulldogs are facing their Origin frustration after Kurt Mann was named 18th man for Queensland, ruling him out of Thursday’s clash with the Dolphins despite not being in the Maroons’ playing 17.
Coach Cameron Ciraldo admitted it was a tough pill to swallow. “Considering we play Thursday night and Origin isn’t until next Wednesday (it is a bit frustrating),” he said. “But in saying that, we want our players in and around that arena, especially someone like Kurt, who has worked so hard for a long time.”
“We would never begrudge him of that, but it is quite frustrating to lose a player to 18th man.”