lower grades report

The biggest change comes in the form of a new coach following Peter Wallace’s promotion to first grade assistant. Ben Harden will take over the NSW Cup head coaching role, having spent 2022 as part of the NRL coaching staff. He also previously worked as Panthers Head of Pathways and in numerous lower grade coaching roles.

There’s also a healthy mix of youth and experience within the squad, with 10 players in the Round 1 squad having played first grade, along with young guns Isaiah Iongi, Jesse McLean, Luke Sommerton and Mavrik Geyer all pressing for first grade debuts in 2023.

The Jersey Flegg squad features a similar level of consistency, with nine players from last year’s thrilling Grand Final victory over Newcastle named in Round 1 against the Melbourne Storm, along with six who featured in the SG Ball Grand Final.

Jono Rolfe will continue as Jersey Flegg coach after claiming the Premiership in his first season.

Penrith’s NSW Cup and Jersey Flegg teams will feature in triple-headers with the first grade side at BlueBet Stadium on three occasions throughout the season, with NSW Cup being played as the sole curtain-raiser on six other occasions.

There will be one double-header featuring only the two lower grades at home, with various other double and triple-headers in away matches.

The Panthers NSW Cup season kicks off at

5.25pm on Friday against Norths at BlueBet Stadium as a curtain-raiser to first grade, with Jersey Flegg beginning the following afternoon at the same venue against Melbourne.