The Penrith Panthers’ 2025 NRL campaign has been dealt another serious blow with star forward James Fisher-Harris ruled out for 8–9 weeks after suffering a medial ligament knee injury.
The New Zealand international sustained the injury during a bruising clash against the Melbourne Storm in Round 15. Scans have confirmed the severity of the damage, leaving the Panthers without one of their most influential enforcers as the club battles to stay in finals contention.
Fisher-Harris, a cornerstone of Penrith’s premiership-winning pack, brings unmatched physicality and leadership to the team. His absence compounds a growing injury crisis at the club, which has already lost several key players, including Sunia Turuva, Tyrone Peachey, and earlier in the season, Dylan Edwards.
Coach Ivan Cleary admitted the run of injuries has put significant pressure on the club’s depth.
> “It’s tough losing Fish — he’s not just a leader on the field, but one of the hardest workers. We’ll have to rally around our younger forwards to step up in the coming weeks,” Cleary said.
The Panthers are currently clinging to a spot in the top eight after enduring an inconsistent stretch of form, including a rare four-game losing streak. With Fisher-Harris now out until at least late August, the club faces a crucial period where every match counts.
Fans will be hoping for a swift recovery as the Panthers aim to keep their premiership hopes alive. In the meantime, rising talent like Lindsay Smith and Spencer Leniu are expected to take on greater responsibility in the forward rotation.
