In one of the most bizarre selections in recent NRL memory, the Penrith Panthers have reportedly named front-row enforcer Moses Leota as their replacement halfback for this weekend’s clash against arch-rivals South Sydney Rabbitohs, following the shock “resting” of star No.7 Nathan Cleary.
Cleary, the heart and soul of Penrith’s attacking machine, has apparently been given a week off to “rest his brain” in preparation for the finals – a move that has left fans scratching their heads and opposition clubs in disbelief.
Enter Moses Leota.
Known for his bone-rattling defence and bulldozing runs through the middle, Leota will now wear the No.7 jersey – not as a jersey mix-up, but as an actual tactical experiment. Head coach Ivan Cleary told reporters, “Look, we’ve always believed Moses had a silky passing game hidden under all that muscle. We just never had the guts to try it — until now.”
Leota, who hasn’t passed a ball more than five metres since under-16s, was reportedly seen at training attempting chip-and-chase drills and yelling “shape!” at teammates. When asked about the shift, Leota simply said, “I’ve been watching Cleary closely. How hard can it be?”
Meanwhile, over in Redfern, the Rabbitohs are gearing up for what they’re calling “the strangest game of the season.” Star fullback Latrell Mitchell, who already plays like three players in one, has been handed additional duties, including goal-kicking, playmaking, and — according to inside sources — possibly even driving the team bus to BlueBet Stadium.
Rabbitohs coach Jason Demetriou confirmed, “Latrell asked for more responsibility. So, we said sure. He’s driving, he’s playing fullback, and he’s also coordinating our defensive line on WhatsApp.”
The Panthers currently sit comfortably in the top four, while the Rabbitohs are clawing for a late finals surge — making Saturday’s game a must-win for Souths, and a high-risk experiment for Penrith.
Whether this Leota-Cleary swap is tactical genius or the start of a new footy meme remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: fans won’t want to miss this one.
