Panthers coach Ivan Cleary is reportedly weighing up a massive selection call for Saturday’s elimination final against the Warriors, and it could see one of the success stories of 2025 brutally axed. The Panthers will travel to Auckland to take on the Warriors on Saturday evening, with the winner advancing and the loser eliminated.
Cleary’s side aren’t used to facing elimination so early in the finals, and it means the stakes are higher than ever. On Monday afternoon, the ‘League Scene’ podcast account reported ‘whispers’ doing the rounds that Cleary is leaning towards having Paul Alamoti in the team to take on the Warriors.
But in a brutal twist, it could see Thomas Jenkins axed. “With Paul Alamoti’s recent strong run of performances and big game performances in the finals for the Panthers, Ivan Cleary is reportedly contemplating a spot for Alamoti given his strong showings in last year’s finals series, with Tom Jenkins emerging as the possible casualty,” the ‘League Scene’ wrote.
“These are whispers we’ve heard strongly over the course of today. Alamoti is being strongly considered for the trip to Auckland.”
Thomas Jenkins enjoying fairytale season
Jenkins has enjoyed a fairytale year with the Panthers after starting the year playing for St Mary’s in the third-tier Ron Massey Cup. The winger has played 21 games in first-grade this season, scoring the second-most tries for the Panthers with 13.
Alamoti played the first 12 rounds of the season in first-grade but fell out of favour when the Panthers finally got their full-strength back-line together. He’s scored 12 tries in just 16 games and has more big-game experience than Jenkins having helped the Panthers win the premiership in 2025 and scoring a try in the grand final.
Jenkins came into first-grade in Round 3 and hasn’t lost his spot ever since. Alamoti has taken his opportunity in recent weeks after star winger Brian To’o received two weeks off to rest. But with To’o back on deck for the finals, Cleary is reportedly finding it hard to leave Alamoti out after some strong performances over the last month.
It would be a devastating blow for Jenkins, who’s never played a finals game. “This year has been one of my favourite years so far,” he said earlier in the season. “The goal is to be a regular first-grader and I’ve strived for that as such. I spoke earlier in the year that getting the opportunity was so good and I’ve enjoyed it so much, but now it’s more about playing consistent footy – selections will take care of itself.”
