Concerns have begun to surface for the Penrith Panthers, and interestingly, it's not about Isaah Yeo.
Just a fortnight ago, I was fairly convinced that the Panthers were on track to secure the 2026 NRL premiership.
They could still achieve this goal.
However, my confidence has significantly diminished, and now I harbor very serious worries.
This isn't due to a lack of talent or coaching staff.
They have a proven track record of success, having won numerous titles, making their loss in last year's preliminary final surprising.
What's truly alarming is a singular, glaring issue.
And no, it's not the absence of Isaah Yeo.
The troubling aspect is that with only three regular season games remaining before the Finals, the team remains uncertain about their halfback combination.
It's rare to see a strong title contender so close to the finals without a definitive first-choice halves pairing.
Nathan Cleary is widely recognized as not just one of the best playmakers of the modern game but also of this generation.