The Panthers will be forced to once again fall back on a largely second string line-up as they bid to get back in the winner's circle in tonight's match-up against the Sharks.
NSW Origin heroes Nathan Cleary, Jarome Luai, Brian To'o and Isaah Yeo have all been cut from Penrith's squad, with Maroons try-scorer Kurt Capewell also rested.
Only Blues bench forward Liam Martin has been retained in the extended squad and is a chance of taking the field against a Cronulla side that is close to full strength.
Ivan Cleary's conservative approach gives tipsters a headache after the Panthers were soundly beaten by the Tigers last Friday and looked rudderless without their Origin stars.
Yet the majority of Nine's tipsters have stuck solid with the premiership favourites, with back-up halves Matt Burton and Tyrone May taking the wheel for a second straight week.
The one change in the spine that could prove significant is the return of hooker Apisai Koroisau, who didn't take part in the Origin series-opener after being named 18th man.
Meanwhile, in the other Friday night match, the Sea Eagles will go without superstar Tom Trbojevic as they host the Cowboys in the early match.
After wreaking havoc against the Maroons as a roaming centre, Trobjevic has been rested by coach Des Hasler, but his brother Jake and captain Daly Cherry-Evans are both expected to back up less than 48 hours after taking the field in Townsville.
On the other side of the field, Maroons winger Kyle Feldt has been rested by the Cowboys after copping a knee in the back on Wednesday.
Just one of the 11 Nine tipsters who have submitted their tips for Round 14 picked the Cowboys to win tonight despite the absence of Sea Eagles' barometer Trbojevic.
Scroll below for the current leaderboard and Round 14 tips by Johns, Fittler and all Nine's expert tipsters!
Andrew Johns: Sea Eagles, Panthers, Roosters, Rabbitohs, Raiders, Storm, Eels, Dragons
Brad Fittler: Sea Eagles, Panthers, Roosters, Rabbitohs, Raiders, Storm, Eels, Dragons
Paul Gallen: Sea Eagles, Sharks, Roosters, Rabbitohs, Raiders, Storm, Eels, Dragons
Peter Sterling: Sea Eagles, Panthers, Roosters, Rabbitohs, Raiders, Storm, Eels, Dragons
Darren Lockyer: Sea Eagles, Panthers, Roosters, Rabbitohs, Broncos, Storm, Eels, Dragons
Wally Lewis: Sea Eagles, Panthers, Roosters, Rabbitohs, Raiders, Storm, Eels, Dragons
Peter Psaltis: Cowboys, Panthers, Roosters, Rabbitohs, Raiders, Storm, Eels, Dragons
James Bracey: Sea Eagles, Panthers, Roosters, Rabbitohs, Raiders, Storm, Eels, Dragons
Mat Thompson: Sea Eagles, Panthers, Titans, Rabbitohs, Raiders, Storm, Eels, Bulldogs
The Mole: Sea Eagles, Sharks, Roosters, Rabbitohs, Raiders, Storm, Eels, Dragons
Tim Elbra: Sea Eagles, Panthers, Roosters, Rabbitohs, Raiders, Storm, Eels, Dragons
Ben Glover: Sea Eagles, Sharks, Roosters, Rabbitohs, Raiders, Storm, Eels, Dragons
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