Coach Ivan Cleary is open to resting Penrith's State of Origin contingent after finding success giving his stars a break during last year's series.
Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo, Jarome Luai, Stephen Crichton, Brian To'o and Liam Martin have all been named to face St George Illawarra on Sunday, four days after lining up for NSW in the Origin series-opener at Adelaide Oval.
But all six are able to be withdrawn closer to kick-off, with that prospect all the more likely given Izack Tago, Matt Eisenhuth and Spencer Leniu are chances to return from injury.
After struggling to handle conflicting Origin demands in 2021, the Panthers went through the period undefeated last year.
Six of Penrith's seven representatives backed up after Origin I last year, and all seven did the same following the second game.
But Cleary controversially rested all seven after Origin III, with the understrength Panthers still defeating Wests Tigers.
The gamble paid off.
With their star players refreshed, Penrith went on to win seven of their last 10 games on the way to a second-straight premiership.
The Panthers will have players coming in and out of training throughout the Origin period, and with three-day and four-day turnarounds after the second and third games, resting star men is set to be an option again.
Coach Cleary said positive results yielded by his roster management last year would inform his approach this time around.
"We've got some contingency plans around that," he said.
"A lot goes into it, from the whole schedule to how they've been going, all that kind of stuff. It's a bit (of a) formula.
"I was really happy with last year. We definitely learned a bit from the previous year.
"It doesn't mean you ever think you've got it nailed but we know a bit more about it now."
Leniu (testicle), Tago (pectoral) and Eisenhuth (shoulder) are all chances to return from injury to face the Dragons after being named in the reserves.
"They're looking pretty good. It's a Sunday game so there's a fair bit to go before then," Cleary said.
"Everyone's actually looking all right. I've got a few decisions to make later in the week."
