Reporter Dean Ritchie has slammed the Panthers for resting 16 players, accusing the club of “taking the piss” and showing they “don’t give a sh*t” about their clash with the Bulldogs.

The Panthers have made the stunning decision to rest 16 of their frontline players for Thursday night’s game at Accor Stadium.

With a top four finish virtually out of reach for Penrith, coach Ivan Cleary has decided to freshen his players up ahead of the finals, and in doing so, has handed the Bulldogs a huge advantage.

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Brad Schneider, who has been named at halfback in the absence of Nathan Cleary, is the only player picked to take on the Bulldogs who was also in the Panthers’ 17 that lost a thriller to the Raiders last week.

Schneider didn’t actually take the field for the Panthers, but he was in their 17.

Ritchie took aim at Penrith over their decision with just two rounds to go before the finals.

“Resting 16 players, is that showing integrity?” Ritchie asked on NRL 360.

“I would argue no.

”I just wonder whether 16 players is good for the game? Is it good for the fans? Is it good for the broadcasters?

“Does it set a good example? I don’t think it does.

“Resting one or two, I can live with, 16, it’s taking the piss.

“And they’re going to play the Bulldogs into a victory just before the finals.

“It gives their finals opponent a leg-up.”

But journalist Paul Crawley defended Penrith’s controversial call.

“They’re not breaking any rules,” Crawley said.

“The Panthers in the last two weeks, despite going down, have pushed the two leading contenders (the Storm and Raiders) right to the wire.

“They know regardless of where they finish, they’ve got the firepower if they’re fresh to win the comp.

“And the fact is, right, those two losses, they would need everything to go their way now to finish top four.

“They go into the finals with their guns fresh.

“They’re every chance.”

Host Braith Anasta went a step further and praised the Panthers’ decision.

“I love it. It’s extremely smart,” Anasta said.

Before Ritchie interjected.

“Is it in their DNA to roll over like this?” Ritchie asked.

“They’re not rolling over.” Anasta replied.

“They’re outsmarting you.”

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