Ivan Cleary is happy to risk that Penrith come into their premiership defence cold as he prepares to name a heavily-changed Panthers side for Saturday's trip to face North Queensland.
The Panthers coach confirmed on Tuesday that he would give all of his regular starters a week off after wrapping up the NRL minor premiership and a home game to kick off the finals series.
Hooker Mitch Kenny is expected to skipper the side in the absence of captains Isaah Yeo (rested), Nathan Cleary (suspended) and up to 11 other players.
Cleary said he saw merit in fine-tuning his squad just before the finals.
But given the arduous toll that State of Origin and suspensions have taken on his team in 2022 he has opted to go with a cautious approach for their final game of the regular season.
"There's a good argument, there are pluses for both I reckon," Cleary said.
"In many respects, since round 12 our team has been disrupted but we've been able to get on track and win games.
"There's always a risk and that lands on my doorstep, I'm sure we'll go OK.
"I feel at this time this is the best option for us to prepare for the first week of the finals."
They may have picked a team of fringe first-teamers and reserve-graders to round out their regular season but the Panthers are sparing no expense in their preparation for Saturday night's game in Townsville.
The club has hired its own charter flight to fly north and will fly home late on Saturday night.
Given Melbourne and Parramatta, who could both finish fourth and set up a trip to Penrith in week one, play each other on Thursday the Panthers wanted to return to Sydney as soon as possible.
"All those things come into it," Cleary said.
"Having a solid 11-day preparation going into the first week of the finals will put us in good stead to play that night."
The private jet won't allow for the likes of Dally M hopefuls Yeo and fullback Dylan Edwards to attend the game in person.
The rested duo are both thought to be high in the voting and missing out against the Cowboys could cost them the prize.
Cleary promised to make it up to them, simply saying: "I'll buy them a beer."
