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Spencer Lenius is hoping to win a spot in Penrith’s grand final squad after a bizarre illness last year.Credit:Getty

“I didn’t feel like I was sick enough to not play,but I thought for the sake of the team I would get a COVID test. I didn’t want to give anything to the boys before a[preliminary] final. It was a hard pill to swallow at the time,definitely. Whether I’m in the team or not I’m going to support the boys 100 per cent.”

Leniu knocked back a number of approaches,including from Craig Bellamy and the Storm,to commit his future to the Panthers late last year. And he could be the Panthers’ x-factor after a head-turning 11 minutes last week in the grand final qualifier.

Penrith co-captain Isaah Yeo said it was nothing unusual for the Panthers to be restricted with who they could put on the training paddock.

“It’s been like this for the last four or five weeks,” Yeo said. “I can’t really remember the last time we had our full 17 ... probably from the Origin period,to be fair with the injuries. It’s obviously not ideal and it’s something we’ve dealt with well over that period.

“Best case scenario would be to have your 1-17 all fit and healthy,but it’s just never the case once you get to this time of year.”

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