PANTHERS: 1. Matt MOYLAN, 2. Josh MANSOUR, 3. Dean WHARE, 4. Jamal IDRIS, 5. Dallin WATENE-ZELEZNIAK, 6. Will SMITH, 7. Jamie SOWARD, 8. Sam MCKENDRY, 9. James SEGEYARO, 10. Brent KITE, 11.Sika MANU, 12. Matt ROBINSON, 13.Nigel PLUM
INTERCHANGE: 14. Lewis BROWN, 15. Jeremy LATIMORE, 16. Ben MURDOCH-MASILA, 17. Sam ANDERSON, 18. David SIMMONS
ROOSTERS: 1. Anthony MINICHIELLO (c), 2. Daniel TUPOU, 3. Michael JENNINGS, 4. Shaun KENNY-DOWALL, 5.Roger TUIVASA-SHECK, 6.James MALONEY, 7.Mitchell PEARCE, 8.Jared WAEREA-HARGREAVES, 9.Mitchell AUBUSSON, 10.Sam MOA, 11.Boyd CORDNER, 12.Sonny BILL WILLIAMS, 13.Isaac LIU
INTERCHANGE: 14.Jackson HASTINGS, 15.Remi CASTY, 16.Dylan NAPA, 17.Kane EVANS, 18.Heath L'ESTRANGE
Finals Footy is upon us this weekend as the Panthers travel into Allianz stadium on Saturday to take on minor premiers, the Sydney Roosters in a Qualifying Final.
Having finished 1st and 4th, the winner of this match will earn themselves a week off to prepare for the preliminary finals in two weeks, whilst the loser will get a second chance in the second round of semi-finals next week.
Both teams come into this game with plenty of momentum with wins in the final round of the regular competition. For the Panthers, they put in one of their best performances this year to come away with a comprehensive 22-6 victory over the Warriors, which was built on the back of a solid defensive display across the park. The Roosters, on the other hand, put in an impressive display against South Sydney to come away with a 22-18 victory despite a second half comeback from the Rabbitohs.
These two teams only met once during the regular season competition which was also at Allianz Stadium in Round 19 where the Roosters won 32-12. Despite the score line, this was a very tough and tight affair and this week’s clash is sure to be no different.
Despite losing forwards Dylan Napa and Aiden Guerra through suspension, the Roosters still feature a forward pack that includes representative players such as Sam Moa, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Boyd Cordner and Sonny Bill Williams. The aggression and power that this pack boasts is something that the Panthers forwards will need to contain in order to stop the momentum of the Roosters big men.
An exciting feature of this game will also be the battle of two of the most in form backlines in the competition at the moment. Despite a number of changes over the past two months in personnel, the Panthers have been very impressive in both attack and defence against quality opposition of late. The task for them will again be a difficult one this week as they take on names like Minichiello, Jennings and, of course the halves combination of Maloney and Pearce.
KEY MATCH UPS
Josh Mansour v Roger Tuivasa-Sheck: Two of the most exciting wingers in the game at the moment meet in this clash. The strength and power of Mansour against the footwork and speed of Tuivasa-Sheck will be an exciting battle for the fans to watch.
Matt Moylan v Anthony Minichiello: Despite the massive gap in experience, Moylan has shown this year just how well he handles pressure, and coming off signing a fresh deal with the club, he will be out to prove himself once again against one of the best fullbacks of the modern era.
