NRL
Panthers v Knights
Hunter Stadium, Newcastle
Saturday, 28 March
Kickoff: 3pm
The Panthers will travel to Hunter Stadium this weekend to face an in-form Newcastle side that is high on confidence after winning their first three games of the season.
James Segeyaro hasn't recovered from the lip injury he sustained on Monday night against the Roosters. Apisai Koroisau will replace Segeyaro and become Panther number 547 to play first grade.
Penrith will be eager to put an end to the Knights winning streak and will use last week’s loss to the Roosters as motivation to get back into the winners circle.
Ivan Cleary's top priority this week is to control the ball better than the first few weeks and to play for the full 80 minutes.
The key match up on Saturday will be the battle of the fullbacks. Matt Moylan and Kurt Gidley both possess excellent ball playing skills and often have an opposition defence at their mercy. Moylan stepped up his game last week in the absence of Jamie Soward, to produced tidy attacking raids last week. While Gidley is no stranger to orchestrating iconic try scoring plays and will make it his mission to show the young fullback that he’s still got it.
Notorious Origin hard man Beau Scott will be sure to make sure his presence is felt. He has become the leader of the Knights forwards since his rise from Origin and our in- form forwards like Elijah Taylor and Sika Manu will be keen to return serve with big hits of their own.
PENRITH PANTHERS | Matt Moylan, Josh Mansour, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Dean Whare, Jamal Idris, Isaac John, Peter Wallace, Sam Mckendry, Apisai Koroisau, Brent Kite, Sika Manu, Elijah Taylor, Lewis Brown
INTERCHANGE | Tyrone Peachey, Jeremy Latimore, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Bryce Cartwright.
NSW Cup
Panthers v Knights
Hunter Stadium
Saturday, 28 March
Kickoff: 12.45pm
Our NSW Cup boys endured a rough day at the office against the Jets last week and will be keen to turn their fortunes around when they do battle with the Knights at Hunter Stadium.
Coach Garth Brennan has made a couple of changes ahead of the clash, with George Jennings, Adrian Davis, Kieran Moss and Ben Murdoch-Masila all out injured. A boost for the team is Sam Anderson’s return after he missed last week’s game for the birth of his first child.
The Panthers will be hoping for an improved effort all around the park this weekend to make up for a lacklustre performance last Saturday. The Jets sliding defence was tough to break down and coach Brennan has given halves pairing Will Smith and Sam Scarlett another week to gel against a Knights side that are coming off a loss in a local derby against Wyong.
Veteran Knights captain and ex Penrith star Clint Newton is going to lead the charge for the two premiership points at home. He was a fan favourite during his time at the Panthers, but he is not going to let that stop him from hitting the ball up with the same passion and toughness he’s shown throughout his whole career.
It will be up to our forwards to out-enthuse the Knights forward pack on the weekend. The balance between hard hits and discipline is going to be the key to bouncing back from the loss last week. Penrith’s attacking men were kept fairly quiet in their last outing. After adjusting to their new positions, Waqa Blake and Will Smith are keen to show the Knights that the Panthers are still alive in the competition.
PENRITH PANTHERS | Waqa Blake, Paul Simona, Robert Jennings, Nu’u Akeripa, Eddie Aiona, Will Smith, Sam Scarlett, Sam Anderson, Api Koroisau, Leilani Latu, Tupou Sopoaga, Isaah Yeo, Andy Saunders
INTERCHANGE | Rodney Coates, Brendon Attwood, Chris Smith, Liam Ayoub.
NYC
Panthers v Knights
Hunter Stadium
Saturday, 28 March
Kickoff: 10.45am
Our Under 20’s will have an early start on Saturday to make the journey up to Newcastle to face the Knights in what promises to be a blockbuster Holden Cup match up!
Cameron Ciraldo has named an almost identical squad this week after watching his team produce an improved defensive display against the Roosters. The boy’s attack was exciting and the line held strong in a game that could have gone either way in the second half.
Brent Naden holds onto the fullback jersey after a standout performance, Dylan Edwards comes into the halves for Soni Luke, and Kaide Ellis has earned a spot in the second row. An intimidating bench will also take the field on Saturday with Maliko Filino, Soni Hala, Thompson Tuigamala and Corey Harawira-Naera looking dangerous so far this season.
Our boys will have to be on top of their game against the Knights who aren’t afraid to play tough and grind out results. Their 1 point win against the Titans is proof that the Panthers must not rest on what they achieved last week.
PENRITH PANTHERS | Brent Naden, Braiden Burns, Christian Crichton, Jack Nelson, Joshua Jay, Tyrone May, Dylan Edwards, Oliver Clark, Sione Katoa, Paea Pua, Kaide Ellis, Dave Cowhan, Dylan Fuad
INTERCHANGE | Maliko Filino, Soni Hala, Thompson Tuigamala, Corey Harawira-Naera.
