PENRITH PANTHERS VS MANLY SEA EAGLES
MONDAY 18TH MAY
KICK-OFF: 7PM
BROOKVALE OVAL
The Panthers are on the road again this weekend to face the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles at Brookvale Oval on Monday night. The sides last met in round 6 where Penrith came out on top at home 22 points to 12.
Manly’s season is back on track after successive wins and a victory over the mountain men will be needed to get them off the bottom of the ladder.
Ivan Cleary has named his team to bounce back from the narrow loss against the Broncos. Jamie Soward starts at halfback in his second game back with Api Koroisau named at five-eighth, James Segeyaro returns to hooker and Sika Manu takes his place on the bench. Will Smith is the 18th man.
Last week against Brisbane the boys delivered the toughness and grit Cleary knows they’ve been capable of all season. The return of Jamie Soward added the composure and consistent fifth tackle kicking game to stay in the contest with the ladder leading Broncos until the 79th minute.
KEY MATCH UPS
HALFBACK
This week Soward goes head to head with Daly Cherry-Evans. How the two opposing halfback’s control their sets will determine the result on Monday. Soward’s outstanding kicking game and deadly selection of bullet passes have given Panther fans plenty to cheer about. On the other side of the coin; Cherry-Evans is being groomed to lead Queensland in State Of Origin in the future and will be looking to impress selectors.
FULLBACK
The battle of the fullbacks will be another test for Panthers star Matt Moylan as he takes on former NSW Blues representative Brett Stewart. A great performance by Moylan will edge him closer to the coveted number one jersey for the Blues squad. For the Panthers Moylan has been brilliant. He’s been the go to man when the game’s on the line. The man they call “The Snake” however loves playing at Brookvale Oval and will be out to add to his 151 career tries.
HOOKER
James Segeyaro and Matt Ballin are both pivotal to their teams success, with the delivery from dummy half an integral factor in both sides going forward. Segeyaro has transformed his overall game since coming to the Penrith and Matt Ballin provides plenty of experience and consistency to Manly’s team. With the Origin period just around the corner both players will want to ensure Queensland selectors know what they can do if they are required.
PENRITH PANTHERS | Matt Moylan, George Jennings, David Simmons, Waqa Blake, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Api Koroisau, Jame Soward, Nigel Plum, James Segeyaro, Sam Mckendry, Lewis Brown, Isaah Yeo, Elijah Taylor, Bryce Cartwright, Jeremy Latimore, Sika Manu, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Will Smith.
