The Panthers are just one win away from clinching the minor premiership but face a tough test this week as they take on an in-form Rabbitohs side which is charging its way towards a top-four finish.
With Latrell Mitchell causing havoc at the back and Alex Johnston scoring tries for fun, South Sydney have won six of their past seven matches (including one Golden Point defeat) to find themselves just two points outside the top four.
The 2021 Telstra Premiership Grand Final rematch comes in the midst of a challenging run for the cardinal and myrtle, with games against the Cowboys (second) and Roosters (eighth) set to follow Thursday's heavyweight showdown.
Their focus won't be any further than this week, however, with the Panthers no doubt determined to put their last-start defeat behind them and set their sights on a complete 80-minute performance ahead of another finals campaign.
Panthers join in preparations with Haka Warriors
The Rundown
Team news
Panthers: Fullback Dylan Edwards was a late scratching last week but returns from a sternum injury so Charlie Staines goes to the bench and Robert Jennings to 18th Man. Liam Martin has been cleared to play despite rolling his ankle injury against Souths. Sunia Turuva keeps his spot on the wing with Taylan May (shoulder) still another week away.
NRL Teamlist Video: Round 23
Rabbitohs: Latrell Mitchell has been named at fullback despite leaving the training paddock early on Monday with a groin issue. Centre Campbell Graham returns from a fractured cheekbone sustained in Round 16 so Jaxson Paulo goes to the wing and Izaac Thompson drops to the reserves. After dropping out late last week, young halfback Lachlan Ilias is back in the No.7 jersey but Thomas Burgess (groin) remains sidelined. Daniel Suluka-Fifita is back in the starting side after missing Round 22 with a back complaint so Hame Sele goes to the bench.
Match: Rabbitohs v Panthers
Round 23 -
home Team
Rabbitohs
away Team
Panthers
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Latrell MitchellFullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan Edwards
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Winger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Alex JohnstonWinger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'o
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Centre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Isaiah TassCentre for Panthers is number 3 Izack Tago
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Centre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Campbell GrahamCentre for Panthers is number 4 Stephen Crichton
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Winger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Jaxson PauloWinger for Panthers is number 20 Taylan May
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Five-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Cody WalkerFive-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Jaeman Salmon
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Halfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Lachlan IliasHalfback for Panthers is number 7 Sean O'Sullivan
Forwards
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Prop for Rabbitohs is number 8 Tevita TatolaProp for Panthers is number 8 Moses Leota
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Hooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Damien CookHooker for Panthers is number 14 Mitch Kenny
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Prop for Rabbitohs is number 10 Daniel Suluka-FifitaProp for Panthers is number 10 Matthew Eisenhuth
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2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 Keaon Koloamatangi2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Viliame Kikau
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2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Jai Arrow2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Liam Martin
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Lock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Cameron MurrayLock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah Yeo
Interchange
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Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Taane MilneInterchange for Panthers is number 9 Apisai Koroisau
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Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Mark NichollsInterchange for Panthers is number 16 Spencer Leniu
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Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Siliva HaviliInterchange for Panthers is number 17 Charlie Staines
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Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Hame SeleInterchange for Panthers is number 19 J'maine Hopgood
Reserves
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Replacement for Rabbitohs is number 18 Blake TaaffeReplacement for Panthers is number 2 Sunia Turuva
Match Officials
- Referee: Adam Gee
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Touch Judge: Darian Furner
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Key Match-up
Alex Johnston v Brian To'o: With high-quality match-ups right across the park, Thursday's game could well come down to the chances created for the outside backs, and there's few better exponents of finishing than Johnston and To'o. With another double against the Eels, Johnston is on the verge of securing another Ken Irvine Medal with 25 tries in 20 games this year, including 11 in his last six. His matchup against To'o - a player with a contrasting game but similarly prolific finishing ability - will be fascinating to watch. No winger averages more metres (189.9) or runs (18.7) than the Panthers powerhouse, and his ability to get the men from the mountain on the front foot will be pivotal if they are to get the result in this one.
Stat Attack
With halves Jarome Luai (knee) and Nathan Cleary (suspended) sidelined, Penrith's completion rate has dropped from a competition-leading 82 percent to 75 percent in the last fortnight, the same rate as the Rabbitohs have this year. Despite South Sydney coming into Round 23 with the equal worst completion rate in the competition, it hasn't stopped Jason Demetriou's side from piling on the points, with the Rabbitohs ranking third for points and second for tries among all teams this year.
