Match Preview: Panthers v Warriors

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Wed 24 Aug 2022, 08:57 AM

While top spot on the NRL ladder is already guaranteed for the Panthers, they’ll be eager to put on a good performance on Friday night ahead of being presented with the J.J. Giltinan Shield as minor premiers at BlueBet Stadium, while the Warriors are preparing to face a top-two side for the second week in a row.

Penrith made a statement in defeating the in-form Rabbitohs 26-22 last week and established an unassailable lead at the top of the table in the process, and will now need to find a balance over the next fortnight between keeping their powder dry for the finals and ensuring they remain in form for the arrival of sudden death footy.

Warriors coach Stacey Jones said as much as half of his team showed poor attitudes when the going got tough in last week’s 48-4 loss to the Cowboys, and he'll know they'll face a similar outcome this week if they don’t improve drastically.

Penrith were 40-6 winners the last time they met in round 15, and the Warriors have lost their last five meetings with the Panthers dating back to 2019.

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Panthers v Warriors: Round 24

The Rundown

Team news

Panthers: Jarome Luai returns a week ahead of schedule from a knee injury and James Fisher-Harris is also back from suspension. Matt Eisenhuth moves to the bench and J'maine Hopgood to the reserves list. Scott Sorensen remains sidelined with a calf issue.

NRL Teamlist Video: Round 24

Warriors: Chanel Harris-Tavita returns from a knee injury and takes over at five-eighth from Daejarn Asi while Josh Curran moves into the second row in place of Jack Murchie. The new man on the bench is Dunamis Lui. Mate Ma’a Tonga forward Ben Murdoch-Masila has been named on the bench to return from the elbow injury that has kept him out since Round 14. Euan Aitken will miss the game for personal reasons.

Round 24 - Round 24 - Friday 26 Aug

Full Time

Panthers

Warriors

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan Edwards

Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Reece Walsh
Winger for Panthers is number 2 Taylan May

Winger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
Centre for Panthers is number 3 Izack Tago

Centre for Warriors is number 3 Viliami Vailea
Centre for Panthers is number 4 Stephen Crichton

Centre for Warriors is number 18 Adam Pompey
Winger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'o

Winger for Warriors is number 5 Edward Kosi
Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Jarome Luai

Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Chanel Harris-Tavita
Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Sean O'Sullivan

Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Shaun Johnson

Forwards

Prop for Panthers is number 8 Moses Leota

Prop for Warriors is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Apisai Koroisau

Hooker for Warriors is number 14 Freddy Lussick
Prop for Panthers is number 10 James Fisher-Harris

Prop for Warriors is number 10 Tohu Harris
2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Viliame Kikau

2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Josh Curran
2nd Row for Panthers is number 20 Chris Smith

2nd Row for Warriors is number 16 Eliesa Katoa
Lock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah Yeo

Lock for Warriors is number 15 Dunamis Lui

Interchange

Interchange for Panthers is number 14 Mitch Kenny

Interchange for Warriors is number 13 Bunty Afoa
Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Matthew Eisenhuth

Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Tom Ale
Interchange for Panthers is number 16 Spencer Leniu

Interchange for Warriors is number 21 Ben Murdoch-Masila
Interchange for Panthers is number 19 J'maine Hopgood

Interchange for Warriors is number 23 Taniela Otukolo

Reserves

Replacement for Panthers is number 18 Sunia Turuva

Replacement for Warriors is number 24 Jackson Frei

Match Officials

Referee: Chris Butler
Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein

Last updated: 9/7/2024 12:26:16 PM

Key match-up

Isaah Yeo v Tohu Harris: They will wear different jersey numbers, but on the field they are playing the same role. Yeo was as busy as ever in round 23, making 45 tackles to go with his 173 run metres, and his role for the Panthers has become even more important in the absence of Nathan Cleary. Since returning from an ACL injury in round 10 Harris has been a pillar of strength for the Warriors, and is on track to claim his third-straight Player of the Year gong at the club. With 60 receptions of the ball in his past two games, the veteran is the key organiser for his side alongside Shaun Johnson.

In Their Words: Marto's Match Winner

Stat Attack

It has been almost four months since the Warriors last won a match on Australian soil, with their only two wins since round 8 coming back at Mount Smart Stadium. This week they take on the NRL’s equal-best home team, with the Panthers having won nine of 11 games at BlueBet Stadium this season.