After a long season, Penrith and South Sydney now find themselves just 80 minutes away from a Grand Final appearance as the two sides prepare to face off in Saturday's Preliminary Final.
The minor premiers and defending champions, Penrith will come into the contest well rested and ready for the clash, having enjoyed a week off after downing Parramatta in their Qualifying Final a fortnight ago.
Given coach Ivan Cleary rested 13 of his players in their final regular season game of the year against the Cowboys, the majority of Penrith's side will head into Saturday's Preliminary Final having played just one game in close to four weeks — priming them for a mouthwatering clash against the red-hot Rabbitohs.
South Sydney once again booked their ticket in the Preliminary Finals — as they have done for the past five years now — with a convincing victory over Cronulla just six days after a similarly dominant win over the Roosters at Allianz Stadium.
Grand Final rematch for a place in the decider
The cardinal and myrtle are no strangers to facing the men from the mountain sin the finals, having gone down to Penrith in each of the last three years finals series — headlined by last year's Grand Final defeat and that Stephen Crichton try.
So will it be the Rabbitohs who finally deliver the knockout finals blow they have been unable to land in the last three years against Penrith, or will it be the Panthers who continue their dominance and secure their spot in a third straight Grand Final?
Team effort the key to victory: Cleary
The Rundown
Team news
Panthers: No injury concerns for the Panthers after a week off, but the minor premiers will be without Taylan May after he accepted a one-week ban for his high tackle on Will Penisini in Penrith's Qualifying Final. His omission sees Charlie Staines come into the side on the wing for his 14th game of the season after he was 18th Man in week one. Spencer Leniu is free to play after accepting a monetary fine for his high tackle. Api Koroisau has been named to start at hooker but could swap with Mitch Kenny on game day as they did against the Eels.
NRL Teamlist Video: Preliminary Final v Rabbitohs
Rabbitohs: Bench forward Siliva Havili (calf) will miss the match, replaced by Jed Cartwright, who has recovered from a hamstring injury and will play his first game since Round 20. Prolific winger Alex Johnston (hip flexor) and back-rower Jai Arrow (groin) have been named to play despite failing to finish the semi-final against the Sharks. Johnston said on Tuesday that he was "touch and go" but confident of taking his place come Saturday night. Veteran winger Josh Mansour has not played since Round 8 but is listed among the reserves and could be a chance to return if Johnston fails to come up. Thomas Burgess will also be unavailable for selection as he serves the second game of his two-game ban following a high shot in last week's Elimination Final victory over the Roosters.
Match: Panthers v Rabbitohs
Finals Week 3 -
home Team
Panthers
away Team
Rabbitohs
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan EdwardsFullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Latrell Mitchell
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Winger for Panthers is number 2 Charlie StainesWinger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Taane Milne
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Centre for Panthers is number 3 Izack TagoCentre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Isaiah Tass
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Centre for Panthers is number 4 Stephen CrichtonCentre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Campbell Graham
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Winger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'oWinger for Rabbitohs is number 21 Richard Kennar
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Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Jarome LuaiFive-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Cody Walker
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Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Nathan ClearyHalfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Lachlan Ilias
Forwards
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Prop for Panthers is number 8 Moses LeotaProp for Rabbitohs is number 8 Tevita Tatola
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Hooker for Panthers is number 14 Mitch KennyHooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Damien Cook
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Prop for Panthers is number 10 James Fisher-HarrisProp for Rabbitohs is number 10 Mark Nicholls
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2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Viliame Kikau2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 Keaon Koloamatangi
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2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Liam Martin2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Jai Arrow
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Lock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah YeoLock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Cameron Murray
Interchange
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Interchange for Panthers is number 9 Apisai KoroisauInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Kodi Nikorima
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Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Scott SorensenInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Hame Sele
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Interchange for Panthers is number 16 Spencer LeniuInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Michael Chee Kam
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Interchange for Panthers is number 17 Jaeman SalmonInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Jed Cartwright
Reserves
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Replacement for Panthers is number 18 Sean O'SullivanReplacement for Rabbitohs is number 18 Davvy Moale
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Senior Review Official: Gerard Sutton
Last updated:
Key Match-ups
Apisai Koroisau v Damien Cook: Blues teammates Apisai Koroisau and Damien Cook will go head-to-head on Saturday as they square off in an intriguing clash between the two number nines. Remarkably, Cook has lost more games against Koroisau than any other hooker in his career with just three wins and eight defeats from their 11 matchups. The Rabbitohs rake has set up four tries in his last six games and continues to be a threat close to the line — as does his opposite number, Koroisau, whose 12 try assists this year are more than he has recorded in the last four years combined.
Nathan Cleary v Lachlan Ilias: Cleary returned from his month-long suspension with aplomb against Parramatta, dominating the Eels with his superb kicking game to book the Panthers' spot in another Qualifying Final. There's no doubting the talent and class of the Kangaroos hopeful and, if he is on his game against the Rabbitohs, will go a long way towards sending Penrith to another Grand Final. His opposite number, Ilias, however, has been highly impressive over the past month and continues to improve the deeper the Rabbitohs go in this year's finals. As important as his attack is Ilias' defensive work in forcing turnover tackles — a department he'll certainly have his hands full with on Saturday with Viliame Kikau running at him all night.
Goalkicking Masterclass: Nathan Cleary
Stat Attack
No team has conceded fewer points this year than Penrith, who average just 13.5 points against per game. One quarter of the tries the Panthers have conceded this year, however, come from kicks, which could open the door for the Rabbitohs to cause some problems on Saturday night. The strength of South Sydney is their running game, however, with the Rabbitohs recording more linebreaks and linebreak assists than any team this year. Souths also rank first when it comes to metres gained from offloads, a department the Panthers will need to keep an eye on if they are to shut down the dangerous attacking players of their opponents.
