The grand final rematch has taken on huge significance for the Eels who have started the season 0-3 and are in danger of losing touch with the heavyweights of the competition.
Finding the tryline hasn't been an issue for the Blue and Golds, averaging 23 points per game, but defending it has been, with 80 points and 14 tries piled on by their opponents across the first three rounds.
Coach Brad Arthur has been full of praise for his team's 'effort' but the ease with which their defence is being breached must be a massive concern.
The Panthers found some form against the Rabbitohs in Round 2 before sitting out last weekend with a bye, which may have been a blessing given the extreme heat which a number of sides had to endure.
Panthers coach Ivan Cleary will be looking for continued improvement in his side's cohesion as they get accustomed to life without Viliame Kikau and Api Koroisau.
With Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai calling the shots and Moses Leota and James Fisher-Harris putting them on, the back-to-back champions are ready to slip into overdrive in the next month against the Eels, Raiders, Sea Eagles and Knights.
Match: Eels v Panthers
Round 4 -
home Team
Eels
14th Position
away Team
Panthers
13th Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Team News
Eels: Parramatta will take the field as named, with Ryan Matterson's return from suspension the big Round 4 inclusion for Brad Arthur's side. Matt Doorey moves to the bench and Jack Murchie (head knock) is out. Hooker Brendan Hands has been named to make his NRL debut from the bench.
Panthers: Representative back-rower Liam Martin dropped out of the squad an hour before kick-off due to hamstring injury, which the club described as "minor", and was replaced by Zac Hosking in the starting side. The squad is otherwise unchanged from that which was named mid-week, with Scott Sorensen returning from a head knock and Matt Eisenhuth dropping to 18th man.
Match: Eels v Panthers
Round 4 -
home Team
Eels
away Team
Panthers
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Eels is number 1 Clinton GuthersonFullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan Edwards
-
Winger for Eels is number 2 Maika SivoWinger for Panthers is number 2 Sunia Turuva
-
Centre for Eels is number 3 Will PenisiniCentre for Panthers is number 3 Izack Tago
-
Centre for Eels is number 4 Waqa BlakeCentre for Panthers is number 4 Stephen Crichton
-
Winger for Eels is number 5 Bailey SimonssonWinger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'o
-
Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Dylan BrownFive-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Jarome Luai
-
Halfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell MosesHalfback for Panthers is number 7 Nathan Cleary
Forwards
-
Prop for Eels is number 8 Reagan Campbell-GillardProp for Panthers is number 8 Moses Leota
-
Hooker for Eels is number 9 Josh HodgsonHooker for Panthers is number 9 Mitch Kenny
-
Prop for Eels is number 10 Junior PauloProp for Panthers is number 10 James Fisher-Harris
-
2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Bryce Cartwright2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Luke Garner
-
2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Ryan Matterson2nd Row for Panthers is number 19 Zac Hosking
-
Lock for Eels is number 13 J'maine HopgoodLock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah Yeo
Interchange
-
Interchange for Eels is number 14 Matt DooreyInterchange for Panthers is number 14 Soni Luke
-
Interchange for Eels is number 15 Brendan HandsInterchange for Panthers is number 15 Scott Sorensen
-
Interchange for Eels is number 16 Wiremu GreigInterchange for Panthers is number 16 Spencer Leniu
-
Interchange for Eels is number 17 Makahesi MakatoaInterchange for Panthers is number 17 Jaeman Salmon
Reserves
-
Replacement for Eels is number 18 Jake ArthurReplacement for Panthers is number 18 Matthew Eisenhuth
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Touch Judge: Liam Kennedy
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Senior Review Official: Adam Gee
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Eels are aiming to avoid their first 0-4 start to a season since 2018.
- The Panthers have won six of their past eight games against the Eels.
- Eels winger Maika Sivo has scored 38 tries in 39 games at CommBank Stadium.
- Panthers mentor Ivan Cleary will reach a career total of 400 games as NRL coach.
- The Eels have won their last two games against the Panthers at CommBank Stadium.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
