Both sides are coming off losses in Round 4 but the Panthers will be feeling considerably more positive about themselves than a Canberra outfit that was well below its best in Newcastle.
The premiers opened the round with an epic 17-16 loss to the Eels in a match that went down to the wire and beyond while the Raiders had a Sunday afternoon to forget as they gave up a 14-8 half-time lead to go down 24-14 to the Knights.
Compounding matters for the Raiders was the sin binning of five-eighth for high contact on Jackson Hastings, with the star No.6 charged on Monday and facing a two-game ban.
The Knights had too much flair in attack and made easy metres in the second half, an issue Raiders coach Ricky Stuart will need to address this week as they look to contain the potent Panthers backline.
The Panthers' back three of Dylan Edwards (313m), Sunia Turuva (319m) and Brian To'o (240m) ran for an astonishing 872 metres between them against Parramatta and will make Canberra pay if they are given any latitude on kick returns.
In Round 21 last year the two sides clashed in Canberra and it was Isaah Yeo and Moses Leota laying the platform for a comfortable Panthers victory, their 18th of the season from 20 games as they powered towards another minor premiership.
They may not have looked quite as formidable in 2023 without Api Koroisau and Viliame Kikau, but it looks to be only a matter of time before the champs click into gear and the Raiders will need to be at their absolute best to keep them at bay.
Match: Raiders v Panthers
Round 5 -
home Team
Raiders
16th Position
away Team
Panthers
9th Position
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
Team News
Raiders: No late changes for Ricky Stuart's men. Winger Jordan Rapana makes a welcome return from suspension with James Schiller dropping out. Halfback Jamal Fogarty returns after missing the Knights game due to illness so Matt Frawley switches to five-eighth to cover for the suspended Jack Wighton, who will miss two games.
Panthers: The Panthers will take the field as named mid-week. Luke Garner is being rested as he battles some niggles so Scott Sorensen comes into the starting side and Lindsay Smith joins the bench. World Cup star Liam Martin remains sidelined with a hamstring injury and hooker Soni Luke is also out after suffering a head knock in Round 4. Tyrone Peachey is the new man on the bench to cover for Luke.
Match: Raiders v Panthers
Round 5 -
home Team
Raiders
away Team
Panthers
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Sebastian KrisFullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan Edwards
-
Winger for Raiders is number 2 Albert HopoateWinger for Panthers is number 2 Sunia Turuva
-
Centre for Raiders is number 3 Matthew TimokoCentre for Panthers is number 3 Izack Tago
-
Centre for Raiders is number 4 Harley Smith-ShieldsCentre for Panthers is number 4 Stephen Crichton
-
Winger for Raiders is number 5 Jordan RapanaWinger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'o
-
Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Matt FrawleyFive-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Jarome Luai
-
Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Jamal FogartyHalfback for Panthers is number 7 Nathan Cleary
Forwards
-
Prop for Raiders is number 8 Josh PapaliiProp for Panthers is number 8 Moses Leota
-
Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Zac WoolfordHooker for Panthers is number 9 Mitch Kenny
-
Prop for Raiders is number 10 Joseph TapineProp for Panthers is number 10 James Fisher-Harris
-
2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Scott Sorensen
-
2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Elliott Whitehead2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Zac Hosking
-
Lock for Raiders is number 13 Corey Harawira-NaeraLock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah Yeo
Interchange
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Tom StarlingInterchange for Panthers is number 14 Tyrone Peachey
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Emre GulerInterchange for Panthers is number 15 Lindsay Smith
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Pasami SauloInterchange for Panthers is number 16 Spencer Leniu
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Corey HorsburghInterchange for Panthers is number 17 Jaeman Salmon
Reserves
-
Replacement for Raiders is number 18 Brad SchneiderReplacement for Panthers is number 19 Jack Cogger
Match Officials
- Referee: Adam Gee
- Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Senior Review Official: Ben Cummins
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Raiders have won six of their past seven games at GIO Stadium.
- The Panthers have won eight of their past 10 games against the Raiders.
- Raiders second-rower Hudson Young has scored eight tries in his past 10 NRL games.
- Panthers co-captain Isaah Yeo will make his 200th NRL appearance.
- Raiders prop Joseph Tapine will play his 150th game for the club.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
