The Dragons were outmuscled by the Dolphins in Redcliffe and won't find life any easier when they hit the road to take on Ivan Cleary's Panthers at home on Sunday.
The Dragons looked to be on the rise after a last-gasp victory over the Roosters in Ryan Carr's first match at the helm but the Red V will need to find their momentum again after their ninth loss of the season left them languishing in 17th place after Round 13.
While young halves duo Jayden Sullivan and Talatau Amone showed promising signs in attack for the Dragons, Carr will no doubt be hoping a four-day turnaround is enough to ensure Maroons star Ben Hunt will return to take on the reigning premiers.
Meanwhile, with six Panthers set to feature for the Blues in Wednesday's State of Origin series opener, Penrith will be thankful to have landed a Sunday match.
Having won all five matches throughout last year's Origin period, Cleary should have full confidence in whoever pulls on a Panthers jersey on Sunday and was expected to use the match as an opportunity to test emerging NSW Cup stars on the big stage, however all his Blues players have been named to back up.
Match: Panthers v Dragons
Round 14 -
home Team
Panthers
3rd Position
away Team
Dragons
17th Position
Venue: BlueBet Stadium, Penrith
Team News
Panthers: There have been a couple changes to the 17 that downed the Broncos in Round 12. Izack Tago comes into centre with Tyrone Peachey now the 18th player. Jack Cogger also comes into the interchange bench for Soni Luke. However Penrith's full Origin contingent of Nathan Cleary, Jarome Luai, Liam Martin, Stephen Crichton, Isaah Yeo and Brian To'o are all set to back up. Earlier in the week, prop Spencer Leniu came into the squad 24 hours before kick-off, returning from a groin injury with Jaeman Salmon the man to make way.
Dragons: The Dragons have also made late changes to their team an hour from kick off. Jayden Sullivan moves into starting five-eighth in place of Talatau Amone, while Moses Mbye moves onto the bench, promoted from 18th player. Toby Couchman is the new replacement player. Skipper Ben Hunt has been named to back from Origin where he played 52 minutes in the Maroons win. Jaydn Su’A will return from a knee injury.
Match: Panthers v Dragons
Round 14 -
home Team
Panthers
away Team
Dragons
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan EdwardsFullback for Dragons is number 1 Tyrell Sloan
-
Winger for Panthers is number 2 Sunia TuruvaWinger for Dragons is number 2 Mathew Feagai
-
Centre for Panthers is number 4 Stephen CrichtonCentre for Dragons is number 3 Mosese Suli
-
Centre for Panthers is number 23 Izack TagoCentre for Dragons is number 4 Zac Lomax
-
Winger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'oWinger for Dragons is number 5 Mikaele Ravalawa
-
Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Jarome LuaiFive-Eighth for Dragons is number 14 Jayden Sullivan
-
Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Nathan ClearyHalfback for Dragons is number 7 Ben Hunt
Forwards
-
Prop for Panthers is number 8 Moses LeotaProp for Dragons is number 8 Francis Molo
-
Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Mitch KennyHooker for Dragons is number 9 Jacob Liddle
-
Prop for Panthers is number 10 James Fisher-HarrisProp for Dragons is number 10 Michael Molo
-
2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Scott Sorensen2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Billy Burns
-
2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Zac Hosking2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Jaydn Su'a
-
Lock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah YeoLock for Dragons is number 13 Jack De Belin
Interchange
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Lindsay SmithInterchange for Dragons is number 15 Ben Murdoch-Masila
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 16 Liam MartinInterchange for Dragons is number 16 Jaiyden Hunt
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 18 Jack CoggerInterchange for Dragons is number 17 Josh Kerr
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 24 Spencer LeniuInterchange for Dragons is number 18 Moses Mbye
Reserves
-
Replacement for Panthers is number 3 Tyrone PeacheyReplacement for Dragons is number 19 Toby Couchman
Match Officials
- Referee: Chris Sutton
- Touch Judge: Wyatt Raymond
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Panthers' completion rate of 82 per cent is the best in the NRL.
- Panthers fullback Dylan Edwards has broken more tackles than any other player this season with 81.
- The Panthers have won their past five matches against the Dragons.
- The Dragons have won only one of their past six games at BlueBet Stadium.
- The Panthers have conceded a total of 14 points in their past three games.
- The Dragons have lost seven from seven away from home this season.
- The Panthers have won 30 of their past 33 games at BlueBet Stadium
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
