Match Preview: Panthers v Knights

Panthers v Knights: Origin contingent rested; Saifiti good to go

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Sat 24 Jun 2023, 04:31 PM

After playing out a golden point thriller two months ago, the Panthers and Knights meet again after both suffering narrow losses in Round 16.

Newcastle had their hearts broken when Nathan Cleary kicked Penrith to a 16-15 win back in Round 7, and since then things have been a struggle for Adam O'Brien's men, with just two wins from their last seven games.

The Panthers on the other hand were the competition's hottest team prior to suffering defeat at the hands of the Cowboys in golden point last Friday, in what was their first loss since the end of April.

Penrith have had it all over the Knights in recent times and haven't lost to them in their past seven meetings, while stretching back to 2014 Newcastle have tasted victory over this week's opponent just twice in 16 meetings.

At BlueBet Stadium this year the Panthers have won four of five games, with their sole loss coming in their season opener against the Broncos.

Sportsbet Betting Preview - Panthers v Knights

Team News

Panthers: No further changes on game day after the club's Origin reps dropped out on Friday. Tyrone Peachey starts at centre, Thomas Jenkins on the wing while Jaeman Salmon returns to the halves to partner Jack Cogger. Scott Sorensen and Zac Hosking are the back row duo while Matt Eisenhuth shifts back to lock for Isaah Yeo. Luke Garner joins the bench in jersey 20 with Liam Henry named as 18th Man.

Knights: The Knights are 1-17 with no late changes. Daniel Saifiti takes his place in the starting front row after missing last week with a sternum issue, while Greg Marzhew returns on the wing after being dropped last week for failing to meet team standards. Tyson Frizell is set to back up from Origin II, but rookie Dylan Lucas keeps his spot due to Lachlan Fitzgibbon being stood down after failing a HIA in Round 16. Brodie Jones remains in the squad as 18th Man.

Round 17 - Round 17 - Saturday 24 Jun

Full Time

Panthers

Knights

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan Edwards

Fullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn Ponga
Winger for Panthers is number 2 Sunia Turuva

Winger for Knights is number 2 Dominic Young
Centre for Panthers is number 3 Izack Tago

Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
Centre for Panthers is number 21 Tyrone Peachey

Centre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best
Winger for Panthers is number 22 Thomas Jenkins

Winger for Knights is number 5 Greg Marzhew
Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 17 Jaeman Salmon

Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Tyson Gamble
Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Jack Cogger

Halfback for Knights is number 7 Jackson Hastings

Forwards

Prop for Panthers is number 8 Moses Leota

Prop for Knights is number 8 Daniel Saifiti
Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Mitch Kenny

Hooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix Crossland
Prop for Panthers is number 10 James Fisher-Harris

Prop for Knights is number 10 Leo Thompson
2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Scott Sorensen

2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Tyson Frizell
2nd Row for Panthers is number 18 Zac Hosking

2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Dylan Lucas
Lock for Panthers is number 19 Matthew Eisenhuth

Lock for Knights is number 13 Adam Elliott

Interchange

Interchange for Panthers is number 14 Soni Luke

Interchange for Knights is number 14 Kurt Mann
Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Lindsay Smith

Interchange for Knights is number 15 Jacob Saifiti
Interchange for Panthers is number 16 Spencer Leniu

Interchange for Knights is number 16 Jack Hetherington
Interchange for Panthers is number 20 Luke Garner

Interchange for Knights is number 17 Mat Croker

Reserves

Replacement for Panthers is number 23 Liam Henry

Replacement for Knights is number 18 Brodie Jones

Match Officials

Referee: Ben Cummins
Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
Senior Review Official: Gerard Sutton

Last updated: 9/7/2024 12:26:00 PM

Stat Attack

Both sides sit in the NRL's top three for tackle breaks this year, with the Panthers leading the way with an average of 39.9 per game and the Knights third, averaging 38.4.
Knights wing Dom Young sits equal top of the NRL try-scoring charts with 16, despite having played two less games than the other player on that number, Maika Sivo.
The Panthers have won 11 and drawn one of their past 13 games against the Knights.
The Knights have won only one from six away from home in 2023.
The Knights are aiming for their 400th win since joining the premiership in 1988.
The Panthers have won six of their past seven games at BlueBet Stadium.