Match Preview: Panthers v Cowboys

Cowboys v Panthers: Neame named to start; late withdrawals for Panthers

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Sat 27 Apr 2024, 06:42 PM

Coming off a demoralising defeat at the hands of the Sharks, Todd Payten's men must find a way to regroup and rebound against premiers Penrith.

The Cowboys remain inside the eight with a 4-3 record, but they have the second worst defence in the NRL, with only South Sydney having conceded more points in 2024.

In stark contrast, the Panthers continue to build their success around a well-drilled defence that has conceded just 15 points per game this season

Even without superstar halfback Nathan Cleary, the Panthers have won two of three games, with Brad Schneider doing a solid job steering the ship on the back of a powerful pack that will look to dominate the middle of the field again in Townsville.

Cleary returns from a hamstring injury this week while fullback Dylan Edwards is also good to go despite hurting his leg against Wests Tigers.

The last time the sides met in Round 27 last year the Panthers were missing Jarome Luai, Scott Sorensen and Mitch Kenny, but still ran away with a 44-12 in a perfect tune up for the finals.

Sportsbet Betting Preview - Cowboys v Panthers

Team News

Cowboys: Coach Todd Payten has resisted making major changes to this side following last Sunday's heavy defeat the Sharks. Griffin Neame replace Jason Taumalolo as a starting prop, with the latter reverting to the bench. Thomas Mikaele is the new face on the bench for Jack Gosiewski, who was named as 18th man when the teams were finalised 60 minutes before kick-off.

Panthers: Fiji international Sunia Turuva was a late omission just 24 hours after announcing he had signed with Wests Tigers, with Paul Alamoti replacing him on the wing. No other changes after Scott Sorensen (knee) and Moses Leota (shoulder) were ruled out through injury on Friday, which will see Lindsay Smith and Luke Garner promoted to the starting side. Matt Eisenhuth and Mavrik Geyer are the players elevated into the 17. Nathan Cleary returns for his first game since Round 3 after overcoming a hamstring injury, which means Brad Schneider drops back out of the side and he was named as 18th man. Fullback Dylan Edwards will play despite failing to finish the last few minutes of last week’s win over the Wests Tigers, while Taylan May retakes his place at centre after a week off for personal reasons.

Round 8 - Round 8 - Saturday 27 Apr

Full Time

Cowboys

Panthers

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott Drinkwater

Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan Edwards
Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Kyle Feldt

Winger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'o
Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Valentine Holmes

Centre for Panthers is number 3 Izack Tago
Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Tom Chester

Centre for Panthers is number 4 Taylan May
Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Semi Valemei

Winger for Panthers is number 19 Paul Alamoti
Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Tom Dearden

Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Jarome Luai
Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Chad Townsend

Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Nathan Cleary

Forwards

Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Jordan McLean

Prop for Panthers is number 10 James Fisher-Harris
Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece Robson

Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Mitch Kenny
Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Griffin Neame

Prop for Panthers is number 15 Lindsay Smith
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Kulikefu Finefeuiaki

2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Liam Martin
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Jeremiah Nanai

2nd Row for Panthers is number 17 Luke Garner
Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Reuben Cotter

Lock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah Yeo

Interchange

Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Jake Granville

Interchange for Panthers is number 14 Daine Laurie
Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Jason Taumalolo

Interchange for Panthers is number 16 Liam Henry
Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Sam McIntyre

Interchange for Panthers is number 18 Matthew Eisenhuth
Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Thomas Mikaele

Interchange for Panthers is number 21 Mavrik Geyer