The battle between second and 12th looks to be a mismatch on recent form but the absence of five Panthers on Origin duty offers the Dragons hope of an upset.
With Jarome Luai, Isaah Yeo, Liam Martin, Brian To'o and Dylan Edwards in Blues camp and Nathan Cleary out injured, the Panthers' renowned depth will again be tested as they look to navigate the tricky Origin period.
The Dragons will be without Maroons reps Ben Hunt and Jaydn Su'A as well as Blues debutant Zac Lomax so coach Shane Flanagan turns to son Kyle and Jesee Marschke in a new playmaking combination.
Having won just one of their past four games and conceded 138 points in the process the Dragons are in danger of losing touch with the top eight should they not be able to turn things around against the Panthers, Wests Tigers and Sea Eagles ahead of a Round 16 bye.
Sportsbet Betting Preview - Panthers v Dragons
Team News
Panthers: Brad Schneider and Jake Cole have both shaken off injury concerns and will form a new-look halves combination, with Trent Toelau and Preston Riki to make their NRL debut off the bench. Tyrone Peachey will play just his second game of the season, while Daine Laurie starts at fullback for the first time since returning to the club. Ativalu Lisati is the replacement player.
Dragons: The Feagai brothers start together in the backline with the Couchman boys together on the bench. Jesse Marschke is the new halfback in Ben Hunt's absence while Jack de Belin moves to prop to cover for Hame Sele (shoulder), with Luciano Leilua called into the starting side. No late changes, with Fa'amanu Brown the replacement player.
Match: Panthers v Dragons
Round 13 -
home Team
Panthers
away Team
Dragons
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Daine LaurieFullback for Dragons is number 1 Tyrell Sloan
-
Winger for Panthers is number 2 Sunia TuruvaWinger for Dragons is number 2 Sione Finau
-
Centre for Panthers is number 3 Izack TagoCentre for Dragons is number 3 Mosese Suli
-
Centre for Panthers is number 4 Paul AlamotiCentre for Dragons is number 4 Max Feagai
-
Winger for Panthers is number 5 Jesse McLeanWinger for Dragons is number 5 Mathew Feagai
-
Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Jack ColeFive-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Kyle Flanagan
-
Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Brad SchneiderHalfback for Dragons is number 7 Jesse Marschke
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 Jack De Belin
-
2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Scott Sorensen2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Luciano Leilua
-
2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Liam Henry2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Raymond Faitala-Mariner
-
Lock for Panthers is number 13 Lindsay SmithLock for Dragons is number 13 Tom Eisenhuth
Interchange
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 14 Trent ToelauInterchange for Dragons is number 14 Blake Lawrie
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Preston RikiInterchange for Dragons is number 15 Ben Murdoch-Masila
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 16 Mavrik GeyerInterchange for Dragons is number 16 Toby Couchman
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 17 Tyrone PeacheyInterchange for Dragons is number 17 Ryan Couchman
Reserves
-
Replacement for Panthers is number 19 Ativalu LisatiReplacement for Dragons is number 18 Fa'amanu Brown
Match Officials
- Referee: Todd Smith
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Senior Review Official: Gerard Sutton
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Panthers have won their past six games against the Dragons.
- The Dragons have lost their last 10 games without halfback Ben Hunt.
- The Panthers have won 13 of their past 14 games at BlueBet Stadium.
- Panthers winger Sunia Turuva has scored seven tries in his past five games at BlueBet Stadium.
Match: Panthers v Dragons
Round 13 -
home Team
Panthers
2nd Position
away Team
Dragons
12th Position
Venue: BlueBet Stadium, Penrith
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
