Match Preview: Panthers v Dolphins

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Sun 21 Jul 2024, 01:07 PM

The Panthers' quest for a remarkable fourth straight premiership goes up a notch this week as they welcome back champion halfback Nathan Cleary for the run to the wire.

Cleary has played just five matches this season, the last of those in Round 10, when he suffered a hamstring injury against the Bulldogs.

The Panthers have won four and lost three in Cleary's absence but remain inside the top four and poised to strike with only of their remaining eight games against a current top-four side - the Storm in Round 24.

The Dolphins, meanwhile, have already racked up nine wins in their second season and look to have a realistic shot at a maiden finals berth. although the loss of Euan Aitken to a pectoral injury is a blow.

Provided Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Felise Kaufusi come through Origin Three unscathed they should be back on deck for this litmus test of their credentials in front of a hostile Panthers crowd.

Sportsbet Betting Preview - Panthers v Dolphins

Team News

Panthers: Luke Garner drops out of the side on Saturday with Liam Henry joining the starting side and Mavrik Geyer added to the bench. Origin reps Liam Martin, Jarome Luai and Brian To'o had been named on the extended bench but won't play. Halfback Nathan Cleary is preparing for his first match since Round 10 in a major boost for the premiers. Fullback Dylan Edwards looks set to miss 2-4 weeks with a knee injury picked up in Origin Three so Daine Laurie could be set for a longer run at fullback. Liam Martin, Jarome Luai and Brian To'o had been named on the extended bench but won't play. Isaah Yeo is also being rested. There were no further changes on Sunday afternoon, with Isaiah Iongi remaining in the squad as 18th man.

Dolphins: Fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow will feature in his first club game since picking up a shoulder injury in Origin Two, while Felise Kaufusi seems certain to back up after playing just 16 minutes for the Maroons on Wednesday night. Back-up fullback Trai Fuller remains in the 17 and will start if Tabuai-Fidow is ruled out. No changes one hour before kick off, with Sean O'Sullivan the 18th man.

Round 20 - Round 20 - Sunday 21 Jul

Full Time

Panthers

Dolphins

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Daine Laurie

Fullback for Dolphins is number 1 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
Winger for Panthers is number 2 Sunia Turuva

Winger for Dolphins is number 2 Jamayne Isaako
Centre for Panthers is number 3 Izack Tago

Centre for Dolphins is number 3 Jake Averillo
Centre for Panthers is number 4 Casey McLean

Centre for Dolphins is number 4 Herbie Farnworth
Winger for Panthers is number 5 Paul Alamoti

Winger for Dolphins is number 5 Jack Bostock
Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Brad Schneider

Five-Eighth for Dolphins is number 6 Kodi Nikorima
Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Nathan Cleary

Halfback for Dolphins is number 7 Isaiya Katoa

Forwards

Prop for Panthers is number 8 Moses Leota

Prop for Dolphins is number 8 Jesse Bromwich
Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Mitch Kenny

Hooker for Dolphins is number 9 Max Plath
Prop for Panthers is number 10 James Fisher-Harris

Prop for Dolphins is number 10 Tevita Pangai Junior
2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Scott Sorensen

2nd Row for Dolphins is number 11 Felise Kaufusi
2nd Row for Panthers is number 16 Liam Henry

2nd Row for Dolphins is number 12 Connelly Lemuelu
Lock for Panthers is number 13 Matthew Eisenhuth

Lock for Dolphins is number 13 Kenneath Bromwich

Interchange

Interchange for Panthers is number 14 Trent Toelau

Interchange for Dolphins is number 14 Josh Kerr
Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Lindsay Smith

Interchange for Dolphins is number 15 Mark Nicholls
Interchange for Panthers is number 17 Luron Patea

Interchange for Dolphins is number 16 Ray Stone
Interchange for Panthers is number 19 Mavrik Geyer

Interchange for Dolphins is number 17 Trai Fuller