Match Preview: Panthers v Knights

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Sun 4 Aug 2024, 01:03 PM

After weathering an early storm against the Dolphins in Round 20, the Penrith Panthers look to be back in ominous form after outclassing the Dragons in their last match, with the Knights next in their sights.

Halfback Nathan Cleary continued to stamp his comeback from injury with another showstopping performance, scoring a hat-trick in his side's 46-10 win.

While Penrith celebrated their win, they picked up fresh injury concerns with Warriors-bound prop James Fisher-Harris facing a month on the sideline with a groin injury.

Fullback Daine Laurie left the field in the 20th minute and failed his HIA after a head clash with Dragons fullback Mat Feagai, and won't be available this week.

The Knights come into this game off the bye but were humbled at home in their last start against the Broncos, going down 30-14.

The match also dealt the side a big injury blow, with Blues Game Three star Bradman Best succumbing to a hamstring injury.

Sportsbet Betting Preview - Panthers v Knights

Team News

Panthers: Matt Eisenhuth will start the game and Lindsay Smith goes to the bench in a late switch. With Dylan Edwards (knee) and Daine Laurie (head knock) both sidelined, Isaiah Iongi makes his NRL debut at fullback. Luron Patea is 18th man.

Knights: The Knights are 1-17 with no late changes. Halfback Jackson Hastings has been dropped with Phoenix Crossland taking over in the No.7 and Jayden Brailey starting at hooker. The absence of Bradman Best with a hamstring injury sees Dylan Lucas again shift to the centres and Adam Elliott join the back row in his return from a calf injury. Jack Cogger is the new man on the bench. Tom Cant is 18th man.

Round 22 - Round 22 - Sunday 4 Aug

Full Time

Panthers

Knights

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Isaiah Iongi

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

Winger for Knights is number 2 Fletcher Sharpe
Centre for Panthers is number 3 Izack Tago

Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
Centre for Panthers is number 4 Casey McLean

Centre for Knights is number 4 Dylan Lucas
Winger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'o

Winger for Knights is number 5 Greg Marzhew
Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Jarome Luai

Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Tyson Gamble
Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Nathan Cleary

Halfback for Knights is number 7 Phoenix Crossland

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 Jayden Brailey
Prop for Panthers is number 15 Matthew Eisenhuth

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 12 Liam Martin

2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Kai Pearce-Paul
Lock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah Yeo

Lock for Knights is number 13 Adam Elliott

Interchange

Interchange for Panthers is number 10 Lindsay Smith

Interchange for Knights is number 14 Jack Cogger
Interchange for Panthers is number 14 Trent Toelau

Interchange for Knights is number 16 Jack Hetherington
Interchange for Panthers is number 16 Liam Henry

Interchange for Knights is number 17 Mat Croker
Interchange for Panthers is number 17 Mavrik Geyer

Interchange for Knights is number 18 Thomas Cant

Reserves

Replacement for Panthers is number 18 Luron Patea

Replacement for Knights is number 19 Brodie Jones

Match Officials

Referee: Adam Gee
Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Last updated: 9/7/2024 12:25:36 PM

Stat Attack

The Panthers have won 13 of their past 15 games against the Knights.
The Knights have not won at BlueBet Stadium since 2018.
Panthers winger Brian To’o has scored six tries in six games against the Knights.
The Knights have won four of their past five away games.
Panthers hooker Mitch Kenny will make his 100th NRL appearance.