After meeting in the 2022 grand final these two western Sydney powerhouses have taken very different paths.
The Panthers took the spoils that night and then made it three straight premierships in 2023 and now sit second on the table with a fourth title in a row a very real possibility.
The Eels slumped to 10th spot last year and find themselves sitting 16th in 2024 with a 5-14 record, although they will be buoyed by a sensational win over the Warriors in Round 22.
With new coach Jason Ryles on his way to the club there is plenty of motivation for the Eels to finish the year strongly and give them some momentum to take into the off-season.
The Panthers are within grasp of another minor premiership and will be keen to use this clash as a springboard into a monster Round 24 clash with the Storm which could well decide who takes home the JJ Giltinan Shield.
Sportsbet Betting Preview - Eels v Panthers
Team News
Eels: The Eels are 1-17 with no late changes as Trent Barrett sticks with the same squad that downed the Warriors last week. Makahesi Makatoa is the 18th man.
Panthers: Late changes with Matt Eisenhuth starting the game, Luron Patea joining the bench and Liam Henry dropping out. Daine Laurie returns from a head knock and is looking to line up at fullback. Asu Kepaoa is 18th man,
Match: Eels v Panthers
Round 23 -
home Team
Eels
away Team
Panthers
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Eels is number 1 Clinton GuthersonFullback for Panthers is number 1 Daine Laurie
-
Winger for Eels is number 2 Jake TagoWinger for Panthers is number 2 Sunia Turuva
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Centre for Eels is number 3 Will PenisiniCentre for Panthers is number 3 Izack Tago
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Centre for Eels is number 4 Blaize TalagiCentre for Panthers is number 4 Casey McLean
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Winger for Eels is number 5 Sean RussellWinger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'o
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Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Dylan BrownFive-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Jarome Luai
-
Halfback for Eels is number 7 Daejarn AsiHalfback for Panthers is number 7 Nathan Cleary
Forwards
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Prop for Eels is number 8 Reagan Campbell-GillardProp for Panthers is number 8 Moses Leota
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Hooker for Eels is number 9 Brendan HandsHooker for Panthers is number 9 Mitch Kenny
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Prop for Eels is number 10 Wiremu GreigProp for Panthers is number 15 Matthew Eisenhuth
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2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Shaun Lane2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Scott Sorensen
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2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Bryce Cartwright2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Liam Martin
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Lock for Eels is number 13 Ryan MattersonLock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah Yeo
Interchange
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Interchange for Eels is number 14 Joey LussickInterchange for Panthers is number 10 Lindsay Smith
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Interchange for Eels is number 15 Joe OfahengaueInterchange for Panthers is number 14 Trent Toelau
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Interchange for Eels is number 16 Matt DooreyInterchange for Panthers is number 17 Mavrik Geyer
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Interchange for Eels is number 17 Dan KeirInterchange for Panthers is number 18 Luron Patea
Reserves
-
Replacement for Eels is number 22 Makahesi MakatoaReplacement for Panthers is number 21 Asu Kepaoa
Match Officials
- Referee: Peter Gough
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Senior Review Official: Liam Kennedy
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Eels have lost four of their past five games at home.
- The Panthers have not defeated the Eels at CommBank Stadium since 2019.
- The Eels have not won back-to-back games in 2024.
- Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary has scored 52 points in his past three games.
- Eels fullback Clint Gutherson has scored five tries in his past seven games against the Panthers.
Match: Eels v Panthers
Round 23 -
home Team
Eels
16th Position
away Team
Panthers
2nd Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
