Having lost back-to-back games for the first time since Round 8-9 last year, the Panthers will be hell bent on getting back on track against a Rabbitohs side down on troops and down on confidence.
The loss to Canberra saw the premiers drop from second to fourth on the ladder, and with the red-hot Bulldogs yapping at their heels in fifth, they need to steady the ship against South and the Titans to ensure a top-four spot.
With their main man Nathan Cleary sidelined at least until the finals, the Panthers are relying on Jarome Luai to take control and kick-start their attack in conjunction with Brad Schneider.
The Rabbitohs have lost six of their past seven matches and have only the Eels and Wests Tigers behind them on the ladder - a massive fall from grace for a side that played in four preliminary finals in five seasons between 2018 and 2022.
Sportsbet Betting Preview: Panthers v Rabbitohs
The return of Cody Walker from concussion will provide a boost but the Rabbitohs appear to be crawling to the finish line in 2024 before embarking on a new era under Wayne Bennett in 2025.
Match: Panthers v Rabbitohs
Round 26 -
home Team
Panthers
2nd Position
away Team
Rabbitohs
15th Position
Venue: BlueBet Stadium, Penrith
Team News
Panthers: A late change with Liam Henry starting at prop and Moses Leota going to the bench while Matt Eisenhuth has been added to the bench with Mavrik Geyer making way. Sunia Turuva and Paul Alamoti are the new faces in the backline, taking over from Daine Laurie and Casey McLean. Hooker Mitch Kenny's return from suspension pushes Luke Sommerton out of the side. Casey McLean is 18th man.
Rabbitohs: Skipper Cameron Murray failed in his bid to have a Grade 2 Careless High Tackle charge downgraded at the judiciary on Tuesday night Jacob Host comes into the second row and Liam Le Blanc joins the bench. Cody Walker returns from the concussion protocols at halfback and Siliva Havili has been added to the bench with Shaq Mitchell sidelined by a calf injury. Dean Hawkins is 18th man.
Match: Panthers v Rabbitohs
Round 26 -
home Team
Panthers
away Team
Rabbitohs
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan EdwardsFullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Jye Gray
-
Winger for Panthers is number 2 Sunia TuruvaWinger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Tyrone Munro
-
Centre for Panthers is number 3 Izack TagoCentre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Taane Milne
-
Centre for Panthers is number 4 Paul AlamotiCentre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Fletcher Myers
-
Winger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'oWinger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Jacob Gagai
-
Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Brad SchneiderFive-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Jack Wighton
-
Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Jarome LuaiHalfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Cody Walker
Forwards
-
Prop for Panthers is number 10 James Fisher-HarrisProp for Rabbitohs is number 8 Davvy Moale
-
Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Mitch KennyHooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Damien Cook
-
Prop for Panthers is number 16 Liam HenryProp for Rabbitohs is number 10 Sean Keppie
-
2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Luke Garner2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Tallis Duncan
-
2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Liam Martin2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 15 Jacob Host
-
Lock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah YeoLock for Rabbitohs is number 11 Keaon Koloamatangi
Interchange
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 8 Moses LeotaInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Peter Mamouzelos
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 14 Trent ToelauInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Thomas Burgess
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Lindsay SmithInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Siliva Havili
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 18 Matthew EisenhuthInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 19 Liam Le Blanc
Reserves
-
Replacement for Panthers is number 20 Casey McLeanReplacement for Rabbitohs is number 18 Dean Hawkins
Match Officials
- Referee: Peter Gough
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Panthers have won 11 of their past 13 games against the Rabbitohs.
- The Rabbitohs have not won at BlueBet Stadium since 2019.
- Panthers back-rower Luke Garner will make his 100th NRL appearance.
- Rabbitohs five-eighth Cody Walker requires two tries to reach a century of NRL tries.
- Panthers coach Ivan Cleary will reach 250 games at the helm of the club.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
