After breaking their finals hoodoo by beating the Cowboys, the challenge now facing the Sharks is to go up another couple of levels to try and take down the defending premiers.
With Braydon Trindall producing one of the finest performances of his career, the Sharks got home 26-18 to move into their first preliminary final since 2018, where they were eliminated by the Storm.
Trindall and halves partner Nicho Hynes will again need to stand tall in their match-up with Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai if the Sharks are to keep alive the dream of a second premiership to go with the 2016 triumph.
The Panthers arrive at their fifth consecutive preliminary final in good shape with Cleary all the better for the run against the Roosters and back-rower Scott Sorensen looking likely to return from a hamstring injury.
SportsBet Betting Preview - Panthers v Sharks
The chance to claim a slice of history with a fourth premiership on the trot is a powerful motivator for the Panthers, who are looking to send Jarome Luai, James Fisher-Harris and Sunia Turuva off on a winning note.
The two sides have met just once before in a final, with the Sharks prevailing 21-20 in 2018 on the back of a Chad Townsend field goal.
Match: Panthers v Sharks
Finals Week 3 -
home Team
Panthers
2nd Position
away Team
Sharks
4th Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Team News
Panthers: Scott Sorensen has been unable to overcome a hamstring injury and dropped out of the squad for Saturday night's clash. Luke Garner was named in the starting side and will remain as an edge forward for the clash. Penrith are 1-17 in an hour from kick off, with Casey McLean remaining in the extended squad as the replacement player.
Sharks: Centre Jesse Ramien has fallen short in his bid to overcome an ankle injury and will miss Saturday's preliminary final. Coach Craig Fitzgibbon told media on Friday that Ramien was 'up against it' in his bid to take the field. "He did a really good job to get himself ready and play last week and that's the risk we're looking at in the same scenario this week," Fitzgibbon said. The coach confirmed that Kayal Iro was good to go despite battling a slight wrist injury in recent weeks. Siosifa Talakai will start in the centres in place of Ramien, with Daniel Atkinson added to the bench. There are no further changes an hour from kick-off, with Mawene Hiroti taking over the 18th man duties.
Match: Panthers v Sharks
Finals Week 3 -
home Team
Panthers
away Team
Sharks
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan EdwardsFullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
-
Winger for Panthers is number 2 Sunia TuruvaWinger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa
-
Centre for Panthers is number 3 Izack TagoCentre for Sharks is number 4 Kayal Iro
-
Centre for Panthers is number 4 Paul AlamotiCentre for Sharks is number 14 Siosifa Talakai
-
Winger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'oWinger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo
-
Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Jarome LuaiFive-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon Trindall
-
Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Nathan ClearyHalfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes
Forwards
-
Prop for Panthers is number 8 Moses LeotaProp for Sharks is number 8 Toby Rudolf
-
Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Mitch KennyHooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
-
Prop for Panthers is number 10 James Fisher-HarrisProp for Sharks is number 10 Oregon Kaufusi
-
2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Luke Garner2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora
-
2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Liam Martin2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton
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Lock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah YeoLock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnes
Interchange
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 14 Brad SchneiderInterchange for Sharks is number 15 Jack Williams
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Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Lindsay SmithInterchange for Sharks is number 16 Royce Hunt
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 16 Liam HenryInterchange for Sharks is number 17 Thomas Hazelton
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Interchange for Panthers is number 17 Matthew EisenhuthInterchange for Sharks is number 18 Daniel Atkinson
Reserves
-
Replacement for Panthers is number 18 Casey McLeanReplacement for Sharks is number 20 Mawene Hiroti
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Panthers have won seven of their past eight games against the Sharks.
- The Sharks have been outscored 70-0 in their past two clashes against the Panthers.
- The Panthers are aiming for a premiership record 11th straight finals win.
- Sharks halfback Nicho Hynes will make his 100th NRL appearance.
- Panthers captain Isaah Yeo will break the club’s all-time appearance record of 243 games.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
