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Defending premiers Penrith have hit early turbulence in their title defence with three straight losses but the return of Nathan Cleary could be the catalyst for a turnaround.
For years, rugby league fans had wondered how much strain the famed Penrith system could take with successful players leaving for other clubs wanting their experience and it seems 2025 could provide the biggest test to coach Ivan Cleary and his players.
The Cowboys on the other hand got the monkey off their back last weekend after posting their first win of the year with a strong effort against the Raiders.
Led by a two-try effort from halfback Jake Clifford, the North Queensland outfit looked the sharpest they have all season but they will need to be wary against a Panthers team looking to claw back some form.
Match: Panthers v Cowboys
Round 5 -
home Team
Panthers
14th Position
away Team
Cowboys
13th Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Team News
Panthers: A reshuffle an hour before kick-off sees Luke Garner promoted to the starting side in the back row with Isaiah Papali'i moving to prop and Lindsay Smith going to the bench. A massive boost for the premiers with Nathan Cleary back in the No.7 after missing Round 4 due to concussion. Youngster Casey McLean comes in on the wing for Brian To'o (hamstring) while Scott Sorensen is also sidelined with concussion. Matt Eisenhuth is the new face on the bench. Blaize Talagi is the 18th man.
Cowboys: A blow for the Cowboys with co-captain Reuben Cotter ruled out on game day due to illness. Sam McIntyre comes into the starting side and Harrison Edwards joins the bench. Prop Griffin Neame has been cleared of a hamstring injury after coming from the field as a precaution in last weekend’s win over the Raiders. Tom Duffy is the 18th man.
Match: Panthers v Cowboys
Round 5 -
home Team
Panthers
away Team
Cowboys
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Daine LaurieFullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott Drinkwater
-
Winger for Panthers is number 2 Paul AlamotiWinger for Cowboys is number 2 Robert Derby
-
Centre for Panthers is number 3 Izack TagoCentre for Cowboys is number 3 Jaxon Purdue
-
Centre for Panthers is number 4 Thomas JenkinsCentre for Cowboys is number 4 Viliami Vailea
-
Winger for Panthers is number 5 Casey McLeanWinger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray Taulagi
-
Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Jack ColeFive-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Tom Dearden
-
Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Nathan ClearyHalfback for Cowboys is number 7 Jake Clifford
Forwards
-
Prop for Panthers is number 8 Moses LeotaProp for Cowboys is number 8 Jordan McLean
-
Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Mitch KennyHooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece Robson
-
Prop for Panthers is number 11 Isaiah Papali'iProp for Cowboys is number 10 Jason Taumalolo
-
2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Liam Martin2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 John Bateman
-
2nd Row for Panthers is number 17 Luke Garner2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Kai O'Donnell
-
Lock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah YeoLock for Cowboys is number 14 Sam McIntyre
Interchange
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 10 Lindsay SmithInterchange for Cowboys is number 15 Jeremiah Nanai
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 14 Brad SchneiderInterchange for Cowboys is number 16 Griffin Neame
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Matthew EisenhuthInterchange for Cowboys is number 17 Coen Hess
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 16 Liam HenryInterchange for Cowboys is number 18 Harrison Edwards
Reserves
-
Replacement for Panthers is number 18 Blaize TalagiReplacement for Cowboys is number 20 Thomas Duffy
Match Officials
- Referee: Peter Gough
- Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Senior Review Official: Gerard Sutton
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Panthers have lost three of their past four games at CommBank Stadium.
- The Cowboys have won three of their past five games against the Panthers.
- Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary requires 14 points to break the club’s all-time scoring record.
- The Cowboys have lost all three games at CommBank Stadium.
- Panthers co-captain Isaah Yeo will make his 250th NRL appearance.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
