Two of the best halfbacks in the competition will collide when Penrith host the Sea Eagles on Saturday night.
Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary helped his side snap a five-game losing streak last weekend and the superstar is eager to produce another big performance this week.
Penrith will be without hooker Mitch Kenny, who has been suspended for two matches, however five-eighth Blaize Talagi has shown glimpses of the exciting player he has the potential to develop into and continues to develop his partnership with Cleary.
The Sea Eagles will travel to CommBank Stadium desperate to end a three-game skid of their own, with halfback Daly Cherry-Evans eager to steady the ship in his final year with the club.
The veteran remains one of the best attacking minds in the competition and will need all his brilliance to orchestrate a victory over the four-time defending premiers.
Match: Panthers v Sea Eagles
Round 8 -
home Team
Panthers
17th Position
away Team
Sea Eagles
6th Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Team News
Panthers: A late change sees Brad Schneider replace Luke Sommerton as the run-on hooker, with triple premiership winner Mitch Kenny out suspended. Izack Tago returns to the centres in place of Luke Garner (concussion). Daine Laurie serves as the replacement player.
Sea Eagles: No further moves from coach Anthony Seibold an hour from kick-off, following a flurry of changes on Friday night. That saw Jason Saab (ankle) and Josh Aloiai (shoulder) ruled out, with Tommy Talau moving from the bench to the wing and Ethan Bullemor replacing Aloiai in at prop. Gordon Chan Kum Tong and Caleb Navale are the new faces on the bench.
Match: Panthers v Sea Eagles
Round 8 -
home Team
Panthers
away Team
Sea Eagles
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan EdwardsFullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Tom Trbojevic
-
Winger for Panthers is number 2 Paul AlamotiWinger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Lehi Hopoate
-
Centre for Panthers is number 3 Izack TagoCentre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Tolutau Koula
-
Centre for Panthers is number 4 Casey McLeanCentre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Reuben Garrick
-
Winger for Panthers is number 5 Thomas JenkinsWinger for Sea Eagles is number 14 Tommy Talau
-
Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Blaize TalagiFive-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Luke Brooks
-
Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Nathan ClearyHalfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Daly Cherry-Evans
Forwards
-
Prop for Panthers is number 8 Moses LeotaProp for Sea Eagles is number 10 Siosiua Taukeiaho
-
Hooker for Panthers is number 14 Brad SchneiderHooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Jake Simpkin
-
Prop for Panthers is number 10 Liam HenryProp for Sea Eagles is number 16 Ethan Bullemor
-
2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Scott Sorensen2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Haumole Olakau'atu
-
2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Liam Martin2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Ben Trbojevic
-
Lock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah YeoLock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Jazz Tevaga
Interchange
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 9 Luke SommertonInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Corey Waddell
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Isaiah Papali'iInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 17 Nathan Brown
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 16 Lindsay SmithInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 18 Gordon Chan Kum Tong
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 17 Mavrik GeyerInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 22 Caleb Navale
Reserves
-
Replacement for Panthers is number 18 Daine LaurieReplacement for Sea Eagles is number 21 Michael Chee Kam
Match Officials
- Referee: Belinda Sharpe
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Panthers have won nine of their past 10 games against the Sea Eagles.
- The Sea Eagles have lost their last three games at CommBank Stadium.
- Panthers fullback Dylan Edwards has scored eight tries in his last six games against the Sea Eagles.
- Sea Eagles centre Reuben Garrick has scored seven tries in his last six games at CommBank Stadium.
- Panthers centre Casey McLean has scored five tries in his past six games.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
