Jem Nash previews another Saturday night blockbuster as the Sydney Roosters battle the Penrith Panthers at the SCG.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Sydney Roosters Vs Penrith Panthers
Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground
Date: Saturday May 21, 7:35pm AEST
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Related: NRL Team List Tuesday
Embed from Getty ImagesRoosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Paul Momirovski 4. Joseph Manu 5. Joseph Suaalii 6. Sam Walker 7. Luke Keary 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Connor Watson 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Angus Crichton 12. Sitili Tupouniua 13. Nat Butcher 14. Drew Hutchison 15. Fletcher Baker 16. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 17. Lindsay Collins 18. Lachlan Lam 19. Egan Butcher 20. Ben Marschke 21. Naufahu Whyte 22. Kevin Naiqama 23. Adam Keighran 24. Terrell May
Nat Butcher has been named at lock in place of the injured Victor Radley, while Lindsay Collins is set to return from suspension. Connor Watson has once again been named at hooker but might swap with Drew Hutchison again as they did last week
Embed from Getty ImagesPenrith Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Taylan May 3. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Mitch Kenny 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Jaeman Salmon 18. Robert Jennings 19. Chris Smith 20. J’maine Hopgood 21. Sean O’Sullivan 22. Matthew Eisenhuth 23. Soni Luke 24. Charlie Staines
The Panthers are unchanged from last week’s big win over the Storm.
Referee: Gerard Sutton
MATCHDAY PREVIEW
The Roosters come into this game on the back of two straight wins, most recently an impressive 31-24 victory over the Eels in Magic Round, and now they come up against a Panthers side that will be full of confidence following a dominant 32-6 win over the Storm.
One of the most intriguing position battles in this clash will be between the two halves pairings. After a relatively slow start to the year, Luke Keary is starting to find his best form again, amassing six try assists over his last three games. He comes up against Cleary whose kicking game was once again key in last week’s win. Cleary’s partner in Jarome Luai enjoyed his best game of the season last week, and if he can continue his recent upward trend the Panthers will be in a good spot coming into the Origin period.
The Roosters will need to get off to a fast start if they want to be a chance in this one. If they can keep their intensity up for the full 80 minutes, put pressure on the Panthers with some quick line speed, they will be able to push the ladder leaders.
Embed from Getty ImagesINTERESTING FACT
The two fullbacks lead the competition in run metres 10 rounds into the season, with Dylan Edwards averaging 230 metres per game and Tedesco just behind with 216.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Panthers by 8
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