It’s top against bottom when the Panthers host the Dragons in the final match of Round 14.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Penrith Panthers Vs St George Illawarra Dragons
Venue: BlueBet Stadium
Date: Sunday, June 4, 6:15pm
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Tyrone Peachey 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Zac Hosking 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Soni Luke 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Liam Martin 17. Jaeman Salmon 18. Jack Cogger 19. Luke Garner 20. Thomas Jenkins 21. Matt Eisenhuth 22. Liam Henry 23. Izack Tago 24. Spencer Leniu
Dragons: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Talatau Amone 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Michael Molo 11. Billy Burns 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack de Belin 14. Jayden Sullivan 15. Ben Murdoch-Masila 16. Jaiyden Hunt 17. Josh Kerr 18. Moses Mbye 19. Toby Couchman 20. Zane Musgrove 21. Max Feagai 22. Tautau Moga
Referee: Chris Sutton
Embed from Getty ImagesMATCHDAY PREVIEW
The Panthers are unchanged from their last start win over the Broncos, with coach Ivan Cleary naming the six Origin stars to back up. Spencer Leniu and Izack Tago are both an outside chance to return from injury after being named on the extended bench.
Dragons captain Ben Hunt has also been named to back up from Origin, with Jayden Sullivan dropping back to the bench. Jaydn Su’a returns from a knee injury while Billy Burns will play in the back row for just his second game of the season. Ben Murdoch-Masila will start from the bench, with Moses Mbye and Toby Couchman named in the reserves. Jack Bird will be rested.
After a stunning last-gasp win over the Roosters in Round 12, the Dragons crashed back down to earth last week in a 26-12 loss to the Dolphins. It’s been a tumultuous couple of weeks for the club, at best, and interim head coach Ryan Carr will need to find answers quickly to stay out of danger of the wooden spoon.
Time will tell whether all of the Panthers’ Origin representatives do indeed play in this match, but the plan will remain the same. The reigning premiers rely on their league-best defence (they have conceded a total of 14 points through their last three matches) and grind teams down. Their attack still has room for improvement but Penrith have still shown what they’re capable of in thrashings of the Raiders, Sea Eagles and Roosters.
History is not on the Dragons side here, losing all seven of their away games so far this season, while only winning one of their last six matches at BlueBet Stadium, where the Panthers own a stellar record, winning 30 of their past 33 at home.
LAST TEN MATCHES
Panthers 6, Dragons 4
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Panthers by 16 points.
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