The Panthers host the Sea Eagles on Saturday as both sides search for their third win of the season.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Penrith Panthers Vs Manly Sea Eagles
Venue: BlueBet Stadium
Date: Saturday April 8, 5:30pm AEDT
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Matthew Eisenhuth 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Zac Hosking 13. Isaah Yeo Interchange: 14. Soni Luke 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Jaeman Salmon Reserves: 18. Tyrone Peachey 19. Jack Cogger 20. Eddie Blacker 21. Kurt Falls 22. Tom Jenkins
Sea Eagles: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Brad Parker 4. Morgan Harper 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Josh Schuster 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Jake Trbojevic 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Kelma Tuilagi 13. Josh Aloiai Interchange: 14. Kaeo Weekes 15. Karl Lawton 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Sean Keppie Reserves: 18. Toafofoa Sipley 19. Cooper Johns 20. Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega 21. Samuela Fainu 22. Aaron Woods
Referee: Todd Smith
Embed from Getty ImagesMATCHDAY PREVIEW
The Panthers proved they’re still one of the competition’s heavyweights with a nine-try demolition of the Raiders last week, while the Sea Eagles were forced to split the points with the Knights in a thriller in Mudgee.
James Fisher-Harris will miss this match with a knee injury in a big blow for the Panthers, replaced by Matt Eisenhuth. Soni Luke returns to the bench with Tyrone Peachey making way. There are three changes for the Sea Eagles, with Jason Saab named for his first game of the season in place of Christian Tuipulotu, while Josh Schuster returns at five-eighth with Cooper Johns dropping back to the reserves. Ben Trbojevic is out with a hamstring injury which sees Karl Lawton joining the bench.
Both teams have already flexed their muscle in attack this year, with the Sea Eagles scoring the second most points in the competition so far, despite having the bye already. Tom Trbojevic was at his brilliant best last week, running for 297 metres and putting on three try assists, while the return of Schuster will only aid the team’s attack.
With both teams owning weapons right across the park, this game will likely come down to defence, and that’s where the Panthers have the edge. Penrith have allowed just 13 points per game through their opening four matches, proving they’re still one of the best in the competition in this regard.
LAST TEN MATCHES
Panthers 8, Sea Eagles 2
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Panthers by 6 points.
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