Check out the match preview and prediction for the round 13 clash between the Panthers and Dragons.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Penrith Panthers Vs St George-Illawarra Dragons
Venue: BlueBet Stadium, Sydney
Date: Saturday June 1, 17:30
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Panthers: 1. Daine Laurie 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Jesse McLean 6. Jack Cole 7. Brad Schneider 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Henry 13. Lindsay Smith 14. Trent Toelau 15. Preston Riki 16. Mavrik Geyer 17. Tyrone Peachey 18. Isaiah Iongi 19. Ativalu Lisati 20. Luron Patea 21. Luke Sommerton 22. Casey McLean
Dragons: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Sione Finau 3. Moses Suli 4. Max Feagai 5. Mathew Feagai 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Jesse Marschke 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Jack de Belin 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 13. Tom Eisenhuth 14. Blake Lawrie 15. Ben Murdoch-Masila 16. Toby Couchman 17. Ryan Couchman 18. Fa’amanu Brown 19. Michael Molo 20. Alec Tuitavake 21. Christian Tuipulotu 22. Mikaele Ravalawa
Referee: Todd Smith
Embed from Getty ImagesMATCHDAY PREVIEW
There is a host of changes to the team lists, with both sides missing multiple players due to State of Origin duties.
Dylan Edwards, Brian To’o, Jarome Luai, Liam Martin, and Isaah Yeo are all out for the Panthers. Daine Laurie will start at fullback, with Jesse McLean filling in on the wing for just his second NRL game. Brad Schneider returns at halfback to partner Jack Cole, while Trent Toelau and Preston Riki will make their NRL debuts off the bench. Liam Henry will start in the second row with Lindsay Smith named at lock. Mavrik Geyer and Tyrone Peachey have also been named on the bench.
For the Dragons, Sione Finau will start on the wing in his second NRL game, replacing NSW debutant Zac Lomax. Jesse Marschke will take over halfback duties in place of Ben Hunt, while brothers Max and Mathew Feagai join the backline, replacing the injured duo of Jack Bird and Mikaele Ravalawa. Jack de Belin moves to prop to cover for the injured Hame Sele, with Luciano Leilua coming into the starting side to replace Jaydn Su’A who has been named for the Maroons. Raymond Faitala-Mariner will also start in the second row, while Ben Murdoch-Masila and Toby and Ryan Couchman are the new faces on the bench.
The Panthers produced their best performance of the 2024 season in a 42-0 demolition of the Sharks last week, but the Dragons will be eyeing off an upset with five Penrith stars out for Origin. It will be another test of the Panthers’ well-renowned depth as the Dragons look to get an all-important victory to remain in the hunt for the top eight.
The Dragons were on their way to a win against the Bulldogs last week, taking a six-point lead into half time, before the Bulldogs ran riot in the second half, scoring 38 unanswered points. Shane Flanagan’s men have won just one of their past four contests, but a win against the defending premiers would go a long way to getting their season back on track.
It won’t be easy, however, as the Dragons have lost their past 10 games without their star halfback Ben Hunt, while the Panthers remain one of the toughest sides to defeat at their home stadium.
Head-to-head stats can be found at Number Crunch Stats.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Check out all the NRL Predictions here.
Panthers by 6 points.
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