Check out the match preview and prediction for the round 20 clash between the Panthers and Dolphins.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Penrith Panthers Vs The Dolphins
Venue: BlueBet Stadium
Date: Sunday July 21, 14:00
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Panthers: 1. Daine Laurie, 2. Sunia Turuva, 3. Izack Tago, 4. Casey Mclean, 5. Paul Alamoti, 6. Brad Schneider, 7. Nathan Cleary, 8. Moses Leota, 9. Mitch Kenny, 10. James Fisher, 11. Scott Sorensen, 12. Luke Garner, 13. Matt Eisenhuth, 14. Trent Toelau, 15. Lindsay Smith, 16. Liam Henry, 17. Luron Patea, 18. Isaiah Iongi, 19. Mavrik Geyer, 20. Soni Luke, 21. Tyrone Peachey, 22. Jarome Luai, 23. Brian To’o, 24. Liam Martin
Dolphins: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, 2. Jamayne Isaako, 3. Jake Averillo, 4. Herbie Farnworth, 5. Jack Bostock, 6. Kodi Nikorima, 7. Isaiya Katoa, 8. Jesse Bromwich, 9. Max Plath, 10. Tevita Pangai Junior, 11. Felise Kaufusi, 12. Connelly Lemuelu, 13. Kenny Bromwich, 14. Josh Kerr, 15. Mark Nicholls, 16. Ray Stone, 17. Trai Fuller, 18. Sean O’Sullivan, 19. Tesi Niu, 20. Anthony Milford, 21. Mason Teague, 22. Oryn Keeley
Referee: Adam Gee
Embed from Getty ImagesMATCHDAY PREVIEW
The Panthers get a huge boost this week as Nathan Cleary returns from a long injury layoff. The two-time Clive Churchill medallist has not played since round 10, after a couple of hamstring injuries in quick succession, but will be fresh and ready for the run home as Penrith seek a remarkable fourth straight premiership.
The Panthers’ Origin stars are likely to be rested, with Jarome Luai, Brian To’o and Liam Martin named on the extended bench, while Dylan Edwards and Isaah Yeo have been left off the team list completely. Daine Laurie will start at fullback, Casey McLean gets another crack at first grade in the centres, while Scott Sorensen, Luke Garner and Matt Eisenhuth are the trio to start in the second row.
For the Dolphins, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Felise Kaufusi have been named to back up from Origin three, while Trai Fuller has been named on the bench, pushing Sean O’Sullivan out of the top 17. In a big blow, Euan Aitken is likely out for the season after suffering a pectoral injury in last week’s victory over the Rabbitohs.
The Dolphins look primed for a finals berth in just their second season and are right in the hunt for a top four finish. It will be a tough ask to move up the ladder for Wayne Bennett’s men, as they face a tough run home, starting this week.
The Dolphins have shown they can score points; however they will be heavily tested this week. The Panthers remain the best defensive team in the competition, and with Cleary’s return, the Dolphins’ leaky defence is a big concern.
A minor premiership might be a tough ask for the Panthers this year, currently sitting four points behind the top-placed Storm, but with Cleary’s return they look set for another top two finish. The Dolphins are just one of two current top-eight sides Penrith face the rest of the season, so with a fresh Cleary they could inflict some damage heading into finals.
The odds are stacked against the Dolphins this week, but they do boast a solid recent record away from home, winning four of their past six. However, the Panthers at home should be too strong.
Head-to-head stats can be found at Number Crunch Stats.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Check out all the NRL Predictions here.
Panthers by 12 points.
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