Check out the match preview and prediction for the round 4 clash between the Roosters and Panthers.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Sydney Roosters Vs Penrith Panthers
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Date: Thursday March 28, 8pm
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii 4. Joseph Manu 5. Dominic Young 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Brandon Smith 10. Terrell May 11. Nat Butcher 12. Sitili Tupouniua 13. Victor Radley 14. Connor Watson 15. Naufahu Whyte 16. Egan Butcher 17. Angus Crichton 18. Michael Jennings 19. Siua Wong 20. Fetalaiga Pauga 21. Zach Dockar-Clay 22. Dylan Napa
Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Taylan May 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Brad Schneider 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Luke Garner 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Daine Laurie 15. Matt Eisenhuth 16. Liam Henry 17. Mavrik Geyer 18. Soni Luke 19. Jack Cole 20. Ativalu Lisati 21. Paul Alamoti 22. Tyrone Peachey
Referee: Adam Gee
Embed from Getty ImagesMATCHDAY PREVIEW
In a huge blow for the defending premiers, Nathan Cleary is out after it was confirmed he had suffered a hamstring injury in last week’s win over the Broncos. Brad Schneider will fill in at halfback, while Scott Sorensen is also out with a knee injury. Luke Garner has been promoted to the starting side, with Mavrik Geyer set to make his NRL debut off the bench.
Luke Keary is back from concussion and will partner Sam Walker in the halves, with Walker cleared after an initial Category 1 HIA diagnosis. Terrell May has been promoted to the starting side with Lindsay Collins out with a hamstring injury. Nat Butcher comes onto the bench.
The Roosters were simply superb in a 48-6 demolition of old rivals South Sydney a week ago, while the Panthers easily handled an understrength Broncos side (34-12) in what was a letdown of a grand final rematch.
It gets much harder this week for Penrith, however, coming up against the red hot Roosters without their star halfback. Schneider has proved himself as a handy backup in his 12 NRL appearances, but extra pressure will be on Jarome Luai to provide some spark in attack.
James Tedesco has been back to his brilliant best across the first three rounds of the 2024 season, and the Roosters will need him to continue his red hot form to overcome a Panthers side that have enjoyed a strong recent record against their opponents, winning their past eight clashes against the Roosters.
With no Cleary, however, and the Roosters full of confidence after a big win last week, they should be too strong in a close one.
Head-to-head stats can be found at Round 4 Number Crunch.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Roosters by 4 points.
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