The Raiders' run of good form has them sitting in ninth spot and only outside the eight on points differential as they gear up for the ultimate test against the premiers.
The loss of star playmakers Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai leaves a huge hole for Penrith and Ricky Stuart's men get a golden opportunity to knock off the tallest poppy and announce themselves as genuine contenders.
There's plenty like about the way the Raiders are playing their footy at the moment but they will be aware they need to go up another couple of notches to beat a side that has only two games all season.
A loud and passionate GIO Stadium crowd is assured on a Saturday evening in the national capital and they can be worth a few points to the Green Machine when the heat is applied by the champs.
Sportsbet Betting preview: Raiders v Panthers
The Rundown
Team news
Raiders: No late changes on game day after Xavier Savage dropped out on Friday with an ankle injury. Albert Hopoate takes over at fullback in jersey No.18. Jordan Rapana returns from suspension. Adam Elliott hurt his hip against the Titans but has been named to start at lock. Ata Mariota is 18th Man.
Panthers: No further changes on game day after star back-rower Viliame Kikau was ruled out on Friday with a hip injury. Chris Smith will start in the second row and Sunia Turuva joins the bench for his NRL debut. Sean O'Sullivan is the new No.7 and Jaeman Salmon comes into the starting side at five-eighth. Origin centre Stephen Crichton returns from the nasty ear cut he suffered against the Sharks and back-up hooker Mitch Kenny (knee) is also back on deck. Matt Eisenhuth is 18th Man.
Match: Raiders v Panthers
Round 21 -
home Team
Raiders
away Team
Panthers
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Raiders is number 18 Albert HopoateFullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan Edwards
-
Winger for Raiders is number 2 Nick CotricWinger for Panthers is number 2 Taylan May
-
Centre for Raiders is number 3 Matthew TimokoCentre for Panthers is number 3 Izack Tago
-
Centre for Raiders is number 4 Sebastian KrisCentre for Panthers is number 4 Stephen Crichton
-
Winger for Raiders is number 5 Jordan RapanaWinger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'o
-
Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Jack WightonFive-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Jaeman Salmon
-
Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Jamal FogartyHalfback for Panthers is number 7 Sean O'Sullivan
Forwards
-
Prop for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papali'iProp for Panthers is number 8 Moses Leota
-
Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Zac WoolfordHooker for Panthers is number 9 Apisai Koroisau
-
Prop for Raiders is number 10 Joseph TapineProp for Panthers is number 10 James Fisher-Harris
-
2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Liam Martin
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2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Elliott Whitehead2nd Row for Panthers is number 20 Chris Smith
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Lock for Raiders is number 13 Adam ElliottLock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah Yeo
Interchange
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Tom StarlingInterchange for Panthers is number 14 Mitch Kenny
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Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Ryan SuttonInterchange for Panthers is number 15 Scott Sorensen
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Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Emre GulerInterchange for Panthers is number 16 Spencer Leniu
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Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Corey Harawira-NaeraInterchange for Panthers is number 18 Sunia Turuva
Reserves
-
Replacement for Raiders is number 19 Ata MariotaReplacement for Panthers is number 19 Matthew Eisenhuth
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Touch Judge: Liam Kennedy
- Senior Review Official: Gerard Sutton
Last updated:
Key match-up
Joseph Tapine v James Fisher-Harris: When conversation starts about who is the game's premier prop, these two powerhouse Kiwis are right in the thick of the debate. Tapine has been enormous for Canberra, averaging 165 metres per game, breaking 62 tackles and and creating second-phase opportunities with 37 offloads. Fisher-Harris is the main man in Ivan Cleary's pack, averaging 144 metres and 30 tackles per match and invariably coming up with an team-lifting play when it is needed.
Stat Attack
The Panthers lead the NRL in kick return metres with 4123, fullback Dylan Edwards responsible for 1821 of those with his dynamic kick returning ability. The Raiders are eighth for kick return metres with 2958.
Match: Raiders v Panthers
Round 21 -
home Team
Raiders
9th Position
away Team
Panthers
1st Position
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
