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Panthers v Knights: Origin contingent rested; Saifiti good to go

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After playing out a golden point thriller two months ago, the Panthers and Knights meet again after both suffering narrow losses in Round 16. 

Newcastle had their hearts broken when Nathan Cleary kicked Penrith to a 16-15 win back in Round 7, and since then things have been a struggle for Adam O'Brien's men, with just two wins from their last seven games. 

The Panthers on the other hand were the competition's hottest team prior to suffering defeat at the hands of the Cowboys in golden point last Friday, in what was their first loss since the end of April. 

Penrith have had it all over the Knights in recent times and haven't lost to them in their past seven meetings, while stretching back to 2014 Newcastle have tasted victory over this week's opponent just twice in 16 meetings. 

At BlueBet Stadium this year the Panthers have won four of five games, with their sole loss coming in their season opener against the Broncos. 

Sportsbet Betting Preview - Panthers v Knights

Team News 

Panthers: No further changes on game day after the club's Origin reps dropped out on Friday. Tyrone Peachey starts at centre, Thomas Jenkins on the wing while Jaeman Salmon returns to the halves to partner Jack Cogger. Scott Sorensen and Zac Hosking are the back row duo while Matt Eisenhuth shifts back to lock for Isaah Yeo. Luke Garner joins the bench in jersey 20 with Liam Henry named as 18th Man.

Knights: The Knights are 1-17 with no late changes. Daniel Saifiti takes his place in the starting front row after missing last week with a sternum issue, while Greg Marzhew returns on the wing after being dropped last week for failing to meet team standards. Tyson Frizell is set to back up from Origin II, but rookie Dylan Lucas keeps his spot due to Lachlan Fitzgibbon being stood down after failing a HIA in Round 16. Brodie Jones remains in the squad as 18th Man.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan Edwards
    Fullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn Ponga
  • Winger for Panthers is number 2 Sunia Turuva
    Winger for Knights is number 2 Dominic Young
  • Centre for Panthers is number 3 Izack Tago
    Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
  • Centre for Panthers is number 21 Tyrone Peachey
    Centre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best
  • Winger for Panthers is number 22 Thomas Jenkins
    Winger for Knights is number 5 Greg Marzhew
  • Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 17 Jaeman Salmon
    Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Tyson Gamble
  • Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Jack Cogger
    Halfback for Knights is number 7 Jackson Hastings

Forwards

  • Prop for Panthers is number 8 Moses Leota
    Prop for Knights is number 8 Daniel Saifiti
  • Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Mitch Kenny
    Hooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix Crossland
  • Prop for Panthers is number 10 James Fisher-Harris
    Prop for Knights is number 10 Leo Thompson
  • 2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Scott Sorensen
    2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Tyson Frizell
  • 2nd Row for Panthers is number 18 Zac Hosking
    2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Dylan Lucas
  • Lock for Panthers is number 19 Matthew Eisenhuth
    Lock for Knights is number 13 Adam Elliott

Interchange

  • Interchange for Panthers is number 14 Soni Luke
    Interchange for Knights is number 14 Kurt Mann
  • Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Lindsay Smith
    Interchange for Knights is number 15 Jacob Saifiti
  • Interchange for Panthers is number 16 Spencer Leniu
    Interchange for Knights is number 16 Jack  Hetherington 
  • Interchange for Panthers is number 20 Luke Garner
    Interchange for Knights is number 17 Mat Croker

Reserves

  • Replacement for Panthers is number 23 Liam Henry
    Replacement for Knights is number 18 Brodie Jones

Match Officials

  • Referee: Ben Cummins
  • Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
  • Senior Review Official: Gerard Sutton

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • Both sides sit in the NRL's top three for tackle breaks this year, with the Panthers leading the way with an average of 39.9 per game and the Knights third, averaging 38.4.
  • Knights wing Dom Young sits equal top of the NRL try-scoring charts with 16, despite having played two less games than the other player on that number, Maika Sivo. 
  • The Panthers have won 11 and drawn one of their past 13 games against the Knights.
  • The Knights have won only one from six away from home in 2023.
  • The Knights are aiming for their 400th win since joining the premiership in 1988.
  • The Panthers have won six of their past seven games at BlueBet Stadium.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the 

Related

Acknowledgement of Country

National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.