Refreshed from a week off, the Panthers return to action in Bathurst against a Wests Tigers side eager to halt a two-game winless run.
The bye in Round 6 probably came at a good time for Penrith, following a loss to the Sea Eagles in which they finally showed the signs of a growing injury toll.
Halfback Nathan Cleary remains sidelined but key forward Scott Sorensen is back and the week off will have done hobbled five-eighth Jarome Luai no harm.
Wests Tigers meanwhile failed to score over 17 points for the fourth time in five games this season in a loss to the Dragons last week, with Benji Marshall's men now in danger of losing much of the positive momentum generated by back-to-back wins in Rounds 3 and 4.
Despite having finished at the opposite end of the ladder to the Panthers in the last few seasons, Wests Tigers actually have a favourable record against Ivan Cleary's heavyweights, having won two of their past four against Penrith, including their lone meeting last year.
Match: Panthers v Wests Tigers
Round 7 -
home Team
Panthers
6th Position
away Team
Wests Tigers
12th Position
Venue: Carrington Park, Bathurst
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Panthers: Superstar playmaker Nathan Cleary remains sidelined with a hamstring injury so Brad Schneider again calls the shots alongside Jarome Luai, who is good to go despite leaving the field with a knee problem in Round 5. Scott Sorensen's return from a knee injury pushes Luke Garner back to the bench and Matt Eisenhuth to the reserves.
Wests Tigers: Young gun Lachlan Galvin returns from suspension at five-eighth with Brent Naden also joining the backline in place of Solomona Faataape in the centres. John Bateman (concussion) is back on deck so Alex Seyfarth goes to the bench. Samuela Fainu (concussion) and Latu Fainu (hamstring) also return on the bench so Justin Matamua and Jake Simpkin make way.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan EdwardsFullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Jahream Bula
-
Winger for Panthers is number 2 Sunia TuruvaWinger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Charlie Staines
-
Centre for Panthers is number 3 Izack TagoCentre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Brent Naden
-
Centre for Panthers is number 4 Taylan MayCentre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Justin Olam
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Winger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'oWinger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Junior Tupou
-
Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Jarome LuaiFive-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Lachlan Galvin
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Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Brad SchneiderHalfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Aidan Sezer
Forwards
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Prop for Panthers is number 8 Moses LeotaProp for Wests Tigers is number 8 Stefano Utoikamanu
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Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Mitch KennyHooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Apisai Koroisau
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Prop for Panthers is number 10 James Fisher-HarrisProp for Wests Tigers is number 10 David Klemmer
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2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Scott Sorensen2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Isaiah Papali'i
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2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Liam Martin2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 John Bateman
-
Lock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah YeoLock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Fonua Pole
Interchange
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 14 Daine LaurieInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Latu Fainu
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Lindsay SmithInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Alex Twal
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 16 Liam HenryInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Alex Seyfarth
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 17 Luke GarnerInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Samuela Fainu
Reserves
-
Replacement for Panthers is number 18 Jack ColeReplacement for Wests Tigers is number 18 Justin Matamua
-
Reserve for Panthers is number 19 Mavrik GeyerReserve for Wests Tigers is number 19 Asu Kepaoa
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Reserve for Panthers is number 20 Matthew EisenhuthReserve for Wests Tigers is number 20 Solomon Alaimalo
-
Reserve for Panthers is number 21 Paul AlamotiReserve for Wests Tigers is number 21 Jake Simpkin
-
Reserve for Panthers is number 22 Tyrone PeacheyReserve for Wests Tigers is number 22 Sione Fainu
Panthers Ins
- Jack Cole
- Mavrik Geyer
- Paul Alamoti
- Scott Sorensen
- Tyrone Peachey
Wests Tigers Ins
- Brent Naden
- John Bateman
- Lachlan Galvin
- Latu Fainu
- Samuela Fainu
- Sione Fainu
- Solomon Alaimalo
Panthers Outs
- Soni Luke
Wests Tigers Ins
- Jayden Sullivan
- Kit Laulilii
- Solomona Faataape
Match Officials
- Referee: Wyatt Raymond
- Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Panthers have won their past 10 daytime games.
- Wests Tigers have defeated the Panthers three times in their past seven clashes.
- The Panthers have won only two of their past five games in Bathurst.
- Wests Tigers have conceded only five second-half tries (ranked No.1 in the NRL).
- Panthers winger Sunia Turuva has scored six tries in his past four games.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the .
