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Match Preview

Sharks v Panthers: Same 17 for Fitzy; Sorensen into starting side

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pan66.com
Timestamp

A clash between two of the competition's heavyweights shapes up to be the match of the round with the Sharks coming off a statement win over the Roosters and the Panthers looking to bounce back from a narrow defeat.

The Sharks are shaping to be the team to beat in 2024, boasting a 9-1 record after downing the Storm and Roosters in recent weeks, well and truly rewriting the narrative that they can't beat the top teams. 

Craig Fitzgibbon's men won't have forgotten their last meeting with the premiers when they were shut out 28-0 at BlueBet Stadium and skipper Cameron McInnes was forced to make 81 tackles for his side. 

But the Shire boys will be keen for an opportunity to test themselves against the defending premiers and show their defensive resolve has come leaps and bounds this year. 

The Panthers, meanwhile, are in unfamiliar territory coming off their first loss since Round 5 and will be looking to rue the errors (11) and discipline (39 missed tackles) which ultimately cost them against the Warriors. 

Sportsbet Betting Preview - Sharks v Panthers

Team News

Sharks: The Sharks are 1-17 with no late changes. Stability is the catch cry in the Shire as the Sharks roll out the same 17 that knocked off the Roosters in Round 11. Halfback Nicho Hynes looks to press his Blues Origin claims further with another command performance while Cam Mcinnes, Jesse Ramien and Thomas Hazelton are also in the mix for rep honours. Mawene Hiroti is 18th man.

Panthers: The Panthers are 1-17 with no late changes. Scott orensen is promoted to the starting side after returning from a knee injury via the bench in Magic Round. Liam Henry returns from concussion and joins the bench with Luke Garner the man to miss out. Jesse McLean is 18th man.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
    Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan Edwards
  • Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa
    Winger for Panthers is number 2 Sunia Turuva
  • Centre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien
    Centre for Panthers is number 3 Izack Tago
  • Centre for Sharks is number 4 Kayal Iro
    Centre for Panthers is number 4 Paul Alamoti
  • Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo
    Winger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'o
  • Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Daniel Atkinson
    Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Jack Cole
  • Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes
    Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Jarome Luai

Forwards

  • Prop for Sharks is number 8 Thomas Hazelton
    Prop for Panthers is number 8 Moses Leota
  • Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
    Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Mitch Kenny
  • Prop for Sharks is number 10 Oregon Kaufusi
    Prop for Panthers is number 10 James   Fisher-Harris
  • 2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora
    2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Scott Sorensen
  • 2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton
    2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Liam Martin
  • Lock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnes
    Lock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah Yeo

Interchange

  • Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Jack Williams
    Interchange for Panthers is number 14 Daine Laurie
  • Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Siosifa Talakai
    Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Lindsay Smith
  • Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Royce Hunt
    Interchange for Panthers is number 16 Liam Henry
  • Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Tuku Hau Tapuha
    Interchange for Panthers is number 17 Matthew Eisenhuth

Reserves

  • Replacement for Sharks is number 18 Mawene Hiroti
    Replacement for Panthers is number 21 Jesse McLean

Match Officials

  • Referee: Gerard Sutton
  • Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
  • Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
  • Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • The Sharks have won six of their past seven games at PointsBet Stadium.
  • The Panthers have won six of their past seven games against the Sharks.
  • Sharks prop Tom Hazelton has scored four tries in his past five games.
  • The Panthers have not won at PointsBet Stadium since 2012.
  • Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo has scored 32 tries in 29 games at PointsBet Stadium.

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

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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.