The battle between second and 12th looks to be a mismatch on recent form but the absence of five Panthers on Origin duty offers the Dragons hope of an upset.
With Jarome Luai, Isaah Yeo, Liam Martin, Brian To'o and Dylan Edwards in Blues camp and Nathan Cleary out injured, the Panthers' renowned depth will again be tested as they look to navigate the tricky Origin period.
The Dragons will be without Maroons reps Ben Hunt and Jaydn Su'A as well as Blues debutant Zac Lomax so coach Shane Flanagan could well turn to son Kyle to shift to halfback and steer the ship.
Having won just one of their past four games and conceded 138 points in the process the Dragons are in danger of losing touch with the top eight should they not be able to turn things around against the Panthers, Wests Tigers and Sea Eagles ahead of a Round 16 bye.
Panthers playmaker Jack Cole will be monitored after suffering a hamstring injury against the Sharks while Matt Eisenhuth failed a HIA.
The Dragons are set to be without centre Jack Bird (ankle) and prop Hame Sele (shoulder).
Match: Panthers v Dragons
Round 13 -
home Team
Panthers
2nd Position
away Team
Dragons
12th Position
Venue: BlueBet Stadium, Penrith
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Stat Attack
- The Panthers have won their past six games against the Dragons.
- The Dragons have lost their last 10 games without halfback Ben Hunt.
- The Panthers have won 13 of their past 14 games at BlueBet Stadium.
- Dragons winger Mikaele Ravalawa has scored four tries in four games against the Panthers.
- Panthers winger Sunia Turuva has scored seven tries in his past five games at BlueBet Stadium.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the
