The Panthers and Sea Eagles will be sweating on the availability of their Origin stars as they head into a crucial Round 14 showdown at BlueBet Stadium on Sunday.
Already missing Nathan Cleary to a hamstring injury, the Panthers lost prop Moses Leota (hamstring) during the loss to the Dragons, while fullback Dylan Edwards suffered a quad injury in NSW camp.
The premiers also have Isaah Yeo, Brian To'o, Liam Martin and Jarome Luai lining up for NSW in Wednesday night's Origin opener, while Manly have Daly Cherry-Evans, Jake Trbojevic and Haumole Olakau'atu in action at Accor Stadium.
With three full days for their Origin stars to recover from Game One, coaches Ivan Cleary and Anthony Seibold will be hoping the majority can back up, but no risks will be taken with so much football still to be played in 2024.
The Sea Eagles will be hoping to have fullback Tolutau Koula (shoulder) back on deck while Luke Garner (leg) and Matt Eisenhuth (concussion) are in the frame to return for the Panthers.
One man who won't be there is Sea Eagles superstar Tom Trbojevic, who was at his devastating best in Round 5 when Manly stunned the Panthers 32-18 at 4 Pines Park.
Match: Panthers v Sea Eagles
Round 14 -
home Team
Panthers
3rd Position
away Team
Sea Eagles
7th Position
Venue: BlueBet Stadium, Penrith
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Stat Attack
- The Panthers have won eight of their past nine games against the Sea Eagles.
- The Sea Eagles have not defeated the Panthers twice in a season since 2011.
- The Panthers have not been beaten in consecutive games at BlueBet Stadium since 2019.
- Sea Eagles centre Tommy Talau has scored five tries in his past five games.
- Panthers winger Brian To’o has scored 16 tries in his past 13 games at BlueBet Stadium.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services,
