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Panthers v Knights: JFH, Laurie out; Best hamstrung

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Timestamp

After weathering an early storm against the Dolphins in Round 20, the Penrith Panthers look to be back in ominous form after outclassing the Dragons in their last match, with the Knights next in their sights.

Halfback Nathan Cleary continued to stamp his comeback from injury with another showstopping performance, scoring a hat-trick in his side's 46-10 win.

While Penrith celebrated their win, they picked up fresh injury concerns with Warriors-bound prop James Fisher-Harris facing a month on the sideline with a groin injury.

Fullback Daine Laurie left the field in the 20th minute and failed his HIA after a head clash with Dragons fullback Mat Feagai, and won't be available this week.

The Knights come into this game off the bye but were humbled at home in their last start against the Broncos, going down 30-14. 

The match also dealt the side a big injury blow, with Blues Game Three star Bradman Best succumbing to a hamstring injury. 

Sportsbet Betting Preview - Panthers v Knights

Team News

Panthers: Matt Eisenhuth will start the game and Lindsay Smith goes to the bench in a late switch. With Dylan Edwards (knee) and Daine Laurie (head knock) both sidelined, Isaiah Iongi makes his NRL debut at fullback. Luron Patea is 18th man.

Knights: The Knights are 1-17 with no late changes. Halfback Jackson Hastings has been dropped with Phoenix Crossland taking over in the No.7 and Jayden Brailey starting at hooker. The absence of Bradman Best with a hamstring injury sees Dylan Lucas again shift to the centres and Adam Elliott join the back row in his return from a calf injury. Jack Cogger is the new man on the bench. Tom Cant is 18th man.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Isaiah Iongi
    Fullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn Ponga
  • Winger for Panthers is number 2 Sunia Turuva
    Winger for Knights is number 2 Fletcher Sharpe
  • Centre for Panthers is number 3 Izack Tago
    Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
  • Centre for Panthers is number 4 Casey McLean
    Centre for Knights is number 4 Dylan Lucas
  • Winger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'o
    Winger for Knights is number 5 Greg Marzhew
  • Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Jarome Luai
    Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Tyson Gamble
  • Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Nathan Cleary
    Halfback for Knights is number 7 Phoenix Crossland

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 Jayden Brailey
  • Prop for Panthers is number 15 Matthew Eisenhuth
    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 12 Liam Martin
    2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Kai Pearce-Paul 
  • Lock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah Yeo
    Lock for Knights is number 13 Adam Elliott

Interchange

  • Interchange for Panthers is number 10 Lindsay Smith
    Interchange for Knights is number 14 Jack Cogger
  • Interchange for Panthers is number 14 Trent Toelau
    Interchange for Knights is number 16 Jack  Hetherington
  • Interchange for Panthers is number 16 Liam Henry
    Interchange for Knights is number 17 Mat Croker
  • Interchange for Panthers is number 17 Mavrik Geyer
    Interchange for Knights is number 18 Thomas Cant

Reserves

  • Replacement for Panthers is number 18 Luron Patea
    Replacement for Knights is number 19 Brodie Jones

Match Officials

  • Referee: Adam Gee
  • Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
  • Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
  • Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • The Panthers have won 13 of their past 15 games against the Knights.
  • The Knights have not won at BlueBet Stadium since 2018.
  • Panthers winger Brian To’o has scored six tries in six games against the Knights.
  • The Knights have won four of their past five away games.
  • Panthers hooker Mitch Kenny will make his 100th NRL appearance.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, 

Related

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