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After meeting in the 2022 grand final these two western Sydney powerhouses have taken very different paths.

The Panthers took the spoils that night and then made it three straight premierships in 2023 and now sit second on the table with a fourth title in a row a very real possibility.

The Eels slumped to 10th spot last year and find themselves sitting 16th in 2024 with a 5-14 record, although they will be buoyed by a sensational win over the Warriors in Round 22.

With new coach Jason Ryles on his way to the club there is plenty of motivation for the Eels to finish the year strongly and give them some momentum to take into the off-season.

The Panthers are within grasp of another minor premiership and will be keen to use this clash as a springboard into a monster Round 24 clash with the Storm which could well decide who takes home the JJ Giltinan Shield.

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Team News

Eels: The Eels are 1-17 with no late changes as Trent Barrett sticks with the same squad that downed the Warriors last week. Makahesi Makatoa is the 18th man.

Panthers: Late changes with Matt Eisenhuth starting the game, Luron Patea joining the bench and Liam Henry dropping out. Daine Laurie returns from a head knock and is looking to line up at fullback. Asu Kepaoa is 18th man,

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Eels is number 1 Clinton Gutherson
    Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Daine Laurie
  • Winger for Eels is number 2 Jake Tago
    Winger for Panthers is number 2 Sunia Turuva
  • Centre for Eels is number 3 Will Penisini
    Centre for Panthers is number 3 Izack Tago
  • Centre for Eels is number 4 Blaize Talagi
    Centre for Panthers is number 4 Casey McLean
  • Winger for Eels is number 5 Sean Russell
    Winger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'o
  • Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Dylan Brown
    Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Jarome Luai
  • Halfback for Eels is number 7 Daejarn Asi
    Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Nathan Cleary

Forwards

  • Prop for Eels is number 8 Reagan Campbell-Gillard
    Prop for Panthers is number 8 Moses Leota
  • Hooker for Eels is number 9 Brendan Hands
    Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Mitch Kenny
  • Prop for Eels is number 10 Wiremu Greig
    Prop for Panthers is number 15 Matthew Eisenhuth
  • 2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Shaun Lane
    2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Scott Sorensen
  • 2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Bryce Cartwright
    2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Liam Martin
  • Lock for Eels is number 13 Ryan Matterson
    Lock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah Yeo

Interchange

  • Interchange for Eels is number 14 Joey Lussick
    Interchange for Panthers is number 10 Lindsay Smith
  • Interchange for Eels is number 15 Joe Ofahengaue
    Interchange for Panthers is number 14 Trent Toelau
  • Interchange for Eels is number 16 Matt Doorey
    Interchange for Panthers is number 17 Mavrik Geyer
  • Interchange for Eels is number 17 Dan Keir
    Interchange for Panthers is number 18 Luron Patea

Reserves

  • Replacement for Eels is number 22 Makahesi Makatoa
    Replacement for Panthers is number 21 Asu Kepaoa

Match Officials

  • Referee: Peter Gough
  • Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
  • Senior Review Official: Liam Kennedy

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • The Eels have lost four of their past five games at home.
  • The Panthers have not defeated the Eels at CommBank Stadium since 2019.
  • The Eels have not won back-to-back games in 2024.
  • Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary has scored 52 points in his past three games.
  • Eels fullback Clint Gutherson has scored five tries in his past seven games against the Panthers.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, 

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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.

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