NRL
Panthers v Sharks
Sunday, April 26
Pepper Stadium, Penrith
Kickoff: 2pm
The Panthers will be looking to put last weekend’s disappointing loss to the Titans behind them when they return to Pepper Stadium for their ANZAC weekend clash against the in-form Cronulla Sharks.
Ivan Cleary has again been forced to make even more changes to his side this week after losing winger Josh Mansour for 6 weeks with a medial tear to his knee, while Brent Kite will be sidelined for 8 weeks after suffering a broken leg last round. These injuries have paved the way for George Jennings to make a return to the side, and Sam Mckendry will move into the starting line up at prop.
There are still injury clouds hanging over Elijah Taylor and Lewis Brown who will be given last minute fitness ahead of Sunday’s match, and Tupou Sopoaga, Will Smith and Robert Jennings have been named on an extended bench to give Coach plenty of options for game day.
There is some positive news though - Dean Whare has been named to make his return from injury which will add some experience and some fire power to our centres. His link up play with Matt Moylan and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak was a crucial cog in the Panthers attacking machine in 2014.
Discipline and team work has been the focus at training this week after a lacklustre showing against the Gold Coast. Cronulla are going to be tough opponents who will be keen to continue their recent run of good form. They have defeated the Roosters and Souths in their last two rounds but they will be coming off the back of a short turnaround following their wet and soggy match in the Shire on Monday night.
This weekend’s match promises to be something special with a number of ANZAC commemorations before kickoff, and of course – the players will be wearing our unique ANZAC jerseys. Special thanks to all of our major sponsors who have generously agreed to remove their logos for this round.
PENRITH PANTHERS | Matt Moylan, George Jennings, Dean Whare, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Api Koroisau, Isaac John, Sam Mckendry, James Segeyaro, Jeremy Latimore, Sika Manu, Isaah Yeo, Nigel Plum, Tyrone Peachey, Sam Anderson, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Bryce Cartwright, Tupou Sopoaga, Robert Jennings, Will Smith.
NSW Cup
Panthers v Mounties
Saturday, April 25
St Mary’s Leagues Stadium, St Mary’s (location change due to flooding)
Kickoff: 3pm
Penrith will have their work cut out for them this weekend when they face top of the table Mounties at St Mary’s Leagues Stadium tomorrow. NSWRL had to make a late location change after this week’s storms flooded Aubrey Keech Oval on the Central Coast.
The Panthers managed a come-from-behind win over the Warriors last weekend but Coach Garth Brennan has had to do a bit of re-shuffling this week after some of his Cup regulars got first grade call ups.
David Simmons will move to fullback after spending a bit of time there last round, and Will Smith’s inclusion in the side is still to-be-confirmed as he is named in the NRL team as well. We have been given a big boost though with Ben Murdoch-Masila officially named this week after his return from injury against the Warriors.
At home last week our boys rose above some first half blunders to take home the 2 points. Sam Scarlett was particularly impressive with his organisation in attack. He controlled the sets with maturity and class as our forwards charged through the Warriors defence. Along with Will Smith, the last tackle decision making was outstanding in the second half.
On Saturday the same shaky first half display could prove to be devastating against the benchmark of the competition. Mounties have made quite the impression on the competition winning 7 from 7 and they show no signs of slipping up anytime soon.
PENRITH PANTHERS | David Simmons, Eddie Aiono, Robert Jennings, Nu’u Akeripa, Tom Eisenhuth, Will Smith, Sam Scarlett, Andy Saunders, Sione Katoa, Leilani Latu, Ben Murdoch-Masila, Chris Smith, Brendan Attwood, Rodney Coates, Wellington Albert, Matt Eisenhuth, Pat Hollis, Reece Goldsmith.
NYC
Panthers v Sharks
Sunday, April 26
Pepper Stadium, Penrith
Kickoff: 11.45am
Our Holden Cup boys head into this weekend’s match against the Sharks high on confidence and eager to make it four wins in a row, after their victory over the Titans last round.
Coach Cameron Ciraldo was impressed with the shift his team put in away from home and has rewarded the effort by naming an almost identical squad this week. Fuimanu Enise keeps hold of the number 2 jersey for Josh Jay who is out for the season and Stanton Albert starts at Prop again this week.
After an early season player shake up, Ciraldo has now confidently settled on a side which is getting the results he’s after. There is still plenty of talent waiting in the wings though, so those players will have to continue to perform to hold onto their spots.
The Sharks haven’t had the best start to the season but they are coming off a win over Souths last weekend which will fill them with confidence.
PENRITH PANTHERS | Brent Naden, Manu Enise, Christian Crichton, Maliko Filino, Jack Nelson, Dylan Edwards, Soni Luke, Stanton Albert, Tyrone May, Moses Leota, James Fisher-Harris, Corey Harawira, Oliver Clark, Paea Pua, Soni Hala, Thompson Tuigamala, Kade Ellis.
