Sportingbet Stadium
Friday, May 30
Gates open: 5.15
NRL kickoff: 7.40pm
TEAMS:
PANTHERS: 1.Matt MOYLAN, 2.Josh MANSOUR, 3.Dean WHARE, 4.Jamal IDRIS, 5.Dave SIMMONS, 6.Jamie SOWARD, 7.Peter WALLACE (C), 8.Sam MCKENDRY, 9.James SEGEYARO, 10.Brent KITE, 11.Sika MANU, 12.Elijah TAYLOR, 13.Adam DOCKER
Interchange: 14. Tim GRANT, 15. Jeremy LATIMORE, 16. Tyrone PEACHEY, 17. Lewis BROWN, 18. Matt ROBINSON
EELS: 1. Jarryd Hayne (c), 2. Semi Radradra, 3. Will Hopoate, 4. Ryan Morgan, 5. Ken Sio, 6. Corey Norman, 7. Chris Sandow, 8. Tim Mannah (c), 9. Nathan Peats, 10. Darcy Lussick, 11. David Gower, 12. Manu Mau, 13. Joseph Paulo
Interchange: 14. Pauli Pauli, 15. Peni Terepo, 16. Junior Paulo, 17. Mitch Allgood, 18. Lee Mossop
The Battle of the West comes to Penrith this Friday night, when the Panthers host the Eels in the clash of the round at Sportingbet Stadium. It’s been five weeks since our boys have played at home, and we’re expecting a sell out crowd!
Nobody would have predicted that these two sides would be sitting 3rd and 4th on the ladder, with just 11 for/against points separating them.
Parramatta came out on top when these two sides met back in round 4, posting a 32-16 win at Pirtek Stadium.
Penrith are in a slightly better position heading into Friday’s blockbuster, given we had no players in Origin 1, while Eels star fullback Jarryd Hayne and Will Hopoate are both looking at a 48 hour recovery following Blues duties up in Brisbane.
The Panthers have won their last two games against Canberra and Newcastle, and Ivan Cleary has named a near full strength side to take the field. Kevin Kingston and Nigel Plum have been given another week to rest, while Elijah Taylor and Lewis Brown will make their return from injury.
James Segeyaro will start at hooker once again, while Tyrone Peachey and Matt Robinson have been named on an extended bench.
Parramatta are slowly growing confidence as a team, having won four of their last six encounters, including a 36-0 victory over the Dragons two weeks ago. They have named a near full strength side with the exception of Willie Tonga who is out with a rib injury.
English International Lee Mossop is set to make his NRL debut in the blue and gold after being named on their extended bench for the first time this season.
The Panthers will be very keen to keep their winning streak alive and will want to even the score against their local rivals. We’ll be relying on the kicking game of Jamie Soward and Peter Wallace to guide our wingers over the line, while our big forward pack will have to shut down Hayne and his attackers before he gets too much room to guide his team around the park.
We’re looking at a sell-out crowd at Sportingbet Stadium so if you haven’t already pre-purchased tickets, head to www.ticketek.com.au
Gates open at 5.15pm.
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