PANTHERS: 1. Matt MOYLAN, 2. Josh MANSOUR, 3. Dean WHARE, 4. Jamal IDRIS, 5. Dave SIMMONS, 6. Will SMITH, 7. Jamie SOWARD, 8. Nigel PLUM, 9. James SEGEYARO, 10. Brent KITE, 11. Sika MANU, 12. Elijah TAYLOR, 13. Adam DOCKER
INTERCHANGE: 14. Lewis BROWN, 15. Jeremy LATIMORE, 16. Bryce CARTWRIGHT, 17. Sam MCKENDRY, 18. Isaah YEO
BULLDOGS: 1. Sam PERRETT, 2. Corey THOMPSON, 3. Tim LAFAI, 4. Moses MBYE, 5. Mitch BROWN, 6. Josh REYNOLDS, 7. Trent HODKINSON, 8. Sam KASIANO, 9. Michael ENNIS, 10. James GRAHAM, 11. Josh JACKSON, 12. Tony WILLIAMS, 13. Greg EASTWOOD
INTERCHANGE: 14. Reni MAITUA, 15. Dale FINUCANE, 16. David KLEMMER, 17. Lloyd PERRETT
After suffering two losses in a row for the first time this year, the Panthers will be looking to revive some of the form that finds them sitting in third place on the NRL ladder after 20 rounds. This week the boys will be travelling up the M4 to ANZ stadium to face the Bulldogs, who are in a very similar position to the Panthers. The fact that both teams are equal on 26 points and are both coming off back to back losses ensures that this will be a hard fought clash once again.
This was definitely the case in round 3 when these two teams faced off at Sportingbet Stadium, with the Panthers coming away with a memorable victory following a conversion by fullback Matt Moylan after the final siren had sounded. The Panthers boys will be looking for a similar result to get them back in the winner’s circle and get the season back on track.
Unfortunately, as revealed earlier in the week, the team will be without Captain Peter Wallace for this game, and for the rest of the year, meaning five eight Will Smith gets the opportunity to make his NRL debut. Josh Mansour makes his return from injury on the wing this week after having a couple of weeks off and wing partner David Simmons is back in the side after a successful return from injury in NSW Cup last week.
The Bulldogs will be also boosted with the return of Origin five eight Josh Reynolds after he served the final of his three week suspension last week and he will be looking to make up for lost time. He will be playing behind one of the biggest forward packs in the competition with the likes of Tony Williams, Sam Kasiano and English front rower James Graham. The Panthers will need to aim up in defence to contain these forwards and limit the effectiveness of the origin halves pairing.
KEY MATCH UPS
Soward v Reynolds: This clash sees two of the most competitive halves in the competition come up against each other and, with what is at stake, neither will be taking a backward step in trying to steer their team to victory.
Ennis v Segeyaro: These two players are vastly different in style and in experience, but the battle around the rucks will be one of the most important of the game and promises to an exciting and intriguing matchup.
