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.Sam MCKENDRY 11.Sika MANU 12.Isaah YEO 13.Adam DOCKER
INTERCHANGE: 14. Lewis BROWN, 15. Jeremy LATIMORE, 16.Matt ROBINSON, 17. Tim GRANT, 18. Kevin KINGSTON, 20. Sam ANDERSON, 21. Ryan SIMPKINS
DRAGONS: 1.Adam QUINLAN 2. Brett MORRIS 3. Josh DUGAN 4. Gerard BEALE 5. Jason NIGHTINGALE 6. Gareth WIDDOP 7. Benji MARSHALL 8.Ben CREAGH (c) 9.Mitch REIN 10.Mike COOPER 11.Leeson AH MAU 12.Joel THOMPSON 13.Jack DE BELIN.
INTERCHANGE: 14.Bronson HARRISON 15.Trent MERRIN 16.Will MATTHEWS 17.Jack STOCKWELL 18.Shane PUMIPI 19.Dan HUNT
Following last week’s strong win over the Canterbury Bulldogs, the Panthers take on the St George Illawarra Dragons at Win Stadium in Wollongong on Sunday afternoon and with both teams having loads to play for, this is sure to be a great battle. For the Dragons, who sit just two points outside the eight in 11th place this is a game they need to win to keep their finals hopes alive. On the other hand, the Panthers will be looking to maintain their position in the top 4 as the action at the top of the ladder heats up.
Much has been said this week about the loss of players Elijah Taylor, Brent Kite and Bryce Cartwright to injury, but this has again given the Panthers the chance to showcase their depth with players such as Isaah Yeo, Matt Robinson, Tim Grant, Sam Anderson, Kevin Kingston and Ryan Simpkins all named this week in an extended squad after being consistent performers for the NSW Cup side.
Last time these two teams faced off was in Round 14 at Sportingbet Stadium where the Panthers prevailed in a tough match 18-14. This weekend’s game is sure to be a similar tight affair with the Dragons coming off a narrow 30-22 loss against the in form Sydney Roosters despite dominating parts of the game.
The Dragons will again look to the strike power that their two wingers provide as well as the spark that halves Benji Marshall and Gareth Widdop to get them across the line. Whilst the Panthers will look to build on the tough defensive efforts that they showed last week, particularly in the middle of the park where they will again need to aim up against a big opposition.
KEY MATCH UPS
Adam Docker v Jack De Belin: These two young locks play very similar games and have two of the best tackling techniques in the game, ensuring that this will be one tough match up.
Josh Mansour v Jason Nightingale: These two wingers are two of the more prolific try scorers in the game and both players get their team’s sets off to a great start with big meters.
