NRL:
Panthers NRL v Roosters
Monday, 23rd March
Allianz Stadium
Kick off: 7PM
The Panthers and the Roosters will meet for the first time since last year’s qualifying final match, when they go head to head on Monday night in a round 3 blockbuster at Allianz Stadium.
Ivan Cleary has made a couple of changes for the game with Jamie Soward sidelined after undergoing back surgery during the week. Isaac John will step up to first grade as his replacement, after making his return from last year’s Achilles injury. Josh Mansour also returns to the team after off-season surgery.
Monday night’s game will be a big test for our boys against a Roosters side who have opened their season strongly. A narrow loss to the Rabbitohs last week will give them even more incentive to get a win over Penrith, who are two wins from two games.
We’re looking forward to an explosive halves match-up between Panthers Captain Peter Wallace and John against the Roosters James Maloney and Mitchell Pearce, who are strategic, fast and very efficient up the centre of the field.
The Penrith forward pack has been dominating over the first 2 rounds, but they will be up against some of the most intimidating forwards in the competition.
The match- up between Sam Mckendry and Roosters prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is an interesting one with both Kiwi internationals performing at the peak of their powers so far this season.
Our boys will be out to prove that their 1 point finals win against the Roosters last year was no fluke.
PENRITH PANTHERS | Matt Moylan, Josh Mansour, Dean Whare, Jamal Idris, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Isaac John, Peter Wallace ©, Sam Mckendry, James Segeyaro, Brent Kite, Sika Manu, Lewis Brown, Elijah Taylor, Tyrone Peachey, Jeremy Latimore, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Bryce Cartwright.
NSW Cup:
Panthers v Newtown
Saturday, 21st March
Pepper Stadium, Penrith
Kick off: 3PM
After a gutsy win in Bathurst on the weekend, our NSW Cup team will be aiming to maintain top spot on the ladder at home against the Jets.
Coach Garth Brennan has made a few changes to his side with a few players sitting this week out with injury. Kieran Moss has had surgery on his broken foot, while Ben Murdoch-Masila is nursing a knee injury that will have him sidelined for a couple of weeks.
Looking at the positive - George Jennings is back in the side after his impressive performance as fill-in for Josh Mansour in first grade. He lines up alongside younger brother Robert, and together, they promise to be an attacking weapon against the Jets.
Other changes include Waqa Blake’s switch to fullback, Nu’u Akeripa’s inclusion in the centre position, Will Smith and Sam Scarlett taking their place in the halves and James Fisher-Harris’ spot in the starting line up in the number 10 jersey.
The strong defensive structures set by Coach Brennan were great to see against the Bears. The metres gained from the big men were an important factor in the boy’s dominance for the full 80 minutes against Norths. Penrith is confident that they can back-up their massive effort from last week and keep the momentum going.
So far this season Will Smith has been instrumental in several successful attacking moves. His running game has been especially impressive and he will be looking to showcase all of his skills when he gets more touches of the ball this week.
A look at the Jets - they have had a disappointing start to the season and they will be hoping for an upset win away from home. This doesn’t mean they are any less hungry than the Panthers to grab those two competition points on Saturday, so our boys will have to be switched on from the starting whistle.
PENRITH PANTHERS | Waqa Blake, George Jennings, Robert Jennings, Nu’u Akeripa, Eddie Aiona, Will Smith, Sam Scarlett, Sam Anderson, Api Koroisau, James Fisher-Harris, Tupou Sopoaga, Isaah Yeo, Adam Docker, Rodney Coates, Andy Saunders, Leilani Latu, Chris Smith, Liam Ayoub, Brendan Attwood.
NYC:
Panthers v Roosters
Monday 23rd March
Allianz Stadium
Kick off: 4:45PM
A disappointing loss in Bathurst was tough to take for Cameron Ciraldo’s team. After giving up a 12 point lead against the Titans, they’ve been working on defence all week, and that will be the focus for Monday night’s game against the Roosters.
Our young guns learned a lot from last weekend’s game. After a strong opening half, we lost composure in the second 40 minutes and handed the Gold Coast the win. We lacked discipline and we were lazy in attack and it cost us two competition points.
We’ve done a bit of re-shuffling this week and we’re taking a refreshed approach to our Roosters clash.
The changes include Brent Naden’s switch to fullback, Tyrone May’s move into the halves, and Logan Geyer’s shift to the second row.
We will have a good attacking side this week but they won’t have the chance to be complacent with a red hot Roosters forward pack ready to make amends for last week’s loss to South Sydney.
PENRITH PANTHERS | Brent Naden, Manu Enise, Christian Crichtoon, Jack Nelson, Joshua Jay, Tyrone May, Soni Luke, Oliver Clark, Sione Katoa, Paea Pua, Logan Geyer, Dave Cowhan, Dylan Fuad, Maliko Filino, Kade Ellis, Thompson Tuigamala, Dylan Edwards, Soni Hala, Corey Harawira.
