NSW Cup
Panthers vs Bulldogs
Belmore Oval - 3pm
Saturday 18th July
The Panthers NSW Cup team travels to Belmore Oval on Saturday afternoon to take on the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.
Garth Brennan has made a couple of alterations to his line-up ahead of the weekend’s game with Daniel Foster’s long awaited return from injury and Matt Eisenhuth has been named to start in the front row. Due to injuries in the first grade team, Brennan will be expecting a few changes closer to kick-off.
After a disappointing loss at home against Wyong, the Panthers are itching to get back on the field and get their season back on track. Over the past couple of weeks Penrith’s character has been tested in the later stages of games. A courageous comeback in the second half last week would have pleased Brennan, but the Panthers couldn’t hold on at the death. Coming into the finals, the Panthers have a point to prove.
The home side on the weekend, the Bulldogs are a team on this rise in the competition. They currently stand in fifth spot on the ladder and a finals charge is well and truly on the cards at Belmore. The Bulldogs are going to stretch the Panthers defensive line for the full 80 minutes and any lapse of concentration will be punished.
The Panthers still sit on top of the table, but there are a number of contenders ready to take the minor premiership crown off them. Saturday is sure to be a measure of the club’s season and the Panthers need a positive result on the weekend to kick-start their charge towards the finals.
PENRITH PANTHERS | Adrian Davis, Eddie Aiono, Robert Jennings, Chris Smith, Malakai Watene-Zelezniak, Isaac John, Will Smith, Matt Eisenhuth, Sione Katoa, Leilani Latu, Brendan Attwood, Ben Murdoch-Masila, Tupou Sopoaga
INTERCHANGE Andy Saunders, Stanley Waqa, Maliko Falino, Daniel Foster, Sam Hollis
