Penrith Panthers v Wests Tigers
Campbelltown Stadium
Kick-off: 3pm Saturday
Bristling from a recent run of defeats, the Penrith Panthers NSW Cup side travels to Campbelltown on Saturday to tackle Wests Tigers.
The past few weeks have been a harsh reality check for the Panthers. Three consecutive losses have seen them relegated from the top of the competition table back to third on points difference.
The side’s tame 24-10 defeat at the hands of the Bulldogs at Belmore last weekend saw both Warriors and Mounties pull ahead in the race for the minor premiership.
However coach Garth Brennan has a key inclusion for Saturday’s clash in the shape of fullback Kieran Moss.
After six weeks on the sideline, Moss returns from injury, shifting last week’s custodian Brent Naden to the centres. With Will Smith currently playing up in the NRL side, Moss’ return has come at an opportune time.
Brennan has also given Sam Scarlett the nod at halfback, with Chris Smith dropping back to the bench and Adrian Davis named 18th man.
Closing out games has been a problem for the Panthers in the past month and they will be hoping Scarlett’s accurate passing and kicking game will add some much-needed composure to their attack.
The last time these two sides met a missed conversion was the difference as the Panthers escaped with a tight 12-10 win at Pepper Stadium.
This time the Tigers will be fresh coming off a bye and desperate for a victory which could potentially elevate them back into the competition’s top eight.
PENRITH PANTHERS | Kieran Moss, Eddie Aiono, Brent Naden, Maliko Filino, Malakai Watene-Zelezniak, Isaac John, Sam Scarlett, Andy Saunders, Sione Katoa, Matt Eisenhuth, Tupou Sopoaga, Ben Murdoch-Masila, Leilani Latu.
INTERCHANGE: Brendan Attwood, Oliver Clark, Stanley Waqa, Chris Smith, Adrian Davis.
