Penrith Panthers NSW Cup v Illawarra Cutters
Pepper Stadium
Kick-off: 3pm Saturday
FREE ENTRY
The Penrith Panthers NSW Cup side tackles Illawarra Cutters on Saturday in the final round of the season, still locked in a three-way battle for the minor premiership.
Coach Garth Brennan has made a host of changes to the side that defeated New Zealand Warriors 22-10 last week in Auckland. Four of the youngsters he fielded that day have returned to the Panthers NYC side this weekend, forcing Brennan to re-jig his lineup.
Malakai Waitene-Zelezniak moves in to the centres alongside Chris Smith, as Tom Eisenhuth takes his place on the wing. Sam Anderson returns to the side in the front row meaning Ben Murdoch-Masila shifts to the back row alongside Adam Docker and Matt Eisenhuth.
Brennan and the Panthers will be looking to avenge a 22-18 loss to the Cutters at WIN Stadium earlier in the year.
With the Cutters failing to make the finals, coach Scott Logan will have some experienced and exciting players to call on in their last game with Nathan Green, Russell Packer and the departing Rory O’Brien all being named.
The Panthers head into the final round of the NSW Cup sitting in third place on the ladder but level on points with both Wyong Roos and Mounties at the top of the table. Wyong entertain Wentworthville in the early kick-off on Saturday, while Mounties host the Warriors.
Penrith will need to win handsomely at Pepper Stadium and hope the other two results fall in their favour to come from behind and steal the minor premiership in 2015.
