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Panthers v Sharks: Leniu sidelined; Talakai to start

The high-flying Panthers will be out to pile on more pain in Cronulla's finals hopes when they clash at BlueBet Stadium on Saturday night. 

Penrith celebrated the return of Nathan Cleary with a comfortable 44-18 victory over the Bulldogs in Round 21 but across town in the Sutherland Shire was where the Sharks' season was put on the ropes by the Sea Eagles.

After winning three-straight and being well-placed for a top four finish last month, back-to-back losses has suddenly put Craig Fitzgibbon's side in a delicate spot on the ladder with rival clubs looking to leapfrog them. 

It doesn't get any easier for them with a clash against the premiers, who are on track for an elusive three-peat and have a recent record of 5-1 against the visitors. 

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Team news

Panthers: A switch an hour before kick-off with Lindsay Smith moving into the starting side and Moses Leota going to the bench. Spencer Leniu (knee) has been replaced on the bench by Matt Eisenhuth. Centre Izack Tago remains sidelined with a leg injury that forced him out of Sunday's game against the Bulldogs. 

Sharks: Braden Hamlin-Uele will start the match and Oregon Kaufusi goes to the bench in a game day swap. Ronaldo Mulitalo was ruled out in Friday's 24-hour update so Siosifa Talakai will start in the centres and Connor Tracey goes to the wing. Braydon Trindall remains the preferred five-eighth, which leaves Matt Moylan as the 18th man after he was dropped from the side ahead of Round 21. Captain Wade Graham is back from a toe injury and starts in the second row in place of Jesse Colquhoun (suspended). With no Dale Finucane, Cameron McInnes starts at lock. 

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan Edwards
    Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
  • Winger for Panthers is number 2 Sunia Turuva
    Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa
  • Centre for Panthers is number 3 Tyrone Peachey
    Centre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien
  • Centre for Panthers is number 4 Stephen Crichton
    Centre for Sharks is number 15 Siosifa Talakai
  • Winger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'o
    Winger for Sharks is number 4 Connor Tracey
  • Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Jarome Luai
    Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon Trindall
  • Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Nathan Cleary
    Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes

Forwards

  • Prop for Panthers is number 10 James Fisher-Harris
    Prop for Sharks is number 10 Toby Rudolf
  • Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Mitch Kenny
    Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
  • Prop for Panthers is number 15 Lindsay Smith
    Prop for Sharks is number 20 Braden Hamlin-Uele
  • 2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Scott Sorensen
    2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora
  • 2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Liam Martin
    2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Wade Graham
  • Lock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah Yeo
    Lock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnes

Interchange

  • Interchange for Panthers is number 8 Moses Leota
    Interchange for Sharks is number 8 Oregon Kaufusi
  • Interchange for Panthers is number 14 Soni Luke
    Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Jack Williams
  • Interchange for Panthers is number 16 Matthew Eisenhuth
    Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Thomas Hazelton
  • Interchange for Panthers is number 17 Zac Hosking
    Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Royce Hunt

Reserves

  • Replacement for Panthers is number 19 Luke Garner
    Replacement for Sharks is number 18 Matt Moylan

Match Officials

  • Referee: Gerard Sutton
  • Touch Judge: Dave Munro
  • Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • The Sharks have not won at BlueBet Stadium since Round 18, 2018.
  • The Panthers have won five of their past six games against the Sharks.
  • Panthers centre Tyrone Peachey has scored six tries in his past three games at BlueBet Stadium.
  • Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo has scored 16 tries in his past 17 games.
  • Panthers second-rower Scott Sorensen will play his 100th NRL game.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.

Acknowledgement of Country

Penrith Panthers players and staff respect and honour the traditional custodians of the land and pay our respects to their elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.