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Refreshed from a week off, the Panthers return to action in Bathurst against a Wests Tigers side eager to halt a two-game winless run.

The bye in Round 6 probably came at a good time for Penrith, following a loss to the Sea Eagles in which they finally showed the signs of a growing injury toll.

Halfback Nathan Cleary remains sidelined but key forward Scott Sorensen is back and the week off will have done hobbled five-eighth Jarome Luai no harm.

Wests Tigers meanwhile failed to score over 17 points for the fourth time in five games this season in a loss to the Dragons last week, with Benji Marshall's men now in danger of losing much of the positive momentum generated by back-to-back wins in Rounds 3 and 4.

Despite having finished at the opposite end of the ladder to the Panthers in the last few seasons, Wests Tigers actually have a favourable record against Ivan Cleary's heavyweights, having won two of their past four against Penrith, including their lone meeting last year.

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Team News

Panthers: Paul Alamoti makes his club debut in the centres in place of Taylan May (personal matter). The squad is otherwise unchanged with Jarome Luai (knee) good to go following the bye and Scott Sorensen back from a knee injury. Luke Garner moves back to the bench. 

Wests Tigers: Will take the field as named on Tuesday, with Lachlan Galvin (suspension), John Bateman (concussion), Samuela Fainu (concussion) and Latu Fainu (hamstring) all back on deck for Benji Marshall's side.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan Edwards
    Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Jahream Bula
  • Winger for Panthers is number 2 Sunia Turuva
    Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Charlie Staines
  • Centre for Panthers is number 3 Izack Tago
    Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Brent Naden
  • Centre for Panthers is number 21 Paul Alamoti
    Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Justin Olam
  • Winger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'o
    Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Junior Tupou
  • Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Jarome Luai
    Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Lachlan Galvin
  • Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Brad Schneider
    Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Aidan Sezer

Forwards

  • Prop for Panthers is number 8 Moses Leota
    Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Stefano Utoikamanu
  • Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Mitch Kenny
    Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Apisai Koroisau
  • Prop for Panthers is number 10 James Fisher-Harris
    Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 David Klemmer
  • 2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Scott Sorensen
    2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Isaiah Papali'i
  • 2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Liam Martin
    2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 John Bateman
  • Lock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah Yeo
    Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Fonua Pole

Interchange

  • Interchange for Panthers is number 14 Daine Laurie
    Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Latu Fainu
  • Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Lindsay Smith
    Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Alex Twal
  • Interchange for Panthers is number 16 Liam Henry
    Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Alex Seyfarth
  • Interchange for Panthers is number 17 Luke Garner
    Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Samuela Fainu

Reserves

  • Replacement for Panthers is number 20 Matthew Eisenhuth
    Replacement for Wests Tigers is number 18 Justin Matamua

Match Officials

  • Referee: Wyatt Raymond
  • Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
  • Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
  • Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • The Panthers have won their past 10 daytime games.
  • Wests Tigers have defeated the Panthers three times in their past seven clashes.
  • The Panthers have won only two of their past five games in Bathurst.
  • Wests Tigers have conceded only five second-half tries (ranked No.1 in the NRL).
  • Panthers winger Sunia Turuva has scored six tries in his past four games.

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.