The premiers have won four on the trot and enter Round 19 on the back of a bye and a stunning victory over the Bulldogs.
That 8-6 triumph in Round 17 had finals football written all over it as the Panthers' big guns stood tall to remind everyone that their quest for a fifth straight title is very much alive.
If the Panthers are to keep the roll going much will depend on how Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo, Liam Martin, Dylan Edwards and Brian To'o come through Origin Three and whether they back up.
The Eels will have a keen eye on how star winger Zac Lomax comes through Wednesday night's decider as his aerial ability is critical to their chances of avenging an 18-10 loss to Penrith in Round 13.
Match: Eels v Panthers
Round 19 -
home Team
Eels
16th Position
away Team
Panthers
7th Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Team News
Eels: Former Tiger Tallyn Da Silva has been named on the interchange for his first game as an Eel. Charlie Guymer starts in place of Kelma Tuilagi (suspended) while Sam Tuivaiti returns from a syndesmosis injury on the bench. Experienced outside back Bailey Simonsson is listed among the reserves after returning from a foot injury through NSW Cup last week.
Panthers: Coach Ivan Cleary has listed his five Origin stars in the reserves and will make a final call later in the week on Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo, Liam Martin, Dylan Edwards and Brian To'o. Should Cleary not back up, Brad Schneider will call the shots at halfback while Daine Laurie, Paul Alamoti, Matt Eisenhuth and Isaiah Papali'i are all in the 17 as it stands and ready to step up.
Match: Eels v Panthers
Round 19 -
home Team
Eels
away Team
Panthers
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Eels is number 1 Isaiah IongiFullback for Panthers is number 1 Daine Laurie
-
Winger for Eels is number 2 Zac LomaxWinger for Panthers is number 2 Thomas Jenkins
-
Centre for Eels is number 4 Sean RussellCentre for Panthers is number 3 Izack Tago
-
Centre for Eels is number 21 Bailey SimonssonCentre for Panthers is number 4 Casey McLean
-
Winger for Eels is number 5 Josh Addo-CarrWinger for Panthers is number 5 Paul Alamoti
-
Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Dylan BrownFive-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Blaize Talagi
-
Halfback for Eels is number 7 Dean HawkinsHalfback for Panthers is number 7 Brad Schneider
Forwards
-
Prop for Eels is number 8 Jack WilliamsProp for Panthers is number 8 Moses Leota
-
Hooker for Eels is number 22 Joash PapaliiHooker for Panthers is number 9 Mitch Kenny
-
Prop for Eels is number 10 Junior PauloProp for Panthers is number 10 Lindsay Smith
-
2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Charlie Guymer2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Luke Garner
-
2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Kitione Kautoga2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Isaiah Papali'i
-
Lock for Eels is number 15 Dylan WalkerLock for Panthers is number 23 Isaah Yeo
Interchange
-
Interchange for Eels is number 13 J'maine HopgoodInterchange for Panthers is number 13 Matthew Eisenhuth
-
Interchange for Eels is number 14 Tallyn Da SilvaInterchange for Panthers is number 15 Liam Henry
-
Interchange for Eels is number 16 Matt DooreyInterchange for Panthers is number 16 Luron Patea
-
Interchange for Eels is number 17 Sam TuivaitiInterchange for Panthers is number 19 Nathan Cleary
Reserves
-
Replacement for Eels is number 18 Jordan SamraniReplacement for Panthers is number 17 Mavrik Geyer
Match Officials
- Referee: Peter Gough
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
- Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Eels have lost seven from eight against top-eight teams.
- The Panthers have won their past three games against the Eels.
- Eels winger Josh Addo-Carr requires one try for 150 NRL tries.
- The Panthers have won 20 of their last 23 daytime games.
- Eels prop Junior Paulo will play his 200th game for the club
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
