Two of the competition's most in-form teams go head-to-head when the top-of-the-table Panthers host a resurgent Manly side.
Since Kieran Foran took over as interim coach in Round 5, the Sea Eagles are yet to lose a game and are gunning for five wins in a row when they travel to CommBank Stadium.
The Panthers however will present them with their toughest challenge yet and their shock Round 6 loss to the Bulldogs seems like a mere blimp on the radar - although the Dolphins did give then a run for their money in the heat of Darwin.
Last week, Penrith proved far too strong for the Knights, with a Dylan Edwards hat-trick on 20 minutes into the game effectively killing it as a contest.
- You can secure a $67 Family Pass by using the promo code PANTHERS67 when you go to Ticketmaster
Match: Panthers v Sea Eagles
Round 9 -
home Team
Panthers
1st Position
away Team
Sea Eagles
7th Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Team News
Panthers: Coach Ivan Cleary has the luxury of stability as the competition leaders return home to play the high-flying Sea Eagles. Cleary has named the same 19 that got the job done last week and it's unlikely he will make any late changes. Utility Jack Cogger will make his 100th NRL appearance. Billy Scott remained in the reserves when the squad was trimmed 24-hours out from the game.
Sea Eagles: A blow for Manly on Saturday with halfback Jamal Fogarty ruled out due to a groin injury suffered in last week's win over the Eels. Joey Walsh has been called into the starting side for his first match of the season and second NRL appearance. Veteran Nathan Brown is set for a recall after Corey Wadell suffered a pectoral injury that will keep him sidelined for up to 12 weeks. Centre Reuben Garrick has scored eight tries in his last eight games at CommBank Stadium. No other changes, with Zach Dockar-Clay remaining in the reserves when the squad was trimmed 24-hours out from the game.
Match: Panthers v Sea Eagles
Round 9 -
home Team
Panthers
away Team
Sea Eagles
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan EdwardsFullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Tolutau Koula
-
Winger for Panthers is number 2 Thomas JenkinsWinger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Jason Saab
-
Centre for Panthers is number 3 Paul AlamotiCentre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Clayton Faulalo
-
Centre for Panthers is number 4 Casey McLeanCentre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Reuben Garrick
-
Winger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'oWinger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Lehi Hopoate
-
Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Blaize TalagiFive-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Luke Brooks
-
Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Nathan ClearyHalfback for Sea Eagles is number 20 Joey Walsh
Forwards
-
Prop for Panthers is number 8 Moses LeotaProp for Sea Eagles is number 8 Taniela Paseka
-
Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Freddy LussickHooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Brandon Wakeham
-
Prop for Panthers is number 10 Lindsay SmithProp for Sea Eagles is number 10 Kobe Hetherington
-
2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Isaiah Papali'i2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Haumole Olakau'atu
-
2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Luke Garner2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Ben Trbojevic
-
Lock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah YeoLock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Jake Trbojevic
Interchange
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 14 Jack CoggerInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 Jake Simpkin
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Scott SorensenInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Nathan Brown
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 17 Billy PhillipsInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 16 Ethan Bullemor
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 18 Izack TagoInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 17 Siosiua Taukeiaho
Reserves
-
Reserve for Panthers is number 16 Kalani GoingReserve for Sea Eagles is number 18 Blake Wilson
-
Reserve for Panthers is number 21 Billy ScottReserve for Sea Eagles is number 19 Jackson Shereb
Match Officials
- Referee: Wyatt Raymond
- Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Panthers have won nine of their last 11 games against the Sea Eagles.
- The Sea Eagles have won three from three away from home this season.
- The Panthers have won eight of their last nine games at CommBank Stadium.
- Sea Eagles centre Reuben Garrick has scored eight tries in his last eight games at CommBank Stadium.
- Panthers utility Jack Cogger will make his 100th NRL appearance.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
