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This afternoon Penrith Panthers play host to the Gold Coast Titans, who head to the foot of the mountains after two straight wins. We’ll have live scores and commentary from 3.00pm AEDT.
The Titans have struck a rich vein of form over the last two matches including a 36-0 annihilation of Canberra.
They backed that up with a very tough 16-14 win over NRL Premiership heavyweights Manly in round three last weekend.
The Panthers have done the exact opposite to the Titans. A 32-10 round one win over Canberra was followed by two defeats, 28-18 to the Tigers and 44-32 to the Rabbitohs.
Penrith will gain some confidence from last week despite the loss. After trailing 34-16 they came home with a wet sail and trailed by just two points with two minutes left to play.
Similarly, the Titans will feel that they have the firepower to match it with the best after toppling the undefeated Sea Eagles last weekend.
The Titan’s have named a full strength line-up including Ashley Harrison. Harrison was taken from the field on a medi-cab last weekend after falling victim to a Richie Fa’aoso shoulder charge.
The Penrith side includes experienced players Brad Tighe and Cameron Ciraldo who have both recently returned from injury.
The key to this match looks to be whether or not the Panthers pack can match it with the vastly experienced Titans forwards.
Myles, Bird, Harrison and Douglas coupled with Taylor and Bailey off the bench means an 80 minute onslaught.
The Panthers lack nothing in size either, with origin prop Tim Grant and behemoth Sam McKendry up front. But they will need to be at their very best against a white-hot Titans machine.
The match-up between halves Albert Kelly (Titans) and Luke Walsh (Panthers) will also be interesting.
Both are unfashionable types that, unlike many other clubs, are not their marquee players. Kelly has grabbed what appeared to be his last chance at the NRL with both hands and appears a much more mature footballer both on and off the park.
Walsh has taken a little while to establish himself as a regular top grader and really needs to make this his watershed year.
Look for the Panthers to show more discipline in defence after a 14-try match in stifling heat last weekend.
The Titans were tough despite losing Harrison last week and will be very confident heading into this.
Titans by 8.
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