Roar Guru
Panthers
30
Match Complete
Raiders
10
N. Cleary | 75 | |||
N. Cleary | 73 | |||
N. Cleary | 64 | |||
C. Staines | 64 | |||
59 | J. Croker | |||
N. Cleary | 39 | |||
J. Luai | 37 | |||
N. Cleary | 33 | |||
M. Burton | 32 | |||
N. Cleary | 28 | |||
C. Staines | 26 | |||
13 | J. Croker | |||
11 | J. Wighton |
5 | Tries | 2 | ||
5 | Conversions | 1 | ||
0 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Show Preview
Round 5 continues tonight when the Penrith Panthers host the Canberra Raiders at BlueBet Stadium in Penrith. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:55pm (AEST).
We’ve got match of the round tonight when two competition heavyweights go head-to-head in what promises to be a classic. By the end of it, we may have one or two clues as to how this season will play out.
The Panthers have started this NRL season the same way they finished last year’s regular season: pretty much unbeatable. They smashed the woeful Sea Eagles last week but have ground out wins out as well, edging the Storm by two points the weekend before.
The Panthers’ mobile forward pack is reveling in the faster playing conditions, whilst Penrith’s left edge is the best in the competition. With Api Koroisau and Dylan Edwards still to return, optimism is high in western Sydney.
The Panthers suffered no injuries against Manly and have named the same 17.
After injuries played a big part in their loss to the Warriors, the Raiders bounced back with a clinical 20-4 win over the Titans last weekend.
The Raiders’ strength lies in their big forward back who very rarely lose the yardage battle in the middle. From there, George Williams and Jack Wighton cause plenty of problems.
Joseph Tapine returns from an ankle injury and will start at lock. Josh Papalii returns as starting prop with Ryan James moved to the bench. Dunamis Lui is the one to miss out.
Prediction
Leaving the Warriors loss aside, the Raiders and Panthers have the two miserly defences in the league.
However, the Panthers do ask more questions in attack.
For that reason, think should win this one.
Panthers by 8.
Kick-off: 7:55pm (AEST)
Venue: BlueBet Stadium, Sydney
TV: Nine, Fox Sports
Live stream: Kayo Sports, Foxtel Now, Foxtel Go, 9Now
Odds: Panthers $1.39, Raiders $3 (odds via PlayUp)
Panthers
1. Stephen Crichton, 2. Charlie Staines, 3. Paul Momirovski, 4. Matt Burton, 5. Brian To’o, 6. Jarome Luai, 7. Nathan Cleary, 8. Moses Leota, 9. Mitch Kenny, 10. James Fisher-Harris, 11. Viliame Kikau, 12. Kurt Capewell, 13. Isaah Yeo
Bench/Reserves: 14. Tyrone May, 15. Spencer Leniu, 16. Matthew Eisenhuth, 17. Liam Martin, 18. Scott Sorensen, 19. Robert Jennings, 20. J’maine Hopgood, 21. Jaeman Salmon
Raiders
1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Bailey Simonsson, 3. Jarrod Croker, 4. Sebastian Kris, 5. Jordan Rapana, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. George Williams, 8. Josh Papali’i, 9. Josh Hodgson, 10. Ryan Sutton, 11. Hudson Young, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. Joseph Tapine
Bench/Reserves: 14. Tom Starling, 15. Siliva Havili, 16. Iosia Soliola, 17. Ryan James, 18. Sam Williams, 19. Semi Valemei, 20. Dunamis Lui, 21. Corey Harawira-Naera
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