Penrith Panthers
18
Match Complete
Parramatta Eels
32
| T. Jenkins |  | 77 | ||
| L. Martin | | 75 | ||
| 72 | | M. Sivo | ||
| N. Cleary |  | 65 | ||
| N. Cleary | | 65 | ||
| 43 | | C. Gutherson | ||
| 42 | | C. Gutherson | ||
| 36 | | C. Gutherson | ||
| 25 | | C. Gutherson | ||
| 23 | | M. Sivo | ||
| 21 |  | C. Gutherson | ||
| 19 | | M. Sivo | ||
| T. Peachey | | 12 | ||
| 5 | | C. Gutherson | ||
| 3 | | M. Sivo |
| 4 | Tries | 6 | ||
| 1 | Conversions | 3 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 1 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Round 26 of the NRL premiership commences tonight when the Penrith Panthers take on the Parramatta Eels at BlueBet Stadium in Penrith. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:50pm (AEST).
At the start of the season, many would have pencilled in this clash as being one of the best games of the season. Traditional rivalry, last season’s grand finalists, battle of 2 of the best halves in the NRL. The reality of course is very different with the Eels now out of finals contention.
The Panthers continued on their merry way last weekend with a 40-14 win over the Titans. The Titans grabbed an early lead but, once the Panthers found their groove, it was pretty much one way traffic.
Penrith play the grind better than any other team in the competition. They kick for territory, attack in defence and take advantage of opportunities when they arise. It’s simple but highly effective.
There is only one change to last round’s line up, with Brian To’o back in the team after being rested. Tom Jenkins joins the reserves.
The Eels were undermanned but the 34-12 loss to the Roosters at home last weekend, in a do or die clash, was really disappointing. Their forward pack was not far from full strength and they struggled to fire a shot.
Missing the finals altogether must be a big concern for Brad Arthur. The Eel’s premiership window is slightly ajar but will rapidly close if they don’t learn their lessons from this year.
The coach has resisted making wholesale changes, with Shaun Lane returning from injury and named on the bench in place of Brendan Hands.
Prediction
Traditional rivalry or not, this one is more important for the Panthers as they edge closer to a minor premiership.
The Eels will be looking to put a spanner in those plans but it won’t be enough to derail the Penrith train.
Panthers by 20
Game information
Venue: BlueBet Stadium, Penrith
Kick-off: 7:50pm (AEST)
TV: Nine, Fox League
Streaming: Kayo Sports
Odds: Panthers $1.09, Eels $7.50 – odds via PlayUp
Teams
Panthers
1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Tyrone Peachey 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary (c) 8. Moses Leota 9. Jack Cogger 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Zac Hosking 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo
Reserves: 14. Soni Luke 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Luke Garner
Eels
1. Clint Gutherson (c) 2. Maika Sivo 3. Will Penisini 4. Bailey Simonsson 5. Sean Russell 6. Daejarn Asi 7. Dylan Brown 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Joey Lussick 10. Junior Paulo 11. Ryan Matterson 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. J’maine Hopgood
Reserves: 14. Luca Moretti 15. Shaun Lane 16. Wiremu Greig 17. Joe Ofahengaue
Panthers
Roar Rookie
Perhaps. Yet Parramatta just kept going wide to easily find holes . With a bit of luck , both Tago & Crichton will play centres come finals time. Without Luai , they most likely fall short anyway. That’s the way it goes. Just a note for the Bulldogs next season. Crichton is a centre & looks far better at centre. :thumbup:
The Barry
Roar Guru
I don’t know the two young players… but I don’t think semi finals is the time to be blooding rookies in key positions though I prefer Salmon at 6 over Cogger. Neither is as good as Luai (obviously) but I think a salmon has way more upside than Cogger I thought the Panthers middle wasn’t great tonight. I have huge wraps on JFH, Leota and Leniu, but thought they got owned by the Parra middle. Hopefully it fires them up
Stormy
Roar Rookie
Very glad it's not us that has to play them next round, Jimmmy. I, sincerely, wish you the best of luck.
Andy J
Roar Rookie
He wasn’t travelling forward and the ball travelled 2-3 m forward I can’t work the physics
Panthers
Roar Rookie
Under the other story about the Luai injury. I commented that I think Ivan will be conservative as always . He will go with Cogger , maybe Salmon at 5/8? My thoughts are that they aren’t any great shakes in attack . So he could go with a young player like Trent Toelau, who looks an exciting prospect, or Jack Cole . Who can play 5/8 or centre . With one of the others as back up. What do you think?
The Barry
Roar Guru
Surely not…
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
Against the Sharks - every bounce of the ball,every 50/50 went there way.Tonight it was Karma .Given a even share of the ball Parra has shown they are beatable.
Muzz Manyana
Roar Rookie
Sure. Go back and look at the history books and you’ll find countless premiership winning teams who lost the odd game with their best team on the park. It happens! I’m sure most RL fans would love to have a B with 8 rep players on the field.
Cam
Roar Rookie
Ivan had intimated rotation next week, it will be interesting if that plan sticks. He won't want to go into the finals with back to back losses to bottom 8 teams.
David Holden
Roar Guru
Thanks for joining the blog tonight. A big round of footy awaits
David Holden
Roar Guru
We can't read too much into Penrith with so many players out, but the Broncos are now in a position to win the minor premiership. The bigger question concerns the shoulder injury to Luai and just how long he will be out for. Penrith play the Cowboys next Saturday night in a game which will mean nothing to them if the Broncos beat the Raiders and Storm beforehand
Panthers
Roar Rookie
I don’t think so. Parramatta always has more of a go against Penrith. They & West’s probably try harder against Penrith than any other side. It’s also a very different side , to the side Penrith could field. Not saying that Parramatta with the big effort wouldn’t have win anyway? Roosters fielded the best side they could have & were well prepared for that game. Biggest question is about Luai.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
On that great note I'll be off to bed.
AJ Mithen
Expert
Just as we all suspected
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Absolutely would still have got flogged with their full table leading team playing, eh ? Pfft.
David Holden
Roar Guru
The Eels have caused one of the upsets of the season tonight with a big win over the Panthers. Brad Arthur will be wondering where this form has been all season but he will be happy to finish the season in style. They will need a minor miracle to qualify for semi finals
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
panthers look like they're tanking -particularly at $1.05 in the Betting.Panthers were done before the Luai injury.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Crazy game Well done Parra Surely Cleary cans whatever resting plans he has for next weekend and gets his best lineup out there next week It was good sportsmanship from the Parra players looking after Luai Social media has heaps of people calling Luai a g.rub while celebrating his injury… the hypocrisy seems to be missed on most…
Rellum
Roar Guru
I don't know if you can take much out of that game
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Well played Parra. Too much footy for Penrith . Penrith ? Well they have been a little cheeky with all this resting players. Had to bite them one day. I don't think it means much.