SATURDAY,APRIL 27th,2024 QUEENSLAND COUNTRY BANK STADIUM,TOWNSVILLE
Panthers Aim for Fifth Win as They Face Slumping Cowboys
The Panthers aim to secure their fifth victory in six games as they prepare to face the struggling Cowboys in Townsville on Saturday night.
Panthers Solid Start Despite Challenges
Penrith have been solid without being spectacular to open the season, which is completely understandable after capturing three consecutive premierships.
Panthers Remain Victorious Despite Cleary’s Absence
Despite the Panthers not starting with full force, they’ve still clinched victory in four out of six games.
LATE MAIL. The Panthers have copped a double blow with Moses Leota and Scott Sorensen ruled out of their clash with the Cowboys forcing a reshuffle in their pack.
Nathan Cleary, the star halfback, missed the last three games due to a hamstring injury but is set to return for this crucial clash.
Cowboys’ Recent Struggles
Meanwhile, the Cowboys have been horrendous over the last couple of weeks, going down to an Eels side without Mitch Moses before suffering a heavy 42-6 loss to the Sharks in Round 7.
Cowboys’ Defensive Woes
North Queensland have the second-worst defence in the NRL and have leaked 129 points in their last four games.
It’s clear that with such defensive performances, the Cowboys won’t be making it to the finals.
Cowboys.
1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Tomas Chester 5. Semi Valemei 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Griffin Neame 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter , 14. Jake Granville 15. Jason Taumalolo 16. Sam McIntyre 17. Thomas Mikaele, 18. Viliami Vailea 19. Jack Gosiewski 20. Marly Bitungane 21. Jamal Shibasaki 22. Jake Clifford
Panthers
1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Taylan May 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo, 14. Daine Laurie 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Liam Henry 17. Luke Garner , 18. Matt Eisenhuth 19. Paul Alamoti 20. Brad Schneider 21. Mavrik Geyer 22. Tyrone Peachey
Referee. Kasey Badger, Touch Judges, Nick Morel, Jarrod Cole, Bunker, Adam Gee
Key Stats
Cowboys have lost three of their last four games
Cowboys have leaked 129 points in their last four games
Five of Cowboys’ last six defeats have been by 10+ points
In their previous encounter, the Panthers secured a commanding victory over the Cowboys with a scoreline of 44-12.
Sunia Turuva has been prolific this season, scoring eight tries in six games.
Brian To’o has demonstrated consistent scoring form against the Cowboys, finding the try line in each of his last five games against them.
Izack Tago has scored three tries in six games this season
Kyle Feldt has scored a try in seven of his last eight home outings & plays his 200th career game
Prediction.
Well really the Cowboys have been terrible recently, so I have to go with the Panthers. Cleary will lead them round the park and they will do their thing.
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