SUNDAY, JUNE 9th 2024 BLUEBET STADIUM, PENRITH
Panthers vs. Sea Eagles: Round 14 Showdown at BlueBet Stadium
The Panthers and Sea Eagles will be anxiously awaiting the availability of their Origin stars as they prepare for a crucial Round 14 showdown at BlueBet Stadium on Sunday.
Injury Woes
Already without Nathan Cleary due to a hamstring injury, the Panthers faced another setback when fullback Dylan Edwards sustained a quad injury in NSW camp, cruelly denying him an Origin debut.
Origin Stars Return
With three full days for their Origin stars to recover from Game One, coaches Ivan Cleary and Anthony Seibold are hopeful that most players will be able to back up. As of Friday, Penrith back-rower Liam Martin (ankle) is the only confirmed absentee.
Manly has Tolutau Koula (shoulder) available, but they will be missing superstar Tom Trbojevic, who was in devastating form when Manly stunned the Panthers 32-18 at 4 Pines Park in Round 5.
Head-to-Head
The Panthers have won eight of their past nine games against the Sea Eagles.
The Sea Eagles have not defeated the Panthers twice in a season since 2011.
The Panthers have not lost consecutive games at BlueBet Stadium since 2019.
Sea Eagles centre Tommy Talau has scored five tries in his past five games.
Panthers winger Brian To’o has scored 16 tries in his past 13 games at BlueBet Stadium.
Line-ups
Panthers
1. Daine Laurie 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Brian To’o 6. Jack Cole , 7. Jarome Luai 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Scott Sorensen , 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo , 14. Trent Toelau 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Liam Henry , 17. Luke Garner, 18. Brad Schneider 19. Mavrik Geyer 20. Matt Eisenhuth 21. Jesse McLean 22. Preston Riki 23. Dylan Edwards 24. Tyrone Peachey
Manly
1. Lehi Hopoate 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Tommy Talau, 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Karl Lawton 10. Josh Aloiai , 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic, 14. Gordon Chan Kum Tong, 15. Corey Waddell 16. Toafofoa Sipley 17. Nathan Brown , 18. Ethan Bullemor , 19. Raymond Tuiamalo Vaega 20. Jaxson Paulo 21. Jamie Humphreys 22. Ben Condon , 23. Jake Simpkin
Referee, Gerard Sutton, Touch Judges, Liam Kennedy, Wyatt Raymond, Bunker, Chris Butle
Match Preview
Both sides welcome back a host of players returning from Origin. For the Panthers, Brian To’o, Isaah Yeo, Jarome Luai, and Liam Martin return from the Blues’ loss. Meanwhile, Manly sees the return of Jake Trbojevic and Haumole Olakau’atu, along with the victorious Maroons captain Daly Cherry-Evans.
The home side is coming off a shock 22-10 loss to the Dragons at BlueBet Stadium, despite leading 10-0 at half-time in the pouring rain. A near full-strength Panthers team will be eager to correct last week’s mistakes and restore their previously excellent home record.
By contrast, Manly enjoyed a bye after a hard-fought home win against Melbourne in Round 12. With two weeks of preparation, they will be well-rested heading into the game.
Prediction
Both teams will be feeling the bruises of the State of Origin opener and how the players back up will make a big difference to the outcome of this game. I don’t think the Panthers will lose a third game in a row especially at home.
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