8:00 pm FRIDAY AUGUST 30th 2024 BLUEBET STADIUM PENRITH
Panthers Look to Rebound After Back-to-Back Losses
Having suffered back-to-back losses for the first time since Round 8-9 last year, the Panthers are determined to rebound against a Rabbitohs side struggling with injuries and confidence.
Premiers Drop to Fourth Place; Top-Four Battle Intensifies
The defeat to Canberra saw the premiers drop from second to fourth on the ladder. With the red-hot Bulldogs hot on their heels in fifth, the Panthers need to secure victories against Souths and the Titans to solidify their top-four position.
Panthers Rely on Jarome Luai and New Additions in Backline
With Nathan Cleary sidelined at least until the finals, the Panthers are counting on Jarome Luai to lead their attack alongside Brad Schneider.
Sunia Turuva and Paul Alamoti are the new faces in the backline, taking over from Daine Laurie and Casey McLean. Hooker Mitch Kenny’s return from suspension pushes Luke Sommerton to the reserves.
Panthers
1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Brian To’o 6. Brad Schneider 7. Jarome Luai 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Luke Garner 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo, 14. Trent Toelau 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Liam Henry 17. Mavrik Geyer , 18. Matt Eisenhuth 19. Daine Laurie 20. Casey McLean 21. Luron Patea 22. Luke Sommerton
Rabbitohs’ Struggles Continue; Cameron Murray’s Suspension a Blow
The Rabbitohs have lost six of their past seven matches and are now only ahead of the Eels and Wests Tigers on the ladder—a significant drop for a team that reached four preliminary finals in five seasons between 2018 and 2022.
The return of Cody Walker from concussion will provide a boost but the Rabbitohs appear to be crawling to the finish line in 2024 before embarking on a new era under Wayne Bennett in 2025.
South Sydney
1. Jye Gray 2. Tyrone Munro 3. Taane Milne 4. Fletcher Myers 5. Jacob Gagai 6. Jack Wighton 7. Cody Walker 8. Davvy Moale 9. Damien Cook 10. Sean Keppie 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Tallis Duncan 13. Cameron Murray, 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Jacob Host 16. Thomas Burgess 17. Siliva Havili , 18. Dean Hawkins 19. Liam Le Blanc 20. Brock Gray 21. Izaac Tu’itupou Thompson 22. Richard Kennar
Cameron Murray was on Sunday charged with a grade two careless high tackle and was facing a two-game suspension if he entered an early guilty plea.
Instead, the star lock fronted the judiciary panel on Tuesday night in a bid to downgrade the charge but failed.
He received a three-game suspension, which rules him out of the Rabbitohs remaining two games of this season and their Round 1 clash of next season — unless he can serve one game during the internationals later this year.
Referee. Peter Gough, Touch Judges. David Munro, Kieren Irons ,Bunker. Chris Butler
Key Stats and Predictions for Round 26 Matchup
The Panthers have won 11 of their past 13 games against the Rabbitohs.
The Rabbitohs have not won at BlueBet Stadium since 2019.
Panthers back-rower Luke Garner will make his 100th NRL appearance.
Rabbitohs five-eighth Cody Walker requires two tries to reach a century of NRL tries.
Panthers coach Ivan Cleary will reach 250 games at the helm of the club.
Prediction
I can’t believe I am writing this, but the Panthers have lost back-to-back games to drop out of the race for the minor premiership. They currently sit in fourth position, with the Bulldogs hot on their tails. They really need to win this game against a Rabbitohs team that just doesn’t seem to care anymore. Surely at home they will get the campaign back on track in a big way. Panthers here.
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