3:00 pm SATURDAY AUGUST 24th 2024 GIO Stadium
- Raiders Look to Rebound Against Panthers After Disappointing Townsville Performance
- Raiders Struggle Continue as They Concede Seven Tries to Cowboys
- Raiders Face Challenging Run Home with Panthers, Roosters, and Dragons Ahead
- Team Changes: Jordan Rapana Returns as Fullback for Raiders
- Panthers Prepare to Fight for Home Final Spot Despite Cleary Injury
- Jarome Luai to Lead Panthers in Cleary’s Absence
- Key Stats
- Prediction
Raiders Look to Rebound Against Panthers After Disappointing Townsville Performance
Following a disheartening performance in Townsville that dashed their finals hopes, the Raiders now need to regroup as they prepare to face a Panthers side eager to bounce back.
Raiders Struggle Continue as They Concede Seven Tries to Cowboys
The Green Machine entered Round 24 just one game shy of the top eight but struggled to find their rhythm, conceding seven tries to a sharp Cowboys team that ran circles around them.
Raiders Face Challenging Run Home with Panthers, Roosters, and Dragons Ahead
The Raiders have now suffered three consecutive losses and face a challenging run home against the Panthers, Roosters, and Dragons, with this Saturday’s game being their only one on home turf.
Team Changes: Jordan Rapana Returns as Fullback for Raiders
Jordan Rapana (concussion) returns at fullback, pushing Kaeo Weekes to five-eighth and Adam Cook to the 18th man spot. Albert Hopoate takes his place on the wing, with Seb Kris moving to the centres as Ethan Strange (calf) remains sidelined.
Raiders. 1. Jordan Rapana 2. Albert Hopoate 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Kaeo Weekes 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Morgan Smithies 14. Danny Levi 16. Ata Mariota 17. Simi Sasagi 22. Corey Horsburgh 21. Jed Stuart 15. Emre Guler
Panthers Prepare to Fight for Home Final Spot Despite Cleary Injury
For the reigning premiers, losing superstar Nathan Cleary to a shoulder injury was a tough setback following their defeat to Melbourne. However, they’ve proven time and again this season that they can still find a way to succeed without their key playmaker.
Jarome Luai to Lead Panthers in Cleary’s Absence
Their hopes of securing another minor premiership seem out of reach, but they’ll be determined to fend off the Roosters and Sharks to secure a home final in the first week of the play-offs by finishing second.
With Cleary unlikely to return before the play-offs, the responsibility will fall on five-eighth Jarome Luai to guide the team and chart a course towards a fourth consecutive premiership.
Panthers. 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Daine Laurie 3. Izack Tago 4. Casey McLean 5. Brian To’o 6. Brad Schneider 7. Jarome Luai 8. Moses Leota 9. Luke Sommerton 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Mavrik Geyer 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Trent Toelau 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Liam Henry 20. Luke Garner 22. Sunia Turuva 18. Matt Eisenhuth
Referee. Grant Atkins, Touch Judges, Daniel Luttringer, Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski, Bunker, Adam Gee.
Key Stats
The Raiders haven’t beaten the Panthers at GIO Stadium since 2016.
The Panthers have claimed victory in their last five encounters with the Raiders.
The Raiders have allowed 88 points in their last two matches.
Panthers centre Izack Tago has crossed the line four times in his last three games.
Raiders winger Xavier Savage has scored four tries in his last five appearances at GIO Stadium.
Prediction
This matchup has all the signs of a potential danger game for the Panthers. The Raiders have been struggling lately, and while their chances of making the finals are slim, a win this week combined with some favourable results could shake things up. With the Raiders returning to their home ground and the Panthers coming off a tough loss to the Storm, this game could be much closer than anticipated. Although I’m inclined to favour Penrith due to their superior defensive structure, an upset wouldn’t be shocking. Go with the Raiders.
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