7:35 pm SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 7th 2024 BLUEBET STADIUM PENRITH
Titans Aim to End Tough Season on a High Note
The Titans finish their season with one of the toughest away trips in the competition but will be out to claim an upset against the Panthers to end a tough year on a high.
The Gold Coast team displayed glimpses of their potential in last round’s clash against the Knights, but their defensive weaknesses were exposed, conceding three tries in 10 minutes and putting themselves firmly on the back foot.
Panthers Celebrate Milestones in Final Regular-Season Appearance
The Penrith Panthers will be striving to celebrate a momentous night in the club’s history when they host the Gold Coast Titans in the final round of the home-and-away season.
In their final regular-season appearance at Mulgoa Road before two years of redevelopment, two of the club’s greatest forwards will celebrate significant milestones.
Captain Isaah Yeo will make his 242nd first-grade appearance, equalling Steve Carter as Penrith’s most-capped player, while departing front-rower James Fisher-Harris will become just the tenth player in club history to reach 200 games.
Confirming a top four finish with a 34-12 win over the Rabbitohs last Friday, coach Ivan Cleary has been boosted by the return of Scott Sorenson in a reshuffle that sees Luke Garner move to the bench and Matt Eisenhuth relegated to the extended squad.
A win on Saturday evening will guarantee second position and a home qualifying final for the reigning premiers, while a loss could see the side finish as low as fourth should the Roosters and Sharks both win.
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. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Trent Toelau 15. Lindsay Smith, 16. Liam Henry 17. Luke Garner 18. Matt Eisenhuth 20. Casey McLean
The Gold Coast Titans will be aiming to close out a disappointing season on a high note by claiming a rare victory over the reigning premiers.
Coming into the final round without the burden of needing to avoid the wooden spoon despite going down 36-14 to the Knights last Sunday, coach Des Hasler has received mixed news on the selection front with Keano Kini returning at fullback, Arama Hau making his NRL debut off the bench and David Fifita ruled out with injury.
Titans Look to Spoil Panthers’ Party
The Titans have had little to celebrate at Penrith over the years with three wins from nine visits; no players remain from the last Gold Coast team to triumph at the foot of the mountains in 2016.
Saturday night’s result will have little effect on the Titans’ final standing, as a win would keep them in 14th place, while a loss could drop them to 15th if the Rabbitohs win the night before.
Titans
6. Jayden Campbell 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Beau Fermor , 5. Jojo Fifita 19. Tanah Boyd 7. Kieran Foran 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills , 10. Jaimin Jolliffe 11. Chris Randall 12. Klese Haas 13. Isaac Liu 14. Jacob Alick-Wiencke , 15. Erin Clark 16. Keenan Palasia 17. Arama Hau 18. Josiah Pahulu 21. Tony Francis
Referee. Chris Butler, Touch Judges, Jon Stone, Daniel Luttringer, Bunker, Matt Noyen.
Head-to-Head and Key Stats
The Panthers have won 9 of their last 10 matches against the Titans.
The Titans haven’t claimed a victory at BlueBet Stadium since 2016.
Panthers winger Sunia Turuva has crossed the line 8 times in 9 games at BlueBet Stadium this season.
Titans winger Jojo Fifita has scored 7 tries in his last 4 outings.
Panthers prop James Fisher-Harris will mark his 200th NRL appearance.
Prediction.
This is likely to be the Panthers’ final game at the current BlueBet Stadium before redevelopment begins. A win against the Titans would secure second place on the ladder and guarantee two home finals. After a standout performance in last week’s 34-12 victory over the Rabbitohs, Jarome Luai will once again be pivotal in the halfback role.
James Fisher-Harris also plays his 200th NRL game this week. An absolute workhorse in the front row for many years, he has been an integral part of the Panthers dynasty, and his side will no doubt be hoping to send him off a winner once again before he heads home to New Zealand next year.
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