The premiers are lurking in sixth spot and full of momentum after six wins on the trot as they head into a danger game against the unpredictable Wests Tigers.
When the two sides clashed in Round 14 at CommBank Stadium the game went down to the wire, with Nathan Cleary's goalkicking proving the difference after both sides scored three tries.
The Panthers clung on to win 18-14 that day and have since knocked off the Warriors, Bulldogs, Eels and Rabbitohs to have all the title contenders looking over their shoulders.
Wests Tigers are locked in a battle to avoid a fourth straight wooden spoon but at least found their way back into the winner's circle last Sunday in a dour scrap with the Titans.
Match: Panthers v Wests Tigers
Round 21 -
home Team
Panthers
6th Position
away Team
Wests Tigers
13th Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Panthers: Superstars Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo returns from a post-Origin rest while Liam Martin (wrist) has been listed among the reserves. Star winger Brian To'o has been named to play despite ongoing knee and hamstring concerns. Centre Izack Tago's return from suspension pushes Paul Alamoti to 18th man. Brad Schneider slides to the bench and Jack Cole makes way.
Wests Tigers: Former Rabbitoh Izaac Thompson will play his first game for the Tigers after scoring 12 tries in 18 NSW Cup appearances for Wests. Charlie Staines is the man to make way. Skipper Api Koroisau is named to start after coming off the bench last week.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan EdwardsFullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Sunia Turuva
-
Winger for Panthers is number 2 Thomas JenkinsWinger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Izaac Tu'itupou
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Centre for Panthers is number 3 Izack TagoCentre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Taylan May
-
Centre for Panthers is number 4 Casey McLeanCentre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Starford To'a
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Winger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'oWinger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Jeral Skelton
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Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Blaize TalagiFive-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Jarome Luai
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Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Nathan ClearyHalfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Latu Fainu
Forwards
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Prop for Panthers is number 8 Moses LeotaProp for Wests Tigers is number 8 Terrell May
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Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Mitch KennyHooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Apisai Koroisau
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Prop for Panthers is number 10 Lindsay SmithProp for Wests Tigers is number 10 Alex Twal
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2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Luke Garner2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Alex Seyfarth
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2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Isaiah Papali'i2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Tony Sukkar
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Lock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah YeoLock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Adam Doueihi
Interchange
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Interchange for Panthers is number 14 Brad SchneiderInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Tristan Hope
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Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Liam HenryInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Jack Bird
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Interchange for Panthers is number 16 Luron PateaInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Fonua Pole
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 17 Matthew EisenhuthInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Sione Fainu
Reserves
-
Replacement for Panthers is number 18 Paul AlamotiReplacement for Wests Tigers is number 18 Brent Naden
-
Reserve for Panthers is number 19 Liam MartinReserve for Wests Tigers is number 22 Krystian Mapapalangi
Panthers Ins
- Isaah Yeo
- Izack Tago
- Liam Martin
- Nathan Cleary
Wests Tigers Ins
- Brent Naden
- Izaac Tu'itupou
Panthers Outs
- Jack Cole
- Mavrik Geyer
- Scott Sorensen
Wests Tigers Ins
- Charlie Staines
Match Officials
- Referee: Peter Gough
- Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Panthers have won six of their last eight games against Wests Tigers.
- Wests Tigers fullback Sunia Turuva has scored six tries in his last four games at CommBank Stadium.
- The Panthers have won their last five games at CommBank Stadium.
- The Wests Tigers’ line-up includes four players who won premierships with the Panthers.
- Panthers winger Thomas Jenkins has scored five tries in his last five games at CommBank Stadium.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the
