Another taste of finals comes early as the table topping Raiders and premiers Penrith travel to Mudgee for a Friday night blockbuster with huge ramifications for both sides.
The Raiders can take a giant step towards their first minor premiership since 1990 with a win over the fifth-placed Panthers, who had their nine-game winning streak halted by the Storm in a golden point thriller in Round 24.
The defending champs must regroup quickly as they gear up for a testing run home with games against the Raiders, Bulldogs and Dragons.
Ivan Cleary's men sit one point behind the fourth-placed Warriors, who face the Titans, Eels and Sea Eagles in their final three games.
A unique atmosphere is guaranteed at the picturesque Glen Willow Oval as league fans come from far and wide to get a glimpse of star playmakers Nathan Cleary and Jamal Fogarty and flashy finishers Brian To'o, Izack Tago, Kaeo Weekes and Xavier Savage.
Match: Panthers v Raiders
Round 25 -
home Team
Panthers
7th Position
away Team
Raiders
1st Position
Venue: Glen Willow Oval, Mudgee
Team News
Panthers: Having missed two games with a shoulder injury, skipper Isaah Yeo looks set to return after being named in the extended squad. Yeo's return would be a huge boost for the premiers as they look to jump back into the top four. Paul Alamoti is again the 18th man.
Raiders: No need to mess with a winning formula in the national capital as Ricky Stuart goes with the same 17 that downed Manly before the bye. Five-eighth Ethan Strange will look to continue his hot streak that has netted him eight tries in his last nine games.
Match: Panthers v Raiders
Round 25 -
home Team
Panthers
away Team
Raiders
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan EdwardsFullback for Raiders is number 1 Kaeo Weekes
-
Winger for Panthers is number 2 Thomas JenkinsWinger for Raiders is number 2 Jed Stuart
-
Centre for Panthers is number 3 Izack TagoCentre for Raiders is number 3 Matthew Timoko
-
Centre for Panthers is number 4 Casey McLeanCentre for Raiders is number 4 Sebastian Kris
-
Winger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'oWinger for Raiders is number 5 Xavier Savage
-
Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Blaize TalagiFive-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Ethan Strange
-
Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Nathan ClearyHalfback for Raiders is number 7 Jamal Fogarty
Forwards
-
Prop for Panthers is number 8 Moses LeotaProp for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papalii
-
Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Mitch KennyHooker for Raiders is number 9 Tom Starling
-
Prop for Panthers is number 10 Lindsay SmithProp for Raiders is number 10 Joseph Tapine
-
2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Luke Garner2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young
-
2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Liam Martin2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Zac Hosking
-
Lock for Panthers is number 13 Isaiah Papali'iLock for Raiders is number 13 Corey Horsburgh
Interchange
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 14 Brad SchneiderInterchange for Raiders is number 14 Owen Pattie
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Liam HenryInterchange for Raiders is number 15 Simi Sasagi
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 17 Scott SorensenInterchange for Raiders is number 16 Morgan Smithies
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 19 Isaah YeoInterchange for Raiders is number 17 Ata Mariota
Reserves
-
Replacement for Panthers is number 18 Paul AlamotiReplacement for Raiders is number 18 Noah Martin
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Senior Review Official: Liam Kennedy
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Panthers have won five of their past six games against the Raiders.
- The Raiders have played in Mudgee twice for two losses.
- Panthers centre Casey McLean has scored six tries in his last five games.
- Raiders five-eighth Ethan Strange has scored eight tries in his last nine games.
- The Panthers have won two of their last three games against top-four opposition.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the
