Panthers v Bulldogs: Cleary good to go; Connor comes in
A pair of Bulldogs stars are preparing to return to Penrith for the first time while the Panthers look set to welcome back Nathan Cleary for Friday night's clash.
The halfback sat out last week's win over the South Sydney Rabbitohs for precautionary reasons, having made his return from a hamstring injury five days earlier.
Cleary had earlier missed three games after picking up the injury in round three.
The Panthers did not miss a beat without their halfback, convincingly defeating Souths, and they are eager to continue a three-week winning streak.
The defending premiers will take on a number of familiar faces at BlueBet Stadium on Friday night as a host of ex-Panthers players return to Penrith.
Bulldogs captain Stephen Crichton and edge forward Viliame Kikau will play their first game against their former club in what is sure to be a hotly contested affair. Matt Burton and Jaeman Salmon will also take on their old club.
Canterbury have soared into the top eight with a series of impressive performances under the tutelage of former Penrith assistant coach Cameron Ciraldo.
The Bulldogs claimed back-to-back wins for the first time in more than a year with a come-from-behind victory over the Wests Tigers on Saturday.
Forward Jacob Preston is set to play a bigger role on Friday after spending 80 minutes on the bench last weekend in his first week back from a fractured jaw.
The Bulldogs are also hopeful Connor Tracey will be available after he was a late withdrawal from Saturday's game with a quad injury.
Sportsbet Betting Preview - Panthers v Bulldogs
Team News
Panthers: The premiers will take the field 1-17 with no late changes. Skipper Nathan Cleary returns from a hamstring injury but centre Izack Tago is out with suspension. Paul Alamoti comes into the centre position for his third game of the season. Liam Henry comes back in on the interchange after missing Round 9.
Bulldogs: A late change sees Connor Tracey join the side at fullback after overcoming a quad injury that sidelined him last week. Blake Taaffe reverts to 18th man. Sam Hughes and Josh Curran have also switched on game day with Hughes joining the starting side as they did in Round 9.
Match: Panthers v Bulldogs
Round 10 -
home Team
Panthers
away Team
Bulldogs
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan EdwardsFullback for Bulldogs is number 22 Connor Tracey
-
Winger for Panthers is number 2 Sunia TuruvaWinger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jacob Kiraz
-
Centre for Panthers is number 3 Paul AlamotiCentre for Bulldogs is number 3 Bronson Xerri
-
Centre for Panthers is number 4 Taylan MayCentre for Bulldogs is number 4 Stephen Crichton
-
Winger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'oWinger for Bulldogs is number 5 Josh Addo-Carr
-
Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Jarome LuaiFive-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt Burton
-
Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Nathan ClearyHalfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Drew Hutchison
Forwards
-
Prop for Panthers is number 8 Moses LeotaProp for Bulldogs is number 8 Max King
-
Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Mitch KennyHooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Reed Mahoney
-
Prop for Panthers is number 10 James Fisher-HarrisProp for Bulldogs is number 15 Samuel Hughes
-
2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Luke Garner2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Viliame Kikau
-
2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Liam Martin2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jaeman Salmon
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Lock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah YeoLock for Bulldogs is number 13 Kurt Mann
Interchange
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 14 Jack ColeInterchange for Bulldogs is number 10 Josh Curran
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Lindsay SmithInterchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Bailey Hayward
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 16 Liam HenryInterchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Kurtis Morrin
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 17 Mavrik GeyerInterchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Jacob Preston
Reserves
-
Replacement for Panthers is number 19 Matthew EisenhuthReplacement for Bulldogs is number 1 Blake Taaffe
Match Officials
- Referee: Liam Kennedy
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Touch Judge: Wyatt Raymond
- Senior Review Official: Kasey Badger
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Panthers have won their past six games against the Bulldogs.
- The Bulldogs have four Panthers’ premiership winners in their line-up.
- Panthers winger Sunia Turuva has scored seven tries in his past four games at BlueBet Stadium.
- The Bulldogs have not won at BlueBet Stadium since 2016
- The Panthers have won 12 of their past 13 games at BlueBet Stadium.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
Match: Panthers v Bulldogs
Round 10 -
home Team
Panthers
2nd Position
away Team
Bulldogs
10th Position
Venue: BlueBet Stadium, Penrith
