If the Bulldogs had played a better first half they might've given the Roosters a much greater scare last week.
They should take confidence from their second-half performance and will be looking to cause a boilover on Saturday at Bankwest Stadium.
Winning seven straight games in the NRL is no walk in the park and it's not all that surprising the Panthers couldn't extend the streak to eight against Canberra.
It'll be interesting to see how they react to their first loss in two months against a team they're expected to beat.
Match: Bulldogs v Panthers
Round 20 -
home Team
Bulldogs
15th Position
away Team
Panthers
9th Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
The Rundown
Team news
Bulldogs: No changes from last week as coach Dean Pay keeps faith in the 17 who pushed the premiers all the way in a 20-12 loss on Sunday. Brandon Wakeham and Ofahiki Ogden were omitted 24 hours before kick-off, while Raymond Faitala-Mariner and Jayden Okunbor were the last players cut before kick-off.
Panthers: No panic for Ivan Cleary despite the winning run ending at seven on Sunday. The same 17 players will take the field this weekend with the only slight change being Isaah Yeo and Liam Martin switching places in the back row. Jed Cartwright and Hame Sele dropped out of the extended squad on Friday, while Spencer Leniu and Stephen Crichton were omitted an hour before kick-off.
Match: Bulldogs v Panthers
Round 20 -
home Team
Bulldogs
away Team
Panthers
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Dallin Watene-ZelezniakFullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan Edwards
-
Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Nick MeaneyWinger for Panthers is number 2 Josh Mansour
-
Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Kerrod HollandCentre for Panthers is number 3 Dean Whare
-
Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Will HopoateCentre for Panthers is number 4 Brent Naden
-
Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Reimis SmithWinger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'o
-
Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Jack CoggerFive-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 James Maloney
-
Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Lachlan LewisHalfback for Panthers is number 7 Nathan Cleary
Forwards
-
Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Aiden TolmanProp for Panthers is number 8 James Tamou
-
Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Michael LichaaHooker for Panthers is number 9 Mitch Kenny
-
Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Dylan NapaProp for Panthers is number 10 James Fisher-Harris
-
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Josh Jackson2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Liam Martin
-
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Corey Harawira-Naera2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Frank Winterstein
-
Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Adam ElliottLock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah Yeo
Interchange
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Jeremy Marshall-KingInterchange for Panthers is number 14 Wayde Egan
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Renouf AtoniInterchange for Panthers is number 15 Jarome Luai
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Danny FualaloInterchange for Panthers is number 16 Moses Leota
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Chris SmithInterchange for Panthers is number 17 Reagan Campbell-Gillard
Match Officials
- Referee: Ben Cummins
- Referee: Belinda Sharpe
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
Last updated:
Key match-up
After a sub-par start to the year, fullback Dylan Edwards has been sensational recently as the Panthers have found their groove. He is up against former team-mate Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, who has a point to prove at the back given he wasn't seen as a genuine custodian by the Panthers.
For the Bulldogs to win
Dean Pay has to focus on what his side did right in the second half against the Roosters and pick up where they left off in terms of defending strongly and looking for areas to exploit in attack. If they can get away to a good start it could stir the Panthers into panic mode.
For the Panthers to win
They had grand plans to send the Raiders packing last Sunday and were clearly frustrated that things didn't work out as they'd hoped. But it's their first loss in eight games and Ivan Cleary won't be throwing the baby out with the bathwater. If the forwards leave their mark it should allow Nathan Cleary and James Maloney to create ample scoring chances.
Brett Kimmorley says
The Dogs make everyone fight to beat them. The unfortunate thing for Canterbury is that if Penrith get to 20 points you can’t see Canterbury winning. It is going to be a grind for Penrith but the Bulldogs’ struggles in attack put this in the Panthers’ favour. Panthers by 8
Stat Attack
James Maloney is a born winner, but there's one glaring blight on the Penrith playmaker's record. He has the unwanted honour of sitting atop the most penalties conceded category in 2019, earning the referees' ire an average of 1.3 times per match.
And another thing ...
A couple of ex-Panthers will be relishing their first clash with their former team-mates on Saturday night. Back-rower Corey Harawira-Naera left the Panthers to join the Doggies in the off-season, while fullback Dallin Watene-Zelezniak signed with the Dogs in June after being granted a mid-season release from Penrith.
