Both sides are coming off losses in Round 4 but the Panthers will be feeling considerably more positive about themselves than a Canberra outfit that was well below its best in Newcastle.
The premiers opened the round with an epic 17-16 loss to the Eels in a match that went down to the wire and beyond while the Raiders had a Sunday afternoon to forget as they gave up a 14-8 half-time lead to go down 24-14 to the Knights.
Compounding matters for the Raiders was the sin binning of five-eighth for high contact on Jackson Hastings, with the star No.6 charged on Monday and facing a two-game ban.
The Knights had too much flair in attack and made easy metres in the second half, an issue Raiders coach Ricky Stuart will need to address this week as they look to contain the potent Panthers backline.
The Panthers' back three of Dylan Edwards (313m), Sunia Turuva (319m) and Brian To'o (240m) ran for an astonishing 872 metres between them against Parramatta and will make Canberra pay if they are given any latitude on kick returns.
In Round 21 last year the two sides clashed in Canberra and it was Isaah Yeo and Moses Leota laying the platform for a comfortable Panthers victory, their 18th of the season from 20 games as they powered towards another minor premiership.
They may not have looked quite as formidable in 2023 without Api Koroisau and Viliame Kikau, but it looks to be only a matter of time before the champs click into gear and the Raiders will need to be at their absolute best to keep them at bay.
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Team News
Raiders: No late changes for Ricky Stuart's men. Winger Jordan Rapana makes a welcome return from suspension with James Schiller dropping out. Halfback Jamal Fogarty returns after missing the Knights game due to illness so Matt Frawley switches to five-eighth to cover for the suspended Jack Wighton, who will miss two games.
Panthers: The Panthers will take the field as named mid-week. Luke Garner is being rested as he battles some niggles so Scott Sorensen comes into the starting side and Lindsay Smith joins the bench. World Cup star Liam Martin remains sidelined with a hamstring injury and hooker Soni Luke is also out after suffering a head knock in Round 4. Tyrone Peachey is the new man on the bench to cover for Luke.
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Stat Attack
- The Raiders have won six of their past seven games at GIO Stadium.
- The Panthers have won eight of their past 10 games against the Raiders.
- Raiders second-rower Hudson Young has scored eight tries in his past 10 NRL games.
- Panthers co-captain Isaah Yeo will make his 200th NRL appearance.
- Raiders prop Joseph Tapine will play his 150th game for the club.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.