Panthers v Sharks: Edwards hits top gear; Kennedy returns home
Two premiership contenders are set for an early showdown when the NRL descends on western NSW this weekend.
The Penrith Panthers will host the Cronulla Sharks at Carrington Park in Bathurst on Saturday night, with both sides riding high after dominant Round 1 victories.
The Panthers avenged last year's preliminary final defeat to the Broncos, while the Sharks dispatched the Titans at Ocean Protect Stadium.
Penrith have invested heavily in their pathways west of the Blue Mountains and Saturday's game provides a chance for residents of the regional town to witness firsthand the club's stars in action.
Bathurst has not always been a happy hunting ground for the Panthers. Ivan Cleary's men hit rock bottom at Carrington Park last season when they suffered an insipid 25-6 loss to Newcastle and slumped to last on the ladder.
The defeat triggered a remarkable turnaround that ended in preliminary final heartbreak at Suncorp Stadium.
Penrith players have vowed to avoid a repeat this weekend but they will have to be on their game to subdue a red-hot Cronulla outfit.
Braydon Trindall, a western NSW product, and Bathurst junior Will Kennedy were outstanding in the Sharks' win over the Titans and will look to recreate the performance against the Panthers.
Trindall's combination with Nicho Hynes continues to develop and prop Addin Fonua-Blake is ready for another one-on-one battle with Penrith big man Moses Leota.
Match: Panthers v Sharks
Round 2 -
home Team
Panthers
3rd Position
away Team
Sharks
2nd Position
Venue: Carrington Park, Bathurst
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Panthers: Star back-rower Liam Martin remains sidelined with a calf injury so Ivan Cleary goes with the same 19-man squad that ambushed the Broncos in Round 1. After being named in No.18 last week and getting a late call-up to the starting side, Thomas Jenkins retains his place and has been named on the wing. Paul Alamoti moves into the centres.
Sharks: Craig Fitzgibbon sticks with the proven formula from last week and goes with the same 19-man squad for the trip to Bathurst. With Teig Wilton (shoulder) still sidelined the back row again features Billy Burns, Briton Nikora and Jesse Colquhoun.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan EdwardsFullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
-
Winger for Panthers is number 2 Thomas JenkinsWinger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa
-
Centre for Panthers is number 3 Paul AlamotiCentre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien
-
Centre for Panthers is number 4 Casey McLeanCentre for Sharks is number 4 KL Iro
-
Winger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'oWinger for Sharks is number 5 Samuel Stonestreet
-
Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Blaize TalagiFive-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon Trindall
-
Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Nathan ClearyHalfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes
Forwards
-
Prop for Panthers is number 8 Moses LeotaProp for Sharks is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
-
Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Mitch KennyHooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
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Prop for Panthers is number 10 Lindsay SmithProp for Sharks is number 10 Thomas Hazelton
-
2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Isaiah Papali'i2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora
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2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Luke Garner2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Billy Burns
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Lock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah YeoLock for Sharks is number 13 Jesse Colquhoun
Interchange
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Interchange for Panthers is number 14 Jack CoggerInterchange for Sharks is number 14 Siosifa Talakai
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Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Billy PhillipsInterchange for Sharks is number 15 Toby Rudolf
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Interchange for Panthers is number 16 Scott SorensenInterchange for Sharks is number 16 Oregon Kaufusi
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Interchange for Panthers is number 17 Kalani GoingInterchange for Sharks is number 17 Braden Uele
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Interchange for Panthers is number 18 Izack TagoInterchange for Sharks is number 18 Hohepa Puru
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Interchange for Panthers is number 19 Freddy LussickInterchange for Sharks is number 19 Chris Vea'ila
Reserves
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Reserve for Panthers is number 20 Tom AleReserve for Sharks is number 20 Jayden Berrell
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Reserve for Panthers is number 21 Jack ColeReserve for Sharks is number 21 Niwhai Puru
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Reserve for Panthers is number 22 Sione FonuaReserve for Sharks is number 22 Michael Gabrael
Panthers Ins
- Jack Cole
- Sione Fonua
- Tom Ale
Sharks Ins
- Jayden Berrell
- Michael Gabrael
- Niwhai Puru
Panthers Outs
Sharks Ins
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Panthers have won nine of their past 10 games against the Sharks.
- No Sharks player has played previously at Carrington Park in Bathurst.
- The Panthers have won only three of their last seven games in Bathurst.
- The Sharks have failed to score three times in their last seven games against the Panthers.
- The Panthers have not won their opening two games since 2022.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
