Wests Tigers v Panthers: Geyer stands tall; Origin stars return
Star halves Jarome Luai and Nathan Cleary are set to go face-to-face when the Wests Tigers take on Penrith in a Sunday afternoon showdown.
The childhood friends combined to lead the Panthers to four-straight premierships before Luai left to join the Tigers and the five-eighth has played a key role in his new club's rise up the ladder.
Benji Marshall's men got back on track with a tense win over the Bulldogs last Saturday and they have the chance to make a major statement against the competition leaders on Sunday.
Hooker Api Koroisau was instrumental in his return from a suspension and has one last chance to play his way into the NSW Blues squad.
Penrith secured a tight win over the Warriors and they are looking to keep the momentum rolling at CommBank Stadium.
Origin stars Isaah Yeo, Brian To'o and Cleary will return after being rested last week, adding to the challenge for the Tigers.
Young gun Casey McLean backed up following an impressive NSW debut and continues to show why he's considered one of the brightest talents in the game.
Match: Wests Tigers v Panthers
Round 14 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
10th Position
away Team
Panthers
1st Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Team News
Wests Tigers: No further changes in Sunday's final team update, with Heath Mason dropping out of the extended squad. Coach Benji Marshall confirmed on Friday morning that young gun Heamasi Makasini is on track to take his place in the side despite suffering a shoulder injury last weekend. "He had an AC injury that we thought was worse than what it is, he'll be right to play this week," Marshall said. The loss of Sione Fainu (concussion) will see Mavrik Geyer come in for his second game of the season, while lock Charlie Murray is set for his first outing of the year. Young guns Ethan Roberts and Javon Andrews dropped out when the squad was trimmed to 20 on Saturday.
Panthers: One minor change in Sunday's final update, Billy Scott coming into the six-man bench at the expense of Billy Phillips. Origin trio Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo and Brian To'o are all set to return after being rested last weekend. Jack Cogger, Liam Henry and Izack Tago will shift to the bench while Paul Alamoti moves to centre to accommodate the return of To'o. Utility Jack Cole and Luron Patea dropped out in the 24-hour team update.
Match: Wests Tigers v Panthers
Round 14 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
away Team
Panthers
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Jahream BulaFullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan Edwards
-
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Jeral SkeltonWinger for Panthers is number 2 Thomas Jenkins
-
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Sunia TuruvaCentre for Panthers is number 3 Paul Alamoti
-
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Heamasi MakasiniCentre for Panthers is number 4 Casey McLean
-
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Faaletino TavanaWinger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'o
-
Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Jarome LuaiFive-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Blaize Talagi
-
Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Jock MaddenHalfback for Panthers is number 7 Nathan Cleary
Forwards
-
Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Terrell MayProp for Panthers is number 8 Moses Leota
-
Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Apisai KoroisauHooker for Panthers is number 9 Freddy Lussick
-
Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 Fonua PoleProp for Panthers is number 10 Lindsay Smith
-
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Mavrik Geyer2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Isaiah Papali'i
-
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Kai Pearce-Paul2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Liam Martin
-
Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Charlie MurrayLock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah Yeo
Interchange
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Latu FainuInterchange for Panthers is number 14 Jack Cogger
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Alex SeyfarthInterchange for Panthers is number 15 Scott Sorensen
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Royce HuntInterchange for Panthers is number 16 Liam Henry
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 20 Tristan HopeInterchange for Panthers is number 17 Izack Tago
Reserves
-
Reserve for Wests Tigers is number 18 Bunty AfoaReserve for Panthers is number 18 Luke Garner
-
Reserve for Wests Tigers is number 19 Starford To'aReserve for Panthers is number 21 Billy Scott
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- Wests Tigers have won their last three games at CommBank Stadium.
- The Panthers have won five of their last six games against Wests Tigers.
- Wests Tigers have won six from eight when Api Koroisau has played this season.
- Panthers centre Casey McLean has scored seven tries in his last seven games at CommBank Stadium.
- Wests Tigers winger Jeral Skelton has scored six tries in five games at CommBank Stadium.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
Enjoy $20 General Admission Adult tickets for the upcoming clash between Wests Tigers and Panthers at CommBank Stadium. Soak up the atmosphere from ‘The Hill’ and stand shoulder to shoulder with your fellow fans.
