Panthers v Roosters: Edwards in the frame; Teddy's ready
With a month to go in the regular season we have an absolute blockbuster to launch Round 24 with the top two teams facing off at CommBank Stadium.
The Panthers have lost four of their past seven matches to throw the minor premiership race wide open and now face four weeks without skipper Isaah Yeo due to a pectoral injury.
In stark contrast the Roosters are riding a seven-game winning streak and welcome back their own skipper James Tedesco after he sat out the Bulldogs game with an ankle injury.
The Roosters' last minor premiership came in 2018 when they went on to claim the title with a win over the Storm in the decider.
A victory this week against the Panthers would have Trent Robinson's men in prime position to take the JJ Giltinan Shield with matches against Wests Tigers, Dolphins and Rabbitohs to come, all at Allianz Stadium.
Match: Panthers v Roosters
Round 24 -
home Team
Panthers
1st Position
away Team
Roosters
2nd Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Panthers: Gun fullback Dylan Edwards is listed among the reserves as he looks to return from a shoulder injury. Edwards' last match was Round 20 against the Broncos. Lindsay Smith shifts from prop to lock to take over from skipper Isaah Yeo (pectoral) while Liam Henry starts in the front row. Jack Cogger will wear the No.6 jersey after missing last week's trip to Auckland to remain in Sydney for the birth of his child. Jack Cole goes back to the bench as a result.
Roosters: Skipper James Tedesco is back in the No.1 jersey after sitting out the Bulldogs game with an ankle injury. Cody Ramsey gets a spot in the six-man interchange after filling in at fullback last week. Spencer Leniu has again been named to start in the front row but could make a late switch back to the bench as he did last week when Nat Butcher started.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Jaxen EdgarFullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco
-
Winger for Panthers is number 2 Thomas JenkinsWinger for Roosters is number 2 Billy Smith
-
Centre for Panthers is number 3 Paul AlamotiCentre for Roosters is number 3 Hugo Savala
-
Centre for Panthers is number 4 Izack TagoCentre for Roosters is number 4 Robert Toia
-
Winger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'oWinger for Roosters is number 5 Mark Nawaqanitawase
-
Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Jack CoggerFive-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Daly Cherry-Evans
-
Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Nathan ClearyHalfback for Roosters is number 7 Sam Walker
Forwards
-
Prop for Panthers is number 8 Moses LeotaProp for Roosters is number 8 Naufahu Whyte
-
Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Freddy LussickHooker for Roosters is number 9 Reece Robson
-
Prop for Panthers is number 10 Liam HenryProp for Roosters is number 10 Spencer Leniu
-
2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Isaiah Papali'i2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Salesi Foketi
-
2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Liam Martin2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Siua Wong
-
Lock for Panthers is number 13 Lindsay SmithLock for Roosters is number 13 Victor Radley
Interchange
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 14 Billy ScottInterchange for Roosters is number 14 Connor Watson
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Scott SorensenInterchange for Roosters is number 15 Lindsay Collins
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 16 Luron PateaInterchange for Roosters is number 16 Nat Butcher
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 17 Billy PhillipsInterchange for Roosters is number 17 Egan Butcher
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 18 Jack ColeInterchange for Roosters is number 18 Cody Ramsey
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 19 Blaize TalagiInterchange for Roosters is number 19 Tommy Talau
Reserves
-
Reserve for Panthers is number 20 Dylan EdwardsReserve for Roosters is number 20 Rex Bassingthwaighte
-
Reserve for Panthers is number 21 Jesse McLeanReserve for Roosters is number 21 Benaiah Ioelu
-
Reserve for Panthers is number 22 Kalani Leuluai-GoingReserve for Roosters is number 22 Taylor Losalu
Panthers Ins
- Dylan Edwards
- Jack Cogger
- Jesse McLean
- Kalani Leuluai-Going
Roosters Ins
- Benaiah Ioelu
- James Tedesco
- Taylor Losalu
Panthers Outs
- Isaah Yeo
Roosters Ins
Match Officials
- Referee: Adam Gee
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Panthers have won 12 of their last 13 games against the Roosters.
- The Roosters are chasing eight straight wins for the first time since 2022.
- The Panthers have scored 142 points in their last four games against the Roosters.
- Roosters halfback Sam Walker has yet to achieve a win over Nathan Cleary at NRL level.
- Panthers winger Brian To’o requires one try for 100 NRL tries.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
Don't miss a top-of-the-table blockbuster at CommBank Stadium. Kids tickets are available from just $15, with $67 family tickets with the code PANTHERS67. Tickets are selling fast, click here to secure your seats before they sell out.
