Panthers v Wests Tigers: Yeo nears return; Fainu back on the bench
Although the two sides sit at opposite ends of the ladder, there are plenty of contests within the contest of Panthers v Wests Tigers.
With a number of Panthers having made their way to Western Sydney rivals West Tigers in recent seasons, there is plenty on the line for players in the derby.
Penrith however will be looking for a win to try and reclaim top spot on the ladder to take out the minor premiership, with it being a neck-and-neck race currently with the Warriors.
Wests Tigers will be hoping they can repeat their heroics of Round 25, where they stunned the Roosters to win 25-24 in a upset of the year contender.
Match: Panthers v Wests Tigers
Round 27 -
home Team
Panthers
2nd Position
away Team
Wests Tigers
14th Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Panthers: Skipper Isaah Yeo is listed among the reserves as he nears a return from a pectoral injury suffered in Round 23 against the Warriors. Hooker Mitch Kenny returns from a leg injury on the eve of finals so Freddy Lussick slides to the bench. The versatile Luke Garner will start at centre in place of Izack Tago (knee). Prop Luron Patea has been added to the interchange and in a special tribute to the late John Farragher OAM, he has been named in jersey No.23. The Panthers wear a Special Event Jersey celebrating his lifelong impact on the Panthers community.
Wests Tigers: Latu Fainu joins the interchange for his first game since Round 20 after recovering from a hamstring injury while prop Vaka Aho will make his NRL debut off the bench. Sione Fainu comes into the team for Tony Sukkar (delayed concussion symptoms) while Sunia Turuva is again listed on the bench after missing the past two games with a knee injury.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan EdwardsFullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Jahream Bula
-
Winger for Panthers is number 2 Thomas JenkinsWinger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Junior Tupou
-
Centre for Panthers is number 3 Luke GarnerCentre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Solomone Saukuru
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Centre for Panthers is number 4 Casey McLeanCentre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Patrick Herbert
-
Winger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'oWinger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Jeral Skelton
-
Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Jack ColeFive-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Jarome Luai
-
Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Nathan ClearyHalfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Jock Madden
Forwards
-
Prop for Panthers is number 8 Moses LeotaProp for Wests Tigers is number 8 Terrell May
-
Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Mitch KennyHooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Apisai Koroisau
-
Prop for Panthers is number 10 Liam HenryProp for Wests Tigers is number 10 Fonua Pole
-
2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Isaiah Papali'i2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Samuela Fainu
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2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Liam Martin2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Sione Fainu
-
Lock for Panthers is number 13 Lindsay SmithLock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Alex Seyfarth
Interchange
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 14 Freddy LussickInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Latu Fainu
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Scott SorensenInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Vaka Aho
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 16 Luron PateaInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Ethan Roberts
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 17 Billy PhillipsInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Bunty Afoa
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Interchange for Panthers is number 18 Blaize TalagiInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 18 Heath Mason
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 19 Billy ScottInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 19 Sunia Turuva
Reserves
-
Reserve for Panthers is number 20 Kalani Leuluai-GoingReserve for Wests Tigers is number 20 Tristan Hope
-
Reserve for Panthers is number 21 Jesse McLeanReserve for Wests Tigers is number 21 Charlie Murray
-
Reserve for Panthers is number 22 Isaah YeoReserve for Wests Tigers is number 22 Faaletino Tavana
-
Reserve for Panthers is number 23 John Farragher
Panthers Ins
- Isaah Yeo
- Jesse McLean
- John Farragher
- Luron Patea
- Mitch Kenny
Wests Tigers Ins
- Charlie Murray
- Latu Fainu
- Sunia Turuva
- Vaka Aho
Panthers Outs
- Izack Tago
Wests Tigers Ins
- Tony Sukkar
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Senior Review Official: Adam Gee
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Panthers have won six of their last seven games against Wests Tigers.
- Wests Tigers five-eighth Jarome Luai has lost all three games against his old club.
- Panthers winger Thomas Jenkins has scored six tries in his last three games against the Tigers.
- Wests Tigers prop Terrell May will make his 100th NRL appearance.
- The Panthers have won 14 of their last 15 games played in September or October.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
