Panthers v Knights: Edwards back on deck; Hunt hamstrung
There's nothing like a win to revitalise a football side and the Knights will be drawing from that well a lot this week as they prepare for a showdown with the unbeaten Panthers.
As long as Kalyn Ponga's stomach feels better the Knights have an excellent chance to rattle the Panthers' cage. Ponga - despite a gastro illness - ran for 172 metres, scored two tries, set up two other tries, made two line breaks and eight tackle busts in last week's win over Cronulla. Imagine what he can do fully fit.
While the Knights are glad they've got Ponga, the Panthers are very grateful for Nathan Cleary, whose eight-point haul in the final three minutes (a two-point field goal, try, conversion) against the Broncos saved the day last round.
The Panthers are also at home at BlueBet Stadium and haven't lost there yet in 2021.
Panthers v Knights
Match: Panthers v Knights
Round 7 -
home Team
Panthers
1st Position
away Team
Knights
10th Position
Venue: BlueBet Stadium, Penrith
The rundown
Team news
Panthers: Fullback Dylan Edwards makes his return from a broken hand allowing Stephen Crichton to go back to his preferred centre position to replace the suspended Paul Momirovski.
Kurt Capewell was named in the centres earlier in the week but he now reverts to the back row and Liam Martin goes back to the bench.
Hooker Api Koroisau (wrist) dropped out of the squad an hour before kick-off and Robert Jennings is the 18th man.
Momirovski and Scott Sorensen were the two players to drop out of the squad on Wednesday.
The Panthers have conceded only two second-half tries this season.
Knights: The Knights will line up 1-17 with Pasami Saulo the last man omitted an hour before kick-off and Gehemat Shibasaki 18th man.
Hymel Hunt suffered a hamstring injury against the Sharks and is out of the side, replaced on the wing by Starford To'a.
Playmaker Phoenix Crossland (knee) was included on the extended bench but dropped out of the side 24 hours before kick-off along with Simi Sasagi.
Tex Hoy (hamstring) remains sidelined.
The Knights were one of only three teams who did not lose to the Panthers in 2020 (drew 14-all in round three).
Match: Panthers v Knights
Round 7 -
home Team
Panthers
away Team
Knights
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Panthers is number 21 Dylan EdwardsFullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn Ponga
-
Winger for Panthers is number 2 Charlie StainesWinger for Knights is number 2 Starford To'a
-
Centre for Panthers is number 1 Stephen CrichtonCentre for Knights is number 3 Enari Tuala
-
Centre for Panthers is number 4 Matt BurtonCentre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best
-
Winger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'oWinger for Knights is number 5 Brayden Musgrove
-
Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Jarome LuaiFive-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Kurt Mann
-
Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Nathan ClearyHalfback for Knights is number 7 Blake Green
Forwards
-
Prop for Panthers is number 8 Moses LeotaProp for Knights is number 8 David Klemmer
-
Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Mitch KennyHooker for Knights is number 9 Jayden Brailey
-
Prop for Panthers is number 10 James Fisher-HarrisProp for Knights is number 10 Daniel Saifiti
-
2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Viliame Kikau2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Tyson Frizell
-
2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Kurt Capewell2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Mitchell Barnett
-
Lock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah YeoLock for Knights is number 13 Connor Watson
Interchange
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 14 Tyrone MayInterchange for Knights is number 14 Sauaso Sue
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Spencer LeniuInterchange for Knights is number 15 Jacob Saifiti
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 16 Matthew EisenhuthInterchange for Knights is number 16 Josh King
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 17 Liam MartinInterchange for Knights is number 17 Brodie Jones
Reserves
-
Reserve for Panthers is number 18 Robert JenningsReserve for Knights is number 20 Gehamat Shibasaki
Match Officials
- Referee: Gerard Sutton
- Touch Judge: Kasey Badger
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Senior Review Official: Henry Perenara
Last updated:
Key match-up
Isaah Yeo v Connor Watson: Different body shapes entirely but locks Yeo and Watson are vital cogs in their respective forward packs. Yeo made 49 tackles last weekend while Watson racked up 50 over the Sharks - and both men ran for around 100 metres. That kind of hard, grinding work lifts the whole team. They've each got a nice off-load, darting run, and ball-playing skill in them to turn a game.
Stat attack
The Knights are second in the NRL (behind the Roosters) in support play with the Panthers a little further down the list than you might expect in seventh place.
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