The Panthers snapped back into the winners’ circle last round after two straight losses with a convincing 28-point win over the Roosters.
But it’s how their Origin platoon return from NSW-Queensland duties that will have a say in their fortunes against the Eels. Coach Ivan Cleary rested his halves, lock Isaah Yeo, and utility Kurt Capewell against the Sharks and lost a close one 19-18.
The Sharks were not in the top eight back then but the Eels are – sitting in third spot, or one win and one position below the Panthers.
Firmly in the Panthers' favour is the fact Friday night’s game is at BlueBet Stadium, where they have not lost so far this season – an impressive 8-0 home record and counting.
This is the first meeting in 2021 for these two western Sydney powerhouses.
The Eels also arrive in round 16 with a certain amount of confidence – they are chasing four wins in a row after scoring 116 points in their past three and conceding just 26. Then again the competition were bottom-eight dwellers Knights, Wests Tigers and Bulldogs.
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The rundown
Team news
Panthers: Penrith will start 1-17 with Izack Tago the 18th man.
Nathan Cleary will miss the next month due to the shoulder injury he suffered in Origin II. Blues teammate Jarome Luai has been named at halfback with Matt Burton moving from centre to five-eighth and Tyrone May coming into the centres.
Fullback Dylan Edwards (foot) is out so Charlie Staines goes to fullback and Brent Naden comes onto the wing for his first game of 2021 with Paul Momirovski (hip) and Robert Jennings (hamstring) also unavailable.
Viliame Kikau returns from a hamstring strain in the back row so Liam Martin goes to the interchange and Spencer Leniu to the reserves.
Brian To'o, Isaah Yeo and Kurt Capewell have all been named to back up from Origin II along with Luai.
Jaeman Salmon and Taylan May were omitted from the extended bench 24 hours before kick-off.
The Panthers have won 16 consecutive games at BlueBet Stadium.
Eels: In a change announced an hour before kick-off, Junior Paulo moves back to the bench with Marata Niukore named to start at prop. Will Smith is the 18th man.
Maika Sivo's return from suspension means two-try debutant Sean Russell makes way.
The other changes are on the bench where Nathaniel Roache (knee) and Keegan Hipgrave make way for Oregon Kaufusi and Bryce Cartwright.
Sean Russell and Jake Arthur dropped off the extended bench on Thusday night.
Reed Mahoney (shoulder) is unlikely to be back before round 18.
Eels prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard will play his 150th NRL game.
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Key match-up
Junior Paulo v James Fisher-Harris: If the Eels big man is able to back up from Origin, his tussle in the middle with Fisher-Harris will be a beauty. But, if not, former Panther Reagan Campbell-Gillard trying to contain former pack partners like Fisher-Harris, Moses Leota, Isaah Yeo and Liam Martin will mean a hectic evening for him.
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Stat attack
Between them, Panthers duo Brian To'o (3166m) and James Fisher-Harris (2643m) have carried the ball for just over 5.8km. Stephen Crichton is also in the top 10 in the NRL in this category.
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