The Roosters must deal with yet another key injury with centre Josh Morris unlikely to return before the finals but the Tricolours have shown incredible resilience in 2021.
Injuries have been the story of the Roosters' season and they have done a brilliant job of staying in the top four conversation despite key losses.
Their ability to shrug off the loss of Morris with half an hour to play and grab a share of fourth place with a 28-0 win over the stumbling Parramatta Eels was the perfect example of that resilience.
Penrith, who conceded a share of first place with the 37-10 flogging at Melbourne's hands, have yet to replicate that ability to overcome injury adversity.
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The rundown
Team news
Roosters: Dale Copley drops out of the side with Joseph Manu moving to the wing, Sitili Tupouniua to centre and Nat Butcher to the second row. Siosiua Taukeiaho starts at prop with Jared Waerea-Hargreaves to come off the bench.
Fletcher Baker joins the interchange, Copley is the 18th man and Naufahu Whyte dropped out of the playing squad on game day.
Copley had been initially named to start on the wing following the loss of Josh Morris (hamstring) for at least five weeks.
Ben Marschke and Moala Graham-Taufa were omitted 24 hours before the match.
The Roosters have scored 114 points in their past three games at Suncorp Stadium.
Panthers: Taylan May replaces Brent Naden on the wing, while there's a reshuffle in the pack with Matt Eisenhuth starting at prop, Liam Martin moving to the second row and Scott Sorensen shifting to the bench.
Izack Tago is on the bench with J'maine Hopgood the 18th man. Nathan Cleary's return from a shoulder injury has been delayed another week.
With Stephen Crichton (contrary conduct) accepting a one-week ban, Paul Momirovski comes into the centres where he will partner Kurt Capewell.
New recruit Tevita Pangai jnr will not make his Panthers debut on the interchange after taking leave due to personal reasons with J'maine Hopgood a chance of a recall from the extended bench.
Mitch Kenny drops to the interchange to make way for Api Koroisau while Isaah Yeo returns at lock.
The Panthers have won their past three games against the Roosters.
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Key match-up
James Tedesco v Dylan Edwards: Tedesco continues to show why he is arguably the best player in the game and Edwards keeps on showing why he is an important part of the Panthers team. Tedesco is rarely - if ever - outplayed, but that doesn't mean Edwards can't have a huge say in the outcome.
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Stat attack
Panthers winger Charlie Staines has scored five tries in his past four games at Suncorp Stadium.
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