Panthers v Sharks: Leota ruled out; Talakai set to return
After winning last weekend minus their Origin stars, the Panthers return home to BlueBet Stadium with their big guns back onboard as they hunt a ninth-straight win.
With seven rounds of the regular season remaining Penrith find themselves eight points clear at the top of the ladder, while the Sharks have climbed to third after beating the Cowboys last up.
Cronulla are riding a five-game winning streak and will be full of confidence, while Penrith should benefit from refreshing a number of their top line stars last weekend ahead.
The last time they met in Round 14 last year it was Cronulla who came away with a late 19-18 victory, but prior to that the Panthers won the past four head-to-head clashes.
Sportsbet Betting preview: Panthers v Sharks
The Rundown
Team news
Panthers: No changes on game day after Moses Leota dropped out of the side on Friday with Matt Eisenhuth moving to the run-on side and Spencer Leniu joining the bench. All seven of the Origin players rested last week are back and named to start, which means there’s no room for Lindsay Smith, Soni Luke, Kurt Falls or Robert Jennings. Sunia Turuva is 18th Man.
Sharks: The Sharks are 1-17 with no late changes. Siosifa Talakai is back in the centres after being a late withdrawal last week due to a shoulder injury picked up in the Origin decider. Connor Tracey shifts to the wing in place of Sione Katoa, who will miss the remainder of the season following shoulder surgery. Briton Nikora's return from suspension sees Teig Wilton revert to the bench. There were no late changes in the 24-hour update with Braydon Trindall set to feature as 18th Man.
Match: Panthers v Sharks
Round 19 -
home Team
Panthers
away Team
Sharks
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan EdwardsFullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
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Winger for Panthers is number 2 Taylan MayWinger for Sharks is number 2 Connor Tracey
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Centre for Panthers is number 3 Izack TagoCentre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien
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Centre for Panthers is number 4 Stephen CrichtonCentre for Sharks is number 4 Siosifa Talakai
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Winger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'oWinger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo
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Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Jarome LuaiFive-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Matt Moylan
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Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Nathan ClearyHalfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes
Forwards
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Prop for Panthers is number 10 James Fisher-HarrisProp for Sharks is number 8 Toby Rudolf
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Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Apisai KoroisauHooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
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Prop for Panthers is number 16 Matthew EisenhuthProp for Sharks is number 10 Royce Hunt
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2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Viliame Kikau2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora
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2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Liam Martin2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Wade Graham
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Lock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah YeoLock for Sharks is number 13 Dale Finucane
Interchange
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Interchange for Panthers is number 14 Mitch KennyInterchange for Sharks is number 14 Teig Wilton
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Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Scott SorensenInterchange for Sharks is number 15 Cameron McInnes
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Interchange for Panthers is number 17 Jaeman SalmonInterchange for Sharks is number 16 Braden Hamlin-Uele
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Interchange for Panthers is number 19 Spencer LeniuInterchange for Sharks is number 17 Andrew Fifita
Reserves
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Replacement for Panthers is number 21 Sunia TuruvaReplacement for Sharks is number 18 Braydon Trindall
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Touch Judge: Wyatt Raymond
- Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins
Last updated:
Key match-up
Nathan Cleary vs Nicho Hynes: The current Blues No.7 against the heir apparent who shadowed him in Origin camp this year. Cleary will no doubt be eyeing a big performance to shake off the disappointment of losing the Origin decider, while Hynes has led the Sharks to victories in his last four games. Cleary has 13 try assists in 12 appearances this year, while his opposite number this week leads the NRL in line break assists with 17.
Stat Attack
So impressive has Penrith's attack been in 2022, last week's 18-16 victory over the Wests Tigers, minus most of their representative stars, was actually their equal-worst performance of the season in terms of points scored. The Panthers average an NRL-leading 29 points per game this year, but come up against a Sharks outfit who haven't leaked more than 16 points since the end of May.
Match: Panthers v Sharks
Round 19 -
home Team
Panthers
1st Position
away Team
Sharks
3rd Position
Venue: Penrith Park, Penrith
