Panthers v Eels: Cleary back at the helm; Same 17 for Arthur
Parramatta's win over the Storm has set up a tantalising showdown against defending premiers Penrith on Friday night to open the Telstra Premiership Finals series.
The Panthers were beaten just four times all season on their way to claiming the minor premiership, and the Eels own two of those victories over Ivan Cleary's men - winning 22-20 in Round 9 and 34-10 in Round 20.
With a preliminary final berth on offer, the two western Sydney rivals will rip in from the opening whistle and the forward battle is sure to rock the foundations of BlueBet Stadium.
The Eels would love nothing better than to avenge their loss to the Panthers in last year's semi-finals, when the intervention of a trainer at a critical moment late in the game robbed the blue and golds of momentum and left a bitter taste as they succumbed 8-6 in a bruising encounter.
The Panthers went on to beat the Storm in an epic preliminary final and the Rabbitohs in a tense decider to claim the club's third premiership and they have given themselves a great shot at becoming the first back-to-back premiers since the Roosters in 2018-19.
Sportsbet Betting preview: Panthers v Eels
The Rundown
Team news
Panthers: Mitch Kenny will start the game at hooker and Api Koroisau goes to the bench in a switch an hour before kick-off. Koroisau (ankle) and bench forward Spencer Leniu (shoulder) return after missing Round 25, while superstar halfback Nathan Cleary will be champing at the bit after four weeks on the sideline due to suspension. He'll join forces with Jarome Luai, who was given a rest last weekend along with 11 other members of the regular starting side.
Eels: Marata Niukore starts and Ryan Matterson goes to the bench in a game day switch Brad Arthur has employed for the past three weeks. The 17-man squad is the same one that got the job done against Melbourne to snatch fourth spot on the back of five wins in their last six matches. Nathan Brown is 18th Man after he returned from a finger injury in NSW Cup last week.
Match: Panthers v Eels
Finals Week 1 -
home Team
Panthers
away Team
Eels
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan EdwardsFullback for Eels is number 1 Clinton Gutherson
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Winger for Panthers is number 2 Taylan MayWinger for Eels is number 2 Maika Sivo
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Centre for Panthers is number 3 Izack TagoCentre for Eels is number 3 Will Penisini
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Centre for Panthers is number 4 Stephen CrichtonCentre for Eels is number 4 Tom Opacic
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Winger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'oWinger for Eels is number 5 Waqa Blake
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Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Jarome LuaiFive-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Dylan Brown
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Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Nathan ClearyHalfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell Moses
Forwards
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Prop for Panthers is number 8 Moses LeotaProp for Eels is number 8 Reagan Campbell-Gillard
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Hooker for Panthers is number 14 Mitch KennyHooker for Eels is number 9 Reed Mahoney
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Prop for Panthers is number 10 James Fisher-HarrisProp for Eels is number 10 Junior Paulo
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2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Viliame Kikau2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Shaun Lane
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2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Liam Martin2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Isaiah Papali'i
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Lock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah YeoLock for Eels is number 17 Marata Niukore
Interchange
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Interchange for Panthers is number 9 Apisai KoroisauInterchange for Eels is number 13 Ryan Matterson
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Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Scott SorensenInterchange for Eels is number 14 Makahesi Makatoa
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Interchange for Panthers is number 16 Spencer LeniuInterchange for Eels is number 15 Jake Arthur
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Interchange for Panthers is number 17 Jaeman SalmonInterchange for Eels is number 16 Oregon Kaufusi
Reserves
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Replacement for Panthers is number 18 Charlie StainesReplacement for Eels is number 18 Nathan Brown
Match Officials
- Referee: Gerard Sutton
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Senior Review Official: Adam Gee
Last updated:
Key match-up
Nathan Cleary v Mitch Moses: He may have been restricted to 14 games by injury, suspension and Origin duty but last year's Clive Churchill Medal winner still came up with 14 try assists, 12 line break assists and 15 forced dropouts to lead Penrith to victory in 12 of those 14 matches. Moses had his own injury issues late in the season but he heads into the finals at the peak of his game and ready to lead Parramatta to the promised land after a 36-year drought. The Eels No.7 leads the NRL in try assists with 22 and his partnership with Dylan Brown is running hot. Their showdown with Cleary and Luai will be an absolute beauty.
Stat Attack
Kickers from both sides will need to be on high alert as charge down pressure is cranked up from some of the best in the business - Eels hooker Reed Mahoney and Panthers back-rower Viliame Kikau have a competition high three charge downs for the season while Isaiah Papali'i has come up with two for Parra.
Match: Panthers v Eels
Finals Week 1 -
home Team
Panthers
1st Position
away Team
Eels
4th Position
Venue: Penrith Park, Penrith
