The reigning premier Panthers and winless Wests Tigers are a total mis-match on paper but both head to Bathurst in Round 9 reeling from heart-breaking losses last week.
Having taken an in-form Sea Eagles side to the wire last week, the Tigers should be walking that little bit taller despite their 0-8 start, but meeting Ivan Cleary's Panthers off the back of a last-gasp loss to the Rabbitohs is a tough ask for Tim Sheens' men.
All eyes will be on hooker Api Koroisau as he takes on his former club in Bathurst with the skipper no doubt doing everything he can to salvage his side from suffering a Round 9 demolition at the hands of the Panthers.
Meanwhile, after being run down by the Bunnies in disappointing fashion last week, coach Cleary will no doubt have his Panthers firing as they look to get their season back on track at Carrington Park.
After a golden point victory to the Knights and a disappointing defeat to South Sydney, the Panthers will be taking the opportunity to fix any cracks that have appeared in recent performances and consolidate their spot in the top eight as one of six teams heading into the round level on 10 competition points.
Both sides have produced some spicy matches on and off-field in recent years with the likes of Koroisau, Naden, Brent Naden, Charlie Staines, Daine Laurie, Matt Eisenhuth, Soni Luke, Luke Garner and Cleary himself all connected to their opposite club in one way or another.
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Team News
Panthers: Spencer Leniu is out with a calf injury and replaced on the bench by Liam Henry, in what is the only change for the premiers. Nathan Cleary is good to go at halfback, despite reports during the week that he could miss the match, while winger Sunia Turuva will play after nursing an ankle issue.
Wests Tigers: No late changes for coach Tim Sheens, with Brent Naden returning from his collarbone injury in the centres. Asu Kepaoa is out with tonsillitis, while David Nofoaluma replaces Charlie Staines, who is sidelined for 8-12 weeks after suffering a bowel perforation.
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Stat Attack
- The Panthers have won nine of their past 11 games against the Tigers.
- Hooker Api Koroisau and winger Charlie Staines are the only Tigers who have played in Bathurst.
- The Panthers have won five of their past seven games in Bathurst.
- The Tigers have conceded 24 points or more in their past five games.
- The Panthers have the best defensive record in the NRL after eight rounds.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.