A clash between two of the competition's heavyweights shapes up to be the match of the round with the Sharks coming off a statement win over the Roosters and the Panthers looking to bounce back from a narrow defeat.
The Sharks are shaping to be the team to beat in 2024, boasting a 9-1 record after downing the Storm and Roosters in recent weeks, well and truly rewriting the narrative that they can't beat the top teams.
Craig Fitzgibbon's men won't have forgotten their last meeting with the premiers when they were shut out 28-0 at BlueBet Stadium and skipper Cameron McInnes was forced to make 81 tackles for his side.
But the Shire boys will be keen for an opportunity to test themselves against the defending premiers and show their defensive resolve has come leaps and bounds this year.
The Panthers, meanwhile, are in unfamiliar territory coming off their first loss since Round 5 and will be looking to rue the errors (11) and discipline (39 missed tackles) which ultimately cost them against the Warriors.
Sportsbet Betting Preview - Sharks v Panthers
Team News
Sharks: The Sharks are 1-17 with no late changes. Stability is the catch cry in the Shire as the Sharks roll out the same 17 that knocked off the Roosters in Round 11. Halfback Nicho Hynes looks to press his Blues Origin claims further with another command performance while Cam Mcinnes, Jesse Ramien and Thomas Hazelton are also in the mix for rep honours. Mawene Hiroti is 18th man.
Panthers: The Panthers are 1-17 with no late changes. Scott orensen is promoted to the starting side after returning from a knee injury via the bench in Magic Round. Liam Henry returns from concussion and joins the bench with Luke Garner the man to miss out. Jesse McLean is 18th man.
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Stat Attack
- The Sharks have won six of their past seven games at PointsBet Stadium.
- The Panthers have won six of their past seven games against the Sharks.
- Sharks prop Tom Hazelton has scored four tries in his past five games.
- The Panthers have not won at PointsBet Stadium since 2012.
- Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo has scored 32 tries in 29 games at PointsBet Stadium.
This article contains content that is only available on NRL.com
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.