Panthers v Cowboys: Origin stars rested; Kenny, Cole return
Two sides with the greatest Origin representation, the Panthers and Cowboys have both made a big call on their stars as they head into a Sunday showdown at BlueBet Stadium.
With three full days to recover from Game Two, coach Ivan Cleary will welcome back Isaah Yeo but has rested Liam Martin, Brian To'o and Dylan Edwards, who all helped the Blues to victory on Wednesday.
Such is Penrith's depth however that despite missing halfback Nathan Cleary for the past seven weeks, the Premiers still sit comfortably in second on the ladder with the likes of Brad Schneider, Daine Laurie and Liam Henry to again step up.
The Cowboys, meanwhile, should have every confidence in whoever pulls the jersey on for Sunday's clash after his side downed the Roosters with a host of rookies and replacements in Round 13.
North Queensland will also be looking to continue the form they delivered against the Raiders in Round 15 before finally having a chance to rest some weary bodies with their first bye for the season.
Team News
Panthers: Captain Isaah Yeo is the only Origin rep backing up after a raft of changes when the squad was trimmed 24 hours before kick-off. Daine Laurie replaces fullback Dylan Edwards, Casey McLean comes onto the wing for Brian To'o, Brad Scheider starts at halfback in place of Jarome Luai and Liam Henry steps in for second-rower Liam Martin. Mitch Kenny and Jack Cole will both return from quad injuries in a boost for the side. There were no changes to the 17 in Sunday afternoon's update, however Yeo has dropped back to the bench, with Matt Eisenhuth to start at lock.
Cowboys: All of the Cowboys Origin stars will also be rested from the game having initially been named among the reserves, including Jeremiah Nanai (calf). Jordan McLean (calf) will return in the middle. Winger Kyle Feldt needs just one try to become the third player in premiership history to score 10 or more tries in nine consecutive seasons. There were no changes for the Cowboys one hour from kick off.
Match: Panthers v Cowboys
Round 17 -
home Team
Panthers
away Team
Cowboys
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Panthers is number 14 Daine LaurieFullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott Drinkwater
-
Winger for Panthers is number 2 Sunia TuruvaWinger for Cowboys is number 2 Kyle Feldt
-
Centre for Panthers is number 3 Izack TagoCentre for Cowboys is number 3 Jaxon Purdue
-
Centre for Panthers is number 4 Paul AlamotiCentre for Cowboys is number 4 Viliami Vailea
-
Winger for Panthers is number 21 Casey McLeanWinger for Cowboys is number 5 Braidon Burns
-
Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Jack ColeFive-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Jake Clifford
-
Halfback for Panthers is number 18 Brad SchneiderHalfback for Cowboys is number 7 Chad Townsend
Forwards
-
Prop for Panthers is number 8 Moses LeotaProp for Cowboys is number 8 Jordan McLean
-
Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Mitch KennyHooker for Cowboys is number 9 Harrison Edwards
-
Prop for Panthers is number 10 James Fisher-HarrisProp for Cowboys is number 10 Jason Taumalolo
-
2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Scott Sorensen2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Heilum Luki
-
2nd Row for Panthers is number 16 Liam Henry2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
-
Lock for Panthers is number 17 Matthew EisenhuthLock for Cowboys is number 13 Sam McIntyre
Interchange
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 13 Isaah YeoInterchange for Cowboys is number 14 Tom Chester
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Lindsay SmithInterchange for Cowboys is number 15 Jake Granville
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 20 Luron PateaInterchange for Cowboys is number 16 Thomas Mikaele
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 23 Trent ToelauInterchange for Cowboys is number 17 Griffin Neame
Reserves
-
Replacement for Panthers is number 19 Mavrik GeyerReplacement for Cowboys is number 18 Thomas Duffy
Match Officials
- Referee: Liam Kennedy
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Senior Review Official: Kasey Badger
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Panthers have won 14 of their past 16 games at BlueBet Stadium.
- The Cowboys have not won at BlueBet Stadium since 2016.
- Panthers playmaker Jarome Luai has won five from five against the Cowboys.
- Cowboys winger Kyle Feldt requires one try to reach 10 tries for the ninth straight season.
- Panthers winger Brian To’o has scored 23 tries in his past 17 games at BlueBet Stadium.
Match: Panthers v Cowboys
Round 17 -
home Team
Panthers
3rd Position
away Team
Cowboys
5th Position
Venue: BlueBet Stadium, Penrith
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
