Panthers v Cowboys: Kenny, Cole return; Origin guns rested
Two sides with the greatest Origin representation, the Panthers and Cowboys will be sweating on the availability of 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 be hoping to welcome back Isaah Yeo, Liam Martin, Brian To'o and Dylan Edwards who are all set to line up for the Blues 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 lies of Brad Schneider, Daine Laurie and Liam Henry stepping up in recent weeks.
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.
Sportsbet Betting Preview - Panthers v Cowboys
Team News
Panthers: Hooker Mitch Kenny and five-eighth Jack Cole both return after missing Penrith’s last game in Round 15 with quad injuries. That means Luke Sommerton and Brad Schneider drop back to the reserves, while Matt Eisenhuth replaces Trent Toelau on the bench. All of Ivan Cleary’s Origin reps have been named to back up for now.
Cowboys: Jeremiah Nanai (calf) will be rested from Origin II while Jordan McLean (calf) will return in the middle. All of the Cowboys Origin stars will also be rested from the game having initially been named among the reserves. 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.
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan EdwardsFullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott Drinkwater
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Winger for Panthers is number 2 Sunia TuruvaWinger for Cowboys is number 2 Kyle Feldt
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Centre for Panthers is number 3 Izack TagoCentre for Cowboys is number 3 Jaxon Purdue
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Centre for Panthers is number 4 Paul AlamotiCentre for Cowboys is number 4 Viliami Vailea
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Winger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'oWinger for Cowboys is number 5 Braidon Burns
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Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Jack ColeFive-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Jake Clifford
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Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Jarome LuaiHalfback for Cowboys is number 7 Chad Townsend
Forwards
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Prop for Panthers is number 8 Moses LeotaProp for Cowboys is number 8 Jordan McLean
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Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Mitch KennyHooker for Cowboys is number 9 Harrison Edwards
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Prop for Panthers is number 10 James Fisher-HarrisProp for Cowboys is number 10 Jason Taumalolo
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2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Scott Sorensen2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Heilum Luki
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2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Liam Martin2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
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Lock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah YeoLock for Cowboys is number 13 Sam McIntyre
Interchange
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Interchange for Panthers is number 14 Daine LaurieInterchange for Cowboys is number 14 Tom Chester
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Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Lindsay SmithInterchange for Cowboys is number 15 Jake Granville
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Interchange for Panthers is number 16 Liam HenryInterchange for Cowboys is number 16 Thomas Mikaele
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Interchange for Panthers is number 17 Matthew EisenhuthInterchange for Cowboys is number 17 Griffin Neame
Reserves
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Replacement for Panthers is number 18 Brad SchneiderReplacement for Cowboys is number 18 Thomas Duffy
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Reserve for Panthers is number 19 Mavrik GeyerReserve for Cowboys is number 19 Jamal Shibasaki
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Reserve for Panthers is number 20 Luron PateaReserve for Cowboys is number 20 Valentine Holmes
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Reserve for Panthers is number 21 Casey McLeanReserve for Cowboys is number 21 Murray Taulagi
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Reserve for Panthers is number 22 Luke SommertonReserve for Cowboys is number 22 Tom Dearden
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Reserve for Panthers is number 23 Trent ToelauReserve for Cowboys is number 23 Reece Robson
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Reserve for Panthers is number 24 Tyrone PeacheyReserve for Cowboys is number 24 Reuben Cotter
Panthers Ins
- Casey McLean
- Jack Cole
- Luron Patea
- Matthew Eisenhuth
- Mitch Kenny
- Tyrone Peachey
Cowboys Ins
- Braidon Burns
- Jake Granville
- Jake Clifford
- Jamal Shibasaki
- Jaxon Purdue
- Jordan McLean
- Thomas Duffy
Panthers Outs
Cowboys Ins
- Jeremiah Nanai
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
2nd Position
away Team
Cowboys
8th Position
Venue: BlueBet Stadium, Penrith
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
