Dragons v Panthers: RFM a chance; Yeo back on deck

The vastly improved Dragons kept the sternest test of just how far they have come in 2024 when they host defending champs Penrith at WIN Stadium.

Sitting outside the eight on points differential only, the Dragons face the Panthers and then Melbourne in consecutive weeks - two games that hold the key to whether they surge into contention or fall out of the finals race.

Dragons coach Shane Flanagan will be proud of what his team have done so far but he knows if they are to be taken seriously they must aim up against the might of the Panthers, who welcomed their main man Nathan Cleary back on Sunday in a thrilling win over the Dolphins.

Barely skipping a beat after seven games out with a hamstring injury, the ice cool Cleary nailed a long-range field goal in golden point to get his team home 28-26 and with co-captain Isaah Yeo set to return from a rest this weekend the Panthers are looking ominous again.

The Dragons need look no further than Round 13 this year for inspiration, knocking off the Panthers 22-10 at BlueBet Stadium, although the premiers were missing their posse of Origin stars.