Panthers v Titans: Sorensen back on deck; Surgery for Fifita
The Titans finish their season with one of the toughest away trips in the competition but will be to claim an upset against the Panthers to end a tough year on a high.
The Gold Coast side showed patches of the good things they can do against the Knights last round, but the game also highlighted their defensive frailties as well, letting in three tries in 10 minutes to put themselves well and truly on the back foot.
Penrith recorded a comfortable win on the scoreboard against the Rabbitohs in their last match, but they will be wanting to clean up areas of their game before they play finals after they lost back-to-back games before beating the Bunnies.
SportsBet Betting Preview - Panthers v Titans
Injuries have hit the Titans particularly hard this season, but they will be hoping to at least have outside backs Keano Kini (cork) and Phillip Sami (niggles) back on deck for this game.
Nathan Cleary is not due back until the finals, but the Panthers could have Scott Sorensen (hamstring) and Jesse McLean (collarbone) return this week.
Match: Panthers v Titans
Round 27 -
home Team
Panthers
2nd Position
away Team
Titans
14th Position
Venue: Penrith Park, Penrith
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Panthers: The return of Scott Sorensen from a hamstring injury sees Luke Garner move back to the bench and Matt Eisenhuth slide to 18th man.
Titans: Livewire Keano Kini returns at fullback after overcoming a cork but David Fifita won't play as he heads for surgery on an ankle. Klese Haas comes into the starting side. On the bench, young back-rower Arama Hau makes his NRL debut and Jacob Alick returns for his first game since Round 18.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan EdwardsFullback for Titans is number 1 Keano Kini
-
Winger for Panthers is number 2 Sunia TuruvaWinger for Titans is number 2 Alofiana Khan-Pereira
-
Centre for Panthers is number 3 Izack TagoCentre for Titans is number 3 Brian Kelly
-
Centre for Panthers is number 4 Paul AlamotiCentre for Titans is number 4 Beau Fermor
-
Winger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'oWinger for Titans is number 5 Jojo Fifita
-
Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Brad SchneiderFive-Eighth for Titans is number 6 Jayden Campbell
-
Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Jarome LuaiHalfback for Titans is number 7 Kieran Foran
Forwards
-
Prop for Panthers is number 8 Moses LeotaProp for Titans is number 8 Moeaki Fotuaika
-
Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Mitch KennyHooker for Titans is number 9 Sam Verrills
-
Prop for Panthers is number 10 James Fisher-HarrisProp for Titans is number 10 Jaimin Jolliffe
-
2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Scott Sorensen2nd Row for Titans is number 11 Chris Randall
-
2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Liam Martin2nd Row for Titans is number 12 Klese Haas
-
Lock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah YeoLock for Titans is number 13 Isaac Liu
Interchange
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 14 Trent ToelauInterchange for Titans is number 14 Jacob Alick-Wiencke
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Lindsay SmithInterchange for Titans is number 15 Erin Clark
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 16 Liam HenryInterchange for Titans is number 16 Keenan Palasia
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 17 Luke GarnerInterchange for Titans is number 17 Arama Hau
Reserves
-
Replacement for Panthers is number 18 Matthew EisenhuthReplacement for Titans is number 18 Josiah Pahulu
-
Reserve for Panthers is number 19 Mavrik GeyerReserve for Titans is number 19 Tanah Boyd
-
Reserve for Panthers is number 20 Casey McLeanReserve for Titans is number 20 Joe Stimson
-
Reserve for Panthers is number 21 Daine LaurieReserve for Titans is number 21 Tony Francis
-
Reserve for Panthers is number 22 Luke SommertonReserve for Titans is number 22 Jaylan De Groot
Panthers Ins
- Daine Laurie
- Luke Sommerton
- Mavrik Geyer
- Scott Sorensen
Titans Ins
- Arama Hau
- Jacob Alick-Wiencke
- Joe Stimson
- Keano Kini
- Tony Francis
Panthers Outs
Titans Ins
- David Fifita
Match Officials
- Referee: Chris Butler
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Senior Review Official: Matt Noyen
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Panthers have won nine of their past 10 games against the Titans.
- The Titans have not won at BlueBet Stadium since 2016.
- Panthers winger Sunia Turuva has scored eight tries in nine games at BlueBet Stadium this season.
- Titans winger Jojo Fifita has scored seven tries in his past four games.
- Panthers prop James Fisher-Harris will make his 200th NRL appearance.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
