Panthers v Broncos: Papali'i in for Sorensen; Riki returns
Penrith return to Suncorp Stadium in unfamiliar circumstances and will be desperate to upset the 'away' team Brisbane after falling to their sixth loss of the season after going down to the Sea Eagles.
The defending four-time premiers the Panthers are outright last for the first time since Round 25 in 2007 and face a tough challenge against a Broncos side brimming with confidence after dispensing of the top-of-the-table Bulldogs 42-18 in their last match.
Brisbane turned around a recent poor run of form in emphatic fashion with a clever kicking game Adam Reynolds and yet another show-stopping performance from powerhouse props Payne Haas and Pat Carrigan proving a winning combination.
Match: Panthers v Broncos
Round 9 -
home Team
Panthers
15th Position
away Team
Broncos
5th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Team News
Panthers: Luke Garner will line up at centre in his return from a concussion, however star winger Brian To'o remains at least another week away in his comeback from a hamstring injury. Isaiah Papali'i has come into the starting side to replace Scott Sorensen after the forward's unsuccessful trip to the judiciary on Tuesday night. Luron Patea joins the bench. Luke Sommerton was named at hooker, after Brad Schneider was ruled out with an eye injury but shifts back to the bench in a reshuffle, with Trent Toelau to start at dummy half. Lindsay Smith will also start, with Liam Henry dropping back to the bench.
Broncos: Jordan Riki has been cleared to make his return from a staph infection, and will start on the interchange. Halfback Adam Reynolds is set to take his place in the side after overcoming a shoulder injury and infection in the past week. Riki's move to the bench sees Brendan Piakura again promoted to start in the second-row. Reynolds requires three points to overtake Hazem El Masri and climb to second on the all-time premiership point scorers list. Tyson Smoothy is the 18th man.
Match: Panthers v Broncos
Round 9 -
home Team
Panthers
away Team
Broncos
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan EdwardsFullback for Broncos is number 1 Selwyn Cobbo
-
Winger for Panthers is number 2 Paul AlamotiWinger for Broncos is number 2 Deine Mariner
-
Centre for Panthers is number 3 Izack TagoCentre for Broncos is number 3 Kotoni Staggs
-
Centre for Panthers is number 4 Luke GarnerCentre for Broncos is number 4 Gehamat Shibasaki
-
Winger for Panthers is number 5 Thomas JenkinsWinger for Broncos is number 5 Jesse Arthars
-
Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Blaize TalagiFive-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Ben Hunt
-
Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Nathan ClearyHalfback for Broncos is number 7 Adam Reynolds
Forwards
-
Prop for Panthers is number 8 Moses LeotaProp for Broncos is number 8 Patrick Carrigan
-
Hooker for Panthers is number 14 Trent ToelauHooker for Broncos is number 9 Billy Walters
-
Prop for Panthers is number 16 Lindsay SmithProp for Broncos is number 10 Payne Haas
-
2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Liam Martin2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Xavier Willison
-
2nd Row for Panthers is number 15 Isaiah Papali'i2nd Row for Broncos is number 16 Brendan Piakura
-
Lock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah YeoLock for Broncos is number 13 Kobe Hetherington
Interchange
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 9 Luke SommertonInterchange for Broncos is number 12 Jordan Riki
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 10 Liam HenryInterchange for Broncos is number 14 Cory Paix
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 17 Mavrik GeyerInterchange for Broncos is number 15 Corey Jensen
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 19 Luron PateaInterchange for Broncos is number 17 Jaiyden Hunt
Reserves
-
Replacement for Panthers is number 20 Casey McLeanReplacement for Broncos is number 18 Tyson Smoothy
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Senior Review Official: Kasey Badger
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Panthers have won eight of their past nine games against the Broncos.
- Broncos fullback Selwyn Cobbo has scored six tries in two Magic Round games.
- The Panthers have won nine of their past 11 games at Suncorp Stadium.
- Broncos halfback Adam Reynolds requires three points to move to second on the all-time point scorers list.
- Panthers winger Brian To’o has scored six tries in nine games against the Broncos.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
