Matchday Details
Saturday, July 26 – 5:30 pm (AEST) – CommBank Stadium, Sydney
📺 Broadcast: Fox League / Kayo
Referee: Peter Gough | Bunker: Chris Butler
Panthers
1. Dylan Edwards 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Izack Tago 4. Casey McLean 5. Brian To’o 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Luke Garner 12. Isaiah Papali’i 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Brad Schneider 15. Liam Henry 16. Luron Patea 17. Matt Eisenhuth
Tigers
1. Sunia Turuva 2. Izaac Tu’itupou 3. Taylan May 4. Starford To’a 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Jarome Luai 7. Latu Fainu 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Alex Twal 11. Alex Seyfarth 12. Tony Sukkar 13. Adam Doueihi 14. Tristan Hope 15. Jack Bird 16. Fonua Pole 17. Sione Fainu
Match Preview
It wasn’t that long ago that the Panthers were sitting outside the top eight, and some were wondering if the four-time premiers were not going to play finals football. Panthers fans never doubted their side, and now they are sixth on the table and haven’t lost since round 12 against the Knights.
Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo have been named this week after being rested against Souths. Brad Schneider drops from the starting side to the interchange bench, with Jack Cole missing out. Izack Tago returns from suspension and will start in the centres. This sees Paul Alamoti drop out of the starting side: he has been named as the 18th man. Despite concerns around his knee and hamstring, Brian To’o will take his place on the wing.
While it has been an improved season for the Tigers, they are an outside chance of making the top eight. They have two good, close wins against the Roosters and Titans, but losses to the Warriors and Sea Eagles have stopped their momentum. The last rounds see them play top sides such as the Raiders and Bulldogs, with another game against the Titans, and a home game against the Cowboys, which is the easiest part of their schedule.
Former Rabbitoh Izaac Tu’itupou will make his debut for the Tigers on the wing, with Charlie Staines dropping out of the side. Tu’itupou has scored 12 tries from 18 games for Wests Magpies in the NSW Cup. Api Koroisau has been named to start after coming on off the bench last weekend.
Head-to-head, these two teams have played 42 games, with the Panthers winning 27 and the Tigers 15. The Panthers have won their last eight games against the Tigers. In round 14, goal-kicking proved to be the decisive factor (Penrith winning 18-14), with Cleary kicking three from four, while Adam Doueihi only managed to kick one from three. It’s hard to see the Tigers getting that close to the Panthers this time around.
The battle between the halves will be a key match-up in this game. Both sides have an experienced halfback accompanied by a player trying to carve out a career in the NRL. Cleary and Talagi have the edge over the Luai and Fainu, but it won’t be long before the Tigers duo catch up, given that Luai stays at the Tigers past 2026, of course.
Terrell May has been a shining light for the Tigers this season. He doesn’t take a backward step: he won’t do it against the Panthers either. Watching him go toe-to-toe with Moses Leota is worth the price of admission. It will be up to the men around May and Leota as to who will win the battle of the forwards.
Prediction
RLZ Tip: Panthers by 14.
See our full Round 21 Predictions (live Wednesday 12pm) here: 2025 NRL Tipping: Round 21 Writer Predictions
Have your say: Who wins? Drop your tip in the comments or vote in our poll.
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