Matchday Details
Sunday, 17 May 2026 – 6:25pm AEST – Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
📺 Broadcast: Fox League / Kayo
Referee: Jarrod Cole | Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins
Penrith Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards, 2. Thomas Jenkins, 3. Paul Alamoti, 4. Casey McLean, 5. Brian To’o, 6. Blaize Talagi, 7. Nathan Cleary (c), 8. Moses Leota, 9. Freddy Lussick, 10. Lindsay Smith, 11. Isaiah Papali’i, 12. Luke Garner, 13. Isaah Yeo, 14. Jack Cogger, 15. Scott Sorensen, 16. Liam Henry, 17. Izack Tago, 18. Billy Phillips, 19. Billy Scott, 20. Jack Cole, 21. Sione Fonua, 22. Luron Patea
St George Illawarra Dragons: 1. Clinton Gutherson, 2. Setu Tu, 3. Moses Suli, 4. Valentine Holmes, 5. Christian Tuipulotu, 6. Daniel Atkinson, 7. Kyle Flanagan, 8. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga, 9. Damien Cook (c), 10. Toby Couchman, 11. Dylan Egan, 12. Hamish Stewart, 13. Ryan Couchman, 14. Luciano Leilua, 15. Emre Guler, 16. Josh Kerr, 17. Blake Lawrie, 18. Tyrell Sloan, 19. Lyhkan King-Togia, 20. Hayden Buchanan, 21. Hame Sele, 22. Haele Finau
Match Preview
The Dragons’ season continues to crumble and it doesn’t get any easier this weekend as they take on the top-of-the-table Panthers to close out Magic Round.
Despite moving on from coach Shane Flanagan a couple of weeks ago, the Dragons are still yet to win a game, sitting bottom of the ladder with a woeful points difference of -185. They produced arguably one of their worst performances of the year last week against the Knights, who ran in six first half tries on the way to a 44-10 victory.
The Panthers were tested once again last week, as the Raiders returned to some of their best form, but ultimately not enough as Penrith eventually came away with a 30-18 win. They have just one change this week with Jack Cogger returning to his utility role on the bench in place of Jack Cole.
Kyle Flanagan has been recalled at halfback with news that youngster Kade Reed will miss about three months with a finger injury. Also returning are Moses Suli and Christian Tuipulotu in the backs, with Tyrell Sloan sliding to the bench, and Mat Feagai out with a back injury. Dan Atkinson and Luciano Leilua are also back from injury and suspension respectively.
It’s been a big week of news out of Penrith, with Ivan Cleary announcing on Wednesday that he will be stepping down as head coach at the end of the 2027 season. All his focus, however, remains on beating the Dragons on Sunday, and he will want his side to clean up some of the errors that put them under pressure against the Raiders. Assuming they control the ball better, this game could get ugly.
The Dragons have to ensure they control field position, but that’s easier said than done against the Panthers forward pack. The Dragons have some bright, young talent across the middle of the field in the likes of the Couchman brothers and Hamish Stewart, but up against the prop duo of Leota and Smith, Papali’i and Garner on the edges, and the ever steady presence of Yeo at lock, it’s tough to see them coming out on top in the all-important battle through the middle.
Dragons skipper Damien Cook will play his 250th NRL game, which should provide some motivation for his side, but the Panthers should be far too strong in this one.
Prediction
RLZ Tip: Panthers by 34.
Bold call: After three weeks without scoring, Thomas Jenkins returns to his try scoring ways with a hat-trick.
Related
- NRL Round 10 Review
- NRL Round 11 Predictions
- NRL Round 11 Team Lists
- NRL Round 11 Hub
- NRL Injury List
- NRL Match Review Tracker
- Magic Round Historical Stats
