Matchday Details
Saturday 28th March – 5:30pm (AEST) – CommBank Stadium
📺 Broadcast: Fox League / Kayo
Referee: Todd Smith | Bunker: Liam Kennedy
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. Mitch Kenny, 10. Lindsay Smith, 11. Isaiah Papali’i, 12. Liam Martin, 13. Isaah Yeo, 14. Jack Cogger, 15. Billy Phillips, 16. Scott Sorensen, 17. Luke Garner, 18. Izack Tago, 19. Freddy Lussick, 20. Tom Ale, 21. Jack Cole, 22. Jaxen Edgar
Parramatta Eels
1. Isaiah Iongi, 2. Bailey Simonsson, 3. Brian Kelly, 4. Sean Russell, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. Jonah Pezet, 7. Mitchell Moses (c), 8. Jack Williams, 9. Ryley Smith, 10. Junior Paulo, 11. Kelma Tuilagi, 12. Kitione Kautoga, 13. Dylan Walker, 14. Tallyn Da Silva, 15. Sam Tuivaiti, 16. Matt Doorey, 17. Luca Moretti, 18. Charlie Guymer, 19. Joash Papalii, 20. Jack De Belin, 21. Teancum Brown, 22. Araz Nanva
Match Preview
Two local rivals meet this Saturday as the Panthers host the Eels at CommBank Stadium. The Panthers have yet to lose to the Eels while hosting them in Parramatta, a fact that is certain to motivate the away side.
The home team sits second but is clearly the form side of the competition. In the opening three rounds, they’ve dismantled heavyweights in the Broncos, Sharks, and Roosters, conceding just 10 points in total. It’s a sign the Panthers are well and truly hungry to add another trophy to the cabinet. Meanwhile, the Eels have strung together two wins, putting their poor Round 1 showing firmly behind them. Still a work in progress, they continue to refine and polish their game week-to-week.
For the Panthers, Jack Cogger returns to the bench in place of Jack Cole. The only other change sees Izack Tago named on the extended bench, though he is unlikely to feature. The Eels have brought in Brian Kelly to cover for the injured Jordan Samrani, while Jack Williams shifts to prop in place of J’Maine Hopgood, with Luca Moretti joining the bench.
The Panthers simply need to stick to their game plan to win this one. Nathan Cleary has been in typically brilliant form and, if anything, looks to have taken his game to another level. At times last week, he appeared to be toying with the opposition. Expect Penrith to target Brian Kelly’s edge, particularly after his defensive struggles in Round 1. That said, coach Jason Ryles has shifted him to right centre alongside Mitch Moses, whose defensive reliability should provide stronger support than Jonah Pezet.
The battle between the two NSW representative halves will be one to watch. Cleary has been the sole conductor for Penrith, dictating play with complete control. Moses, on the other hand, has taken a slight step back to allow youngster Pezet to call more of the shots. However, his long kicking game remains elite—booting over 700 metres last week to consistently pin opponents deep in their own end.
Both teams boast forward packs with a mix of size and mobility, though the Panthers hold a slight edge in overall power. A key contest will be between the two ball-playing locks, Isaah Yeo and Dylan Walker, and how they manipulate the middle. Yeo, effectively a second halfback, links both sides of the field and times his carries to create space for his halves and edges. Walker plays a similar role but with a more direct approach—often using decoy runners before hitting a forward like Junior Paulo on an overs line. Against a tiring defence, this can bend the line, draw in defenders, and create scoring opportunities if support is present.
The two sides have met seven times at CommBank Stadium, with the Panthers holding a 4–3 edge overall. However, since becoming regular tenants, they have not lost to the Eels at the venue. Ultimately, Penrith’s class this season makes them difficult to tip against, though the Eels may offer early resistance before fading.
Prediction
RLZ Tip: Panthers by 14 points.
Bold call: Tom Jenkins to continue his tryscoring feats with a double.
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