Panthers v Raiders preview

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The Panthers return to Bathurst and brace for a Raiders side coming off a 60-6 thumping win. Are Panthers fans in for another heart-stopping finish or will the Raiders build on last week's demolition?

The Panthers have officially been involved in the closest games to start a season in NRL history. Having had their opening 8 games to the season decided by just 3.25 points on average, Penrith fans can be both proud and disappointed with a 3-5 record to open their 2016 campaign. Having challenged some of the top sides this season right up to the 80th minute, including the Cowboys, Broncos, Eels, Sharks and Bulldogs, the Panthers arguably deserve a top 8 spot. Yet, their inability to close out games has cost them dearly, as did their goal kicking in their last start defeat to the Sharks. In the absence of young gun Te Maire Martin, Penrith fans will be hoping for more attacking input from Bryce Cartwright. Cartwright was instrumental in Penrith's tight loss to Cronulla, with 133 running metres, 2 tackle busts and 2 selective offloads which were exactly that - selective. Cartwright has often struggled with determining the difference between selective and unnecessary offloads, however, Cartwright threatened with almost every touch of the ball against the Sharks and will look to continue this with the Penrith side relying on offloads in order to score points.

Canberra, meanwhile, were struggling for form following two comprehensive defeats at the hands of Parramatta and Cronulla. They, however, would bounce back in extraordinary fashion belting a poor Tigers outfit 60-6, earning 11 line breaks to 2, whilst almost doubling the running metres of the away side with 1739m to 951m. Jordan Rapana had a particularly fruitful outing with 4 tries, 186 running metres, 7 tackle busts and 4 line breaks. With 3 try assists and 4 line break assists, Dally M leader Josh Hodgson, however, took man of the match honours and will prove a handful for the Panthers to stop with the hooker instrumental in their 30-22 victory over the Panthers in Round 1. It remains to be seen how the Raiders build upon such a confidence-boosting victory, with Sticky's men coming up against a much more difficult challenge this week in the plucky Panthers. It also remains to be seen whether enigmatic five-eighth Blake Austin will be a late inclusion for the Canberra side, with the chance to rest up over the Representative Round perhaps too appealing for coach Ricky Stuart and injury-prone Austin.

Last meeting: Round 1 2016 - Raiders 30 Panthers 22 - in a game decimated by injuries to key players, the Raiders outlasted the Panthers in the opening round of the season. 

Who to watch: An absolute cracker is set to decide this one in the middle, with James Segeyaro returning from injury against the form player of the competition. Segeyaro has yet to live up to his impressive 2014 form, with injuries denying Segeyaro an opportunity to gain any momentum, with the 2014 Dally M Hooker of the Year more than likely to have been coming off the bench if not for the timely injury to rookie Te Maire Martin. Segeyaro is explosive out of dummy half, but at the same time can stilt any go-forward. With his future unclear, Segeyaro will be looking for a big game this Saturday.

Hodgson, however, has certainly not struggled to find form, with the English hooker impressively totalling 6 try assists in a stellar start to the season. Hodgson has proven a threat both running and kicking the ball and has been instrumental in all of the Raiders' victories this season. Shutting down Hodsgon will go a long way to securing victory for Penrith in Bathurst.

The favourite: Despite their 60-6 victory, the Raiders are slight outsiders, with Penrith favourites to get a bit of luck this weekend.

My tip: This shapes as the toughest of all this week to tip. Were the Tigers bad or Raiders good? Will so many close losses finally break Penrith's back? It's tough, but Penrith need to win this one with a possible mid-season run looming. Penrith by 2.

1. Matt Moylan 2. Josh Mansour 12. Isaah Yeo 4. Peta Hiku 5. Dallin Watene Zelezniak 6. Jamie Soward 7. Peter Wallace 20. Sam McKendry 14. Tyrone Peachey 10. Regan Campbell-Gillard 11. Bryce Cartwright 17. James Fisher-Harris 13. Trent Merrin
Interchange: 8. Leilani Latu 15. Jeremy Latimore 16. Suaia Matagi 9. James Segeyaro

1. Jack Wighton 2. Edrick Lee 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Joseph Leilua 5. Jordan Rapana 20. Blake Austin 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Shannon Boyd 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Paul Vaughan 11. Josh Papalii 12. Elliot Whitehead 13. Shaun Fensom
Interchange: 14. Kurt Baptiste 15. Luke Bateman 16. Clay Priest 17. Joseph Tapine

Referees: Gavin Reynolds, Alan Shortall; Sideline Officials: Brett Suttor, Rohan Best; Video Referees: Steve Chiddy, Luke Patten;