Roosters v Panthers preview

Sydney Roosters v Penrith Panthers
Allianz Stadium - Monday 7:00pm

Who had the bright idea of putting this gem of a game on a Monday night? Seriously, who was it? I'll have their head!

Yes, i'll admit we're only in round 3, but so far the Panthers and the Roosters have been two of the form sides of the competition. The Panthers finally seem to be shaking the connotation that they're just making up the numbers in the top eight, and it only took about 40 weeks of consistent performances to do it. And the Roosters, well, we all know how competitive they've been over the past decade, and nothing has changed in recent times.

The Panthers will come into this game riding high on the back of a 40-0 drubbing of the Gold Coast Titans last Saturday night. It was a one-sided affair, with the hapless Titans thoroughly outplayed across the park.

The Panthers backline was particularly impressive against the Titans, and will be boosted even further with the return of Josh Mansour on the wing.

The Roosters have named an unchanged side from the one that ran out in their narrow loss to the Rabbitohs last Sunday, although Willie Manu has been added to an extended bench.

Despite being last start losers, no heads will have dropped in the Roosters camp. The Roosters were in the game right up until the last minute, when Isaac Luke scored a try to make the scoreline flatter the bunnies. Losing by 8 points against a red-hot defending premier is no mean feat.

Last meeting: Finals Week 1 2014 - Sydney Roosters 18 Penrith Panthers 19

Who to watch: This game boasts mouth-watering matchups right across the park - Warea-Hargeaves and Sam Moa v McKendry and White, Whare and Idris v Jennings and Ferguson, Pearce v Wallace. Our pick for this week though is the battle of the fullbacks.

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has been in brilliant form for the Roosters so far in 2015. There were some question marks over how he perform full time in the role after the retirement of Anthony Minichiello, but to be honest, Mini hasn't really been missed. Last week Tuivasa-Sheck ran for almost 200 metres and was a handful for the defence. However, his defence at the back has been somewhat suspect, as is to be expected for a newbie to the role.

Matt Moylan for the Panthers has also been electric. So far in 2015, Moylan has averaged over 150 metres per game, and his positional play has also been on-song. In a NSW team in a post- Jarryd Hayne era, Moylan has staked an early claim.

The favourite: The home side will start as strong favourites, but discount the Panthers at your peril. This will be their first real test in 2015, and they'll be looking to prove their 2014 finals berth was no fluke.

My tip: With everything to prove, my money is going on the Panthers. I think it'll be a close one though - with a single conversion the difference. Panthers by 2.

1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Michael Jennings 4. Blake Ferguson 5. Shaun Kenny-Dowall 6. James Maloney 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Matt McIlwrick 10. Sam Moa 11. Boyd Cordner 12. Aidan Guerra 13. Isaac Liu
14. Mitchell Aubusson 15. Dylan Napa 16. Kane Evans 17. Siosiua Taukeiaho 18. Willie Manu

1. Matt Moylan 2. Josh Mansour 3. Dean Whare 4. Jamal Idris 5. Dallin Watene Zelezniak 6. Isaac John 7. Peter Wallace 8. Sam McKendry 9. James Segeyaro 10. Brent Kite 11. Sika Manu 12. Lewis Brown 13. Elijah Taylor
14. Tyrone Peachey 15. Jeremy Latimore 16. Regan Campbell-Gillard 17. Bryce Cartwright

Referees: Gerard Sutton, Matt Cecchin; Sideline Officials: Ricky MacFarlane, Chris Sutton; Video Referees: Shayne Hayne, Luke Patten;

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