Panthers v Sea Eagles preview

Penrith Panthers v Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
Pepper Stadium - Saturday 7:30pm

Can last year's finalists find some form at the foot of the mountains.

After starting the 2015 NRL season with consecutive wins, the Panthers have hit a slump following three losses in succession. Having gone through three different halves combinations in the absence of Jamie Soward, Penrith have retained South Sydney premiership winner Apisai Koroisau alongside Peter Wallace in the hope that stability will bring results. In other selection news, Waqa Blake retains his place in the centres following a strong debut against the Cowboys, while Jamal Idris reverts to the backline following a hamstring injury sustained by Dean Whare, allowing Sika Manu to make his return from injury in the second row.

Winning only one of their first five matches, the Sea Eagles have experienced their worst start to a season since their ill-fated premiership defence of 2009. Manly have retained the same squad that went down to the Raiders in Albury last Saturday including rookie Tom Trbojevic. Producing two tries and line-breaks along with over 200 metres, the eighteen year old will be out to hold down a spot in the Sea Eagles side following the season-ending knee injury sustained by Clinton Gutherson. While neither captain Jamie Lyon or Steve Matai have been named, they are both in contention for a late call up pending last-minute fitness tests.

Last meeting: Round 25 2014 - Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 26 Penrith Panthers 25

Who to watch: While he may have played a mere 12 games in first grade, that hasn't stopped Isaah Yeo from putting his best foot forward for the Panthers. Having debuted last year in the centres, the St. John's Dubbo junior has made the transition to the forwards and has delivered tremendous results for coach Ivan Cleary. Averaging close to 30 tackles in just over a half of football so far this season, Yeo will be looking to help stop the Panthers run of losses by showing off his attacking prowess and exploiting the inexperienced Manly backline.

He may have started out as a Penrith junior but ever since his debut for the Sea Eagles in 2013, Jesse Sene-Lefao has been a stand out coming off the bench. The Samoan international will be looking to make an impact against his former club through his work with and without the ball. Averaging 20 tackles and possessing an under-rated offloading ability, Sene-Lefao will be out to show the Panthers what they lost in his first match back at the foot of the mountains since leaving at the end of 2012.

The favourite: While both sides have started the year below expectations, the Panthers will have the motivation of last August's controversial loss at Brookvale Oval to spur them on in front of their home fans.

My tip: Since Ivan Cleary and Geoff Toovey took over their respective clubs in 2012, the ledger stands at two wins apiece. Both sides are struggling, but the class of the Sea Eagles should see them home in a close encounter. Manly by 4.

1. Matt Moylan 2. Josh Mansour 3. Waqa Blake 4. Jamal Idris 5. Dallin Watene Zelezniak 6. Apisai Koroisau 7. Peter Wallace 8. Sam McKendry 9. James Segeyaro 10. Jeremy Latimore 11. Sika Manu 12. Isaah Yeo 13. Elijah Taylor
Interchange: 14. Tyrone Peachey 15. Nigel Plum 16. Regan Campbell-Gillard 17. Bryce Cartwright

1. Brett Stewart 2. Cheyse Blair 3. Brayden Wiliame 4. Peta Hiku 5. Tom Trbojevic 6. Kieran Foran 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Luke Burgess 9. Matt Ballin 10. Willie Mason 11. Jamie Buhrer 12. Tom Symonds 13. Dunamis Lui
Interchange: 14. Jesse Sene-Lefao 15. Ligi Sao 16. Justin Horo 17. Jake Trbojevic

Referees: Jared Maxwell, Chris James; Sideline Officials: Adam Reid, Ricky MacFarlane; Video Referees: Shayne Hayne, Ben Galea;

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