NRL TEAMS - 2024 Round 3
6 hours ago | LeagueUnlimited Media
Green Machine v Mountain Men in Semi-Final Showdown
In a rivalry forged through Grand Final clashes in the early 1990s, the Raiders and Panthers will once again resume hostilities on Saturday night, as the pair face off for the right to challenge Melbourne for a place in the Grand Final. Coming into the finals off the back of ten straight wins, the Raiders looked on track to book a place in the Preliminary Final only for injury and momentum to cruel them. Having dominated the opening half against Cronulla, an injury to influential hooker Josh Hodgson enabled the Sharks to work their way back into the contest before taking the lead in the dying stages to secure a 16-14 victory. As a result, the Raiders remain at GIO Stadium for Saturday's match, with Ricky Stuart's men boosted by the return of Blake Austin, while Hodgson has been named despite carrying ligament damage. Should Austin and Hodgson fail to recover in time for the do-or-die clash, look for Sam Williams and Adam Clydesdale to come into the squad.
Riding high after six consecutive wins, the Panthers will be full of confidence heading into Saturday's clash after proving too much for the Bulldogs on Sunday. Returning to Canberra for the first time since their opening round defeat back in March, coach Anthony Griffin will have his side ready for a physical encounter that also promises some of the most enterprising play seen this season. Once again the Panthers will field an unchanged squad, with Sitaleki Akauola named on the bench despite failing a HIA test mid-way through the 28-12 win on Sunday. In recent seasons, Penrith have struggled in their visits to Canberra, managing just one win from four appearances, however the last time the two combatants met in Bathurst, a controversial field-goal from Peter Wallace proved the decisive play in a 19-18 win.
Last meeting: Round 9 2016 - Panthers 19 Raiders 18
Last Finals Meeting: Qualifying Final 2010 - Panthers 22 Raiders 24
Who to watch: Playing in the biggest match of his NRL career on Saturday night, look for Canberra enforcer Josh Papalii to make a statement against the Panthers. Having experienced representative success with Australia and Queensland during the course of his six-year career, the 24-year-old second-rower has been unable to take the Raiders past the second week of September. With the Raiders ruing a missed opportunity against the Sharks last week, expect the big number 11 to make his presence felt in front of the vocal Canberra crowd.
Predominantly known as a versatile forward capable of covering playmaking positions, Tyrone Peachey has been a revelation in the centres this season. In the absence of Kiwi internationals Dean Whare and Peta Hiku for the majority of the season, the makeshift centre has provided the Panthers with an attacking weapon that has delivered consistently throughout 2016. Averaging over 100 metres per game, the former Shark will face a fierce test against wrecking ball Joey Leilua on Saturday, but should the City Origin representative rise to the occasion, look for Penrith to celebrate like it's 1991.
The favourite: Despite an injury cloud hanging over Josh Hodgson and Blake Austin, the Raiders are favoured to bounce back in front of a passionately vocal home crowd.
My tip: Since the change from the McIntyre system in 2012, the home side in the Semi-Finals has prevailed on six of eight occasions. As they have done all season, look for the Panthers to defy expectations and book a trip to Melbourne. Panthers by 2.
Outcome: The winner of the Second Semi-Final will travel away to face Melbourne Storm at AAMI Park next Saturday night for a place in the Grand Final.
1. Jack Wighton 2. Edrick Lee 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Joseph Leilua 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Blake Austin 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Junior Paulo 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Shannon Boyd 11. Josh Papalii 12. Elliot Whitehead 13. Iosia Soliola
Interchange: 14. Kurt Baptiste 15. Luke Bateman 16. Paul Vaughan 17. Joseph Tapine
1. Matt Moylan 2. Josh Mansour 17. Zak Hardaker 4. Tyrone Peachey 5. Dallin Watene Zelezniak 6. Bryce Cartwright 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Leilani Latu 9. Peter Wallace 10. Suaia Matagi 11. Isaah Yeo 12. James Fisher-Harris 13. Trent Merrin
Interchange: 14. Sitaleki Akauola 15. Jeremy Latimore 16. Chris Grevsmuhl 17. Moses Leota
Referees: Ben Cummins, Gerard Sutton; Sideline Officials: Brett Suttor, Chris Butler; Video Referees: Bernard Sutton, Ben Galea, Ashley Klein