Round 21: Panthers v Bulldogs preview
Masters v Apprentices
The two time premiers in the Penrith Panthers do battle against a team that is trying to do their best copycat impressions in the Canterbury Bulldogs.
For the Penrith Panthers, despite numerous disruptions through the Origin period, which included the loss of Nathan Cleary to a hamstring injury threatened to bring their campaign unstuck. However, under the leadership of Jack Cogger and Dylan Edwards, the Panthers have steadied have only lost one game during the Origin period. Now, with their stars well rested during the Origin period, the premiership favourites are primed to join a rare company and claim their third premiership in a row.
Coming into the game against Canterbury, it's easy to look at this game as a victory on paper. However, there will be some personal scores to settle on both sides, with coaches, administrators and players leaving the premiers to go steady the sinking Belmore ship. This means the game could be a spiteful one, and they'll have to be careful not to lose their cool as teams have exposed Penrith for a lack of discipline on occasions this season.
On the team front. Their Origin contingent are back with the likes of To'o, Crichton, Luai, Martin and Yeo set to be a timely boost. Nathan Cleary returns for his 150th first grade fixture. Zac Hosking goes back to the bench and Jaeman Salmon drops out for Luke Garner to retain his bench spot while Cleary's understudy Jack Cogger is 18th Man.
Onto the boys from Belmore. What's promised so much as been overshadowed by a bad luck of injuries, but also to that, is some horrifying defensive efforts. Canterbury have conceded 66, 32 and 44 in the last three weeks. For the defensive guru that Cam Ciraldo is, that will be something that will have to be fixed in order for the Dogs to show any signs moving forward for the future.
Onto the Penrith game, and as I touched on above. It will be a rivalry game as so many players have crossed the divide from Penrith to Belmore in recent seasons. It'll be a game in which Canterbury will have to be perfect to win. They showed some good attacking signs in the last fortnight with Toby Sexton steering the ship as well as Jacob Kiraz moving out to centre. Elsewhere, their pack needs to lift to match the juggernaut that is Penrith's so expect a big performance from Max King and Tevita Pangai Jr.
On the team front, Kyle Flanagan takes over at halfback from Toby Sexton (head knock) while Paul Alamoti comes in at centre for Braidon Burns (abdomen). Harrison Edwards has been added to the bench. Star back-rower Viliame Kikau is listed among the reserves as he nears a return from the pectoral injury that has sidelined him since Round 4. Josh Addo-Carr is also on the reserves list as he looks to prove his fitness.
Last meeting: Round 13 2022 - Panthers 30 Bulldogs 18
Who to watch: After narrowly missing Origin selection for the dead-rubber. Izack Tago has shown his ability to become one of the game's strike centres. Since his return from a pectoral injury in the middle of the year, Tago has been a handful for defenders, making a whopping 36 tackle breaks since his return from injury. With that sort of tackle breaking ability against what's been a suspect Bulldogs defence, Tago could be set for a field day on Sunday.
Onto the Bulldogs. All eyes are on Matt Burton. Lining up against his former club where he became a star, Burton will be set on having a big game against his mates. With Sexton there to help steer the ship, Burton has been able to play a bit more off the cuff footy and this has encouraged a better player and one more willing to take risks. Dogs fans are hopeful it pays off on Sunday.
Favourite: Penrith are overwhelmingly popular with the bookies in this one.
My tip: It's an easy one for me. Penrith to win and to win well. Their stars are back and despite the early fireworks with the forward exchanges. The Panthers quality of talent should be too much for an out of sorts Canterbury. Penrith by 16.
