Round 27: Panthers v Titans preview
Milestones a plenty on a night of farewells
The Penrith Panthers will be striving to celebrate a momentous night in the club's history when they host the Gold Coast Titans in the final round of the home-and-away season.
Making their last regular season appearance at their Mulgoa Road home before redevelopments take place over the next two years, the match will see departing front-rower James Fisher-Harris become only the tenth man to play 200 games for the club.
Confirming a top four finish with a 34-12 win over the Rabbitohs last Friday, coach Ivan Cleary has been boosted by the return of Scott Sorenson in a reshuffle that sees Luke Garner move to the bench and Matt Eisenhuth relegated to the extended squad.
A win on Saturday evening will guarantee second position and a home qualifying final for the reigning premiers, while a loss could see the side finish as low as fourth should the Roosters and Sharks both win.
The Gold Coast Titans will be hoping to finish a disappointing season on a high with a rare scalp over the reigning premiers.
Coming into the final round without the burden of needing to avoid the wooden spoon despite going down 36-14 to the Knights last Sunday, coach Des Hasler has received mixed news on the selection front with Keano Kini returning at fullback, Arama Hau making his NRL debut off the bench and David Fifita ruled out with injury.
The Titans have had little to celebrate at Penrith over the years with three wins from nine visits; no players remain from the last Gold Coast team to triumph at the foot of the mountains in 2016.
The outcome of Saturday night will have negligible impact on the Titans final standing with a win keeping the side in 14th, while a loss could see the side fall to 15th if the Rabbitohs win the previous night.
Last meeting: Round 25 2023 - Titans 14 Panthers 40
Who to watch: Filling a role that has been instrumental to the Panthers success over recent seasons, Brad Schneider may prove to be the most important figure in the reigning premiers bid to go four-in-a-row. Playing 11 games covering in the halves this season, the 23-year-old could instil Ivan Cleary with the confidence to resist bringing Nathan Cleary back from injury for the qualifying final in the hope of securing a week off to extend the star halfback's recovery. Proving his credentials as a playmaker capable of stepping up under pressure during a brief stint with Hull KR last year, Schneider's form this week may have a major bearing on how the Panthers run out in weeks to come.
In a year where accolades have been few and far between for the Titans, the try-scoring prowess of Alofiana Khan-Pereira has been a source of Gold Coast pride. Sitting atop the league with 23 tries in 20 matches to shatter any suggestions of suffering the dreaded second-year syndrome, the 22-year-old flyer has earned the distinction of averaging a try in every game of his career to date. Sitting three tries clear of his nearest rival for the coveted Ken Irvine Medal, the Indigenous All Stars representative will be determined to finish 2024 as he started: scoring tries.
FAVOURITE: The Panthers are expected to extend their dominant record over the Titans having won 17 out of 24 meetings since 2007, including the past five meetings in a row.
MY TIP: The Panthers are playing to make finals memories while the Titans are looking to forget the regular season.
GOODBYE PENRITH PARK
PENRITH Panthers NRL record at Penrith Park (BLUEBET STADIUM)
- Won: 347, Drew: 20, Lost: 282
- Points scored: 13,395; Points conceded: 11,813
- Total crowds: 6,835,684 (average 10,533 per game)
- Biggest win: Penrith 72-12 Manly (rd 22, 2004)
- Biggest Loss: Manly 70-7 Penrith (rd19, 1973)
- Biggest Crowd: 22,582 - Round 19, 2010 - Parramatta def Penrith 34-28
- Most games played: Craig GOWER (115)
- Most points scored: Ryan GIRDLER (953)
