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Penrith Panthers v Parramatta Eels Friday 7:55pm at BlueBet Stadium, Penrith / Dharug

Finals Footy kickstarts with a Battle of the West

The NRL 2022 Finals series kickstarts in spectacular fashion with the Penrith Panthers taking on the Parramatta Eels before what's sure to be a capacity crowd at Bluebet Stadium in Penrith.

What a season it has been for the Penrith Panthers, they are deserving minor premiers with a six point gap on their nearest rivals. Ivan Cleary has to be commended for the way he has managed his squad this season, with another high workload through the State of Origin series and the emergence of stars like Dylan Edwards. Penrith weathered the storm and despite some hiccups in the last few weeks, they've still managed to knock up 20 wins for the third straight season (including finals). Last week was an outlier in terms of the Panthers with a big loss against the Cowboys, with all the personnel changes, it's unfair to analyse it too much.  For the Battle of the West, it appears that Parramatta are Penrith's bogey team as of late, as the Eels are the only side to defeat Penrith twice this season. Their last head to head match-up saw a convincing Parramatta victory when Nathan Cleary was sent off mid-way through the first half for an ugly spear tackle. Although the score blew out before the break which gave the Eels a 30-4 advantage, Penrith could take away a spirited second half performance when they outscored the Eels and were the better side. 

Tactically, this game is won and lost in the middle. I feel that this year, when Penrith have dominated the ruck and taken total control away from a side they get the job done, unfortunately they've failed to do it on both occasions against the Eels. With a full-strength line-up back on deck, it's going to be an exciting contest. If I took you through every single change from round 25, we'll be here until kick-off. The big change is the return of Nathan Cleary after his aforementioned suspension. Otherwise, it's the full strength side that we've seen dominate the premiership this season. Taylan May has been cleared to play although has faced punishment from the NRL over his off-season assault conviction.  For the Eels, it's been an up and down season as it's been said all the way through. But, the reality is, they've been on song in the run into the finals and have a deserved top four birth at the expense of the Storm who they knocked off last week. Mitch Moses has been the cog that has turned the Eels fortunes since his return from a fractured finger, but the forwards have been the goers that have dominated their opposition pack.

As far as the head to head goes, Parramatta have been the monkey on the back of Penrith. In looking at their previous two outings. Parramatta have frustrated the Panthers with a strong pack of forwards that have made life a living hell for the Panthers. These forwards have limited the back three of Edwards, To'o and May (three of the best yardage runners) in these clashes, with the intensity of finals footy, it plays into the hands of the Eels. On the team front, Brad Arthur has the upmost trust in his line-up, naming the same side that defeated Melbourne last week. Nathan Brown is an outside chance to come into the side after returning from injury in his side's NSW Cup elimination final last week.

Last meeting: Round 20 2022 - Eels 34 Panthers 10

Who to watch: He's back folks. After a five week suspension, Nathan Cleary is back fresher than ever for Penrith's tilt at back to back premierships. There's no doubting Cleary's ability as one of the game's best attacking minds, at times this season he's looked unstoppable. The challenge for Nathan this season, is to finally get the monkey off his back and lead his side to the back to back premierships.

Likewise for the Eels, the focal point is Clint Gutherson. Gutho has had a strong season for the Eels and has the benefit of an uninterrupted season with no injuries or suspension. With how close the Eels came to victory last year, they are going to be hungry and want redemption. Gutherson's ability to dictate the Eels attack around the ruck will tire out the Penrith middle third and open up the attack.

The favourite: Penrith are the slight favourites at home. Although as documented, Parramatta has a good record against Penrith in the 2022 NRL season. In finals history, their last finals meeting saw Penrith escape with a controversial two point win in Mackay last season.

My tip: Well, it's one super clash to open the finals series and it'll set the standard of footy that we are going to see over the next month. Parramatta have had the wool on Penrith this season, and all signs point to the Eels winning their third game against their Western Sydney rivals on Friday night. Eels by 2.

1. Dylan Edwards 2. Taylan May 3. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To'o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 14. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 9. Apisai Koroisau 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Jaeman Salmon 18. Charlie Staines

1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Tom Opacic 5. Waqa Blake 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Isaiah Papali'i 17. Marata Niukore 13. Ryan Matterson 14. Makahesi Makatoa 15. Jakob Arthur 16. Oregon Kaufusi 18. Nathan Brown

Referees: Gerard Sutton; Sideline Officials: Phil Henderson, Michael Wise; Video Referees: Adam Gee;