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Penrith Panthers v Parramatta Eels Thursday 7:50pm at BlueBet Stadium, Penrith / Dharug

Road to the finals meets end of the road in Western Sydney

Almost one year on from meeting in last year's premiership decider, Thursday night's clash at BlueBet Stadium will see the Penrith Panthers continue building for the finals against a Parramatta Eels side bidding farewell to a season of squandered opportunities.

Sitting atop the premiership ladder with an opportunity to claim their third minor premiership in four seasons, the Penrith Panthers will be aiming to guarantee a top two finish in their penultimate home appearance.

Returning to the foot of the mountains following a comprehensive 40-14 victory over the Titans last Saturday, coach Ivan Cleary will welcome back Brian To'o in place of Thomas Jenkins, while Jack Cogger remains at hooker with Mitch Kenny sidelined.

Winning seven out of 12 matches against the Eels since Cleary returned to the club in 2019, the match will see star second-rower Liam Martin bring up his 100th appearance in first grade.

Playing their final home-and-away match of a season that has been riddled with regret on and off the field, the Parramatta Eels will need to produce a large win and pray a series of results fall their way to have any chance of playing finals football.

Producing a disappointing showing during last Friday's 34-12 defeat to the Roosters, coach Brad Arthur has made minimal changes with J'maine Hopgood reverting to lock, Ryan Matterson starting in place of Joe Ofahengaue and Shaun Lane replacing Brendan Hands on the bench.

Coming into Round 26 in 11th position, two points adrift of the top eight, Thursday evening will likely be the final opportunity for Daejarn Asi, Joey Lussick, Ryan Matterson and Joe Ofahengaue to score a try or face the ignominy of finishing the season on the nudie run.

Winning three of their past five matches against the Panthers, including a golden point victory earlier this season, the Eels have struggled in clashes held at Penrith with three wins from nine visits during Arthur's tenure.

Last meeting: Round 4 2023 - Eels 17 Panthers 16

Who to watch: Winding down his time as Penrith player #589 before moving onto Canterbury-Bankstown next season, Stephen Crichton will be looking to finish up as a three-time premiership winner. Scoring 13 tries, setting up ten and producing 58 tackle breaks in 19 appearances this season, the 22-year-old outside back has been one of the club's most valuable players since coming into first grade four years ago. Set to be remembered as a club great for his heroics in the 2021 grand final, an injury-free run could see Crichton bring up 100 games on the first Sunday in October.

Emerging as a shining light in an underwhelming campaign for the blue and golds, J'maine Hopgood will be determined to show his former teammates how far he's come over the past year. Joining the Eels in pursuits of an opportunity after managing nine appearances with the Panthers in first grade, the 24-year-old has more than cemented a place in first grade with 123 running metres and 40 tackles on average in every match this season. Named as 19th man for Queensland in a sign the Hervey Bay junior is set to be a representative player of the future, expect Hopgood to deliver another strong showing as the Eels look forward to better things in 2024.

Favourite: The Panthers are expected to account for their Western Sydney rivals and bring up their ninth win in succession.

My tip:  Penrith produced one of the most clinical performances to defeat Parramatta in the grand final last October. They won't need to be anywhere near that standard to come away with two points on Thursday evening. Panthers by 20.

4. Stephen Crichton 21. Jesse McLean 3. Tyrone Peachey 21. Thomas Jenkins 5. Brian To'o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Jack Cogger 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Zac Hosking 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Soni Luke 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Luke Garner 18. Jaeman Salmon

1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Bailey Simonsson 5. Sean Russell 6. Daejarn Asi 7. Dylan Brown 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Joey Lussick 16. Wiremu Greig 11. Ryan Matterson 12. Bryce Cartwright 17. Joe Ofahengaue 14. Junior Paulo 13. J'maine Hopgood 14. Luca Moretti 15. Shaun Lane 19. Brendan Hands

Referees: Ben Cummins; Sideline Officials: Chris Sutton, Liam Kennedy; Video Referees: Chris Butler;