Panthers v Eels preview

Embed from Getty Images

Penrith Panthers v Parramatta Eels Friday 8:05pm at BlueBet Stadium, Penrith / Dharug

Beth previews the upcoming meeting between the Penrith Panthers and the Parramatta Eels.

The Eels travel out West to BlueBet Stadium to write another chapter in the long-standing rivalry of the Western Sydney battle between them and the Panthers. 

Penrith will be vying to get a win on the board after being kept scoreless in their opening match against the Storm last week, which was preceded by a loss in the World Cup Challenge against Wigan in February. 

Scott Sorensen and Luke Kenny return to their forward positions, forcing Luke Garner to the bench and Luke Sommerton to drop out of the squad. Matt Eisenhuth, Paul Alamoti and Brad Schneider are the names among the reserves. 

Unlike their rivals, the Eels opened their season on a high, beating the Bulldogs at home with a 26-8 score line, leaving them in third place on the ladder (although arguably this doesn't have much of an impact during the opening few rounds). 

Parramatta will be lining up the same 17 that got the job done last week against the Bulldogs. Despite having to pass on kicking duties to his teammate last week due to a groin injury, Mitchell Moses has been confirmed that he'll be good to go come Friday night. 

Between the two teams they have similar win percentages, however Parramatta lead the way with 66 compared to Penrith having only 52. Both times these rivals met in 2023, the Eels claimed victory, in Round 4 where Mitchell Moses kicked a winning field goal in golden point, followed by a Round 26 where they pulled off an upset defeat, winning 32-18. 

A plethora of stats lend towards each side, with Penrith not losing two consecutive opening matches since 2016 and winning their past 10/11 games at BlueBet Stadium, whilst the Eels have won four of their last six matches against the Panthers. 

Last meeting: Round 26 2023 - Panthers 18 Eels 32

Who to watch: After missing out on the 2023 season due to an ACL injury, Taylan May is currently filling the centre void of Stephen Crichton. During the match against the Storm, he made 157 run metres for 14 runs, and lead the Panthers side for both line breaks (two) and tackle breaks (seven). He is already showing an inkling of his potential in the side, and it will be interesting to see how the rest of his season pans out. 

Scoring two of the four tries last match, Bryce Cartwright is a force to be reckoned with. Not only did he pile on the points, he made two line breaks, ran for 114 metres and made six offloads, whilst also excelling in defence where he made 22 tackles, only missing one during his 68 minutes on the field. He was one of the shining stars on the field, and it would be great to watch this form carry with him from now on.

Favourite: Penrith are favoured to grab their first win of the season. 

My tip:  I don't think Penrith will let another loss slide under their belt, especially after their mediocre start to the season in Melbourne. They were lacking a sense of cohesion against the Storm, who just were too good in defence. It will be a tight game, but I think the Panthers will persevere and claim victory in the end. Penrith by 8.

1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Taylan May 5. Brian To'o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Liam Henry 17. Luke Garner 18. Daine Laurie 14. Soni Luke

1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Bailey Simonsson 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Morgan Harper 5. Sean Russell 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Joey Lussick 16. Joe Ofahengaue 11. Shaun Lane 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. J'maine Hopgood 10. Junior Paulo 14. Brendan Hands 15. Ryan Matterson 17. Kelma Tuilagi 20. Luca Moretti

Referee: Ashley Klein; Sideline Officials: Matt Noyen, Chris Sutton; Video Referee: Grant Atkins;