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Penrith Panthers v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Friday 6:00pm at BlueBet Stadium, Penrith / Dharug

Not often does a Friday 6pm heighten the excitement, but this is not going to be any old Friday 6pm game - as friends become foes with the Canterbury Bulldogs taking on the Penrith Panthers at Bluebet.

Despite not looking anywhere near their best, the Panthers managed to pull out a 42-12 win over the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Accor Stadium last Thursday. The night didn't start well for the Panthers with Izack Tago penalised and sin binned for a hip drop before falling 12-0 behind as Souths took advantage. Penrith were able to get into their groove, overturning the deficit and running in 42 unanswered points - including scoring 24 in two separate periods up against 12 men.

To the eye, the Panthers haven't looked anywhere near their clinical best this season but they are sitting third with six wins and two losses from their first eight games. They have had a better attack this season despite having a game where they didn't score a point in Round 1, which could be a scary factor to the rest of the competition as halfback Nathan Cleary has been missing for half the clubs' eight matches to date.

In a massive boost for the Panthers, Nathan Cleary will return after being rested for the Souths game which adds a strong weapon to their attack. The suspension of Izack Tago for his hip drop means that Paul Alamoti returns to the Penrith side where he has performed strongly in the two appearances he made this season. Liam Henry also returns to the bench in place of Matt Eisenhuth after missing last week's match.

Controversy was the word around the Bulldogs' 22-14 comeback win over the Wests Tigers last week, in an at-times spiteful clash. The first half performance for Canterbury was pretty average but the second half was a lot better, capitalising on the Tigers' implosion.

In all, Canterbury have had a much better season than last, which wasn't easy. In both attack and defence they have been vastly improved in 2024, scoring an average of a try more per game whilst defensively they are conceding on average two tries less - which shows why they sit in eighth.

Cameron Ciraldo has named the same 17 as last week's late mail, with Connor Tracey named in the reserve after missing the Tigers' win through injury. The late switch between Sam Hughes and Josh Curran could be a goer once again.

Last meeting: Round 21 2023 - Panthers 44 Bulldogs 18

Who to watch: A lot of hype will be about Panthers favourites returning to Penrith in blue-and-white for the first time, but forgotten is a reverse returnee with Penrith centre Paul Alamoti coming up against his former club Canterbury. Having played two matches for the Mountain Men this season, Alamoti was strong in Bathurst against the Tigers and then backed up well against the Cowboys.

Grand final hero Stephen Crichton is a club favourite in Penrith and there are going to be plenty of emotions when best friends become rivals on Friday night. The Bulldogs' captain will be under a lot of focus given returning to a ground with such fond memories could be a tough game especially against a side wanting to prove their point.

The favourite: The Panthers go into the game heavy favourites.

My tip: Penrith should be able to win the game but it might not be the cakewalk that a lot of people expect as the Bulldogs will be up for this game. The return of Nathan Cleary could be the big impact for the Panthers they need. The battle between Kikau and the Panthers second row could be a big part of the impact the Bulldogs have. Panthers by 8.

1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Paul Alamoti 4. Taylan May 5. Brian To'o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Luke Garner 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Jack Cole 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Liam Henry 17. Mavrik Geyer 19. Matt Eisenhuth

22. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Drew Hutchison 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 15. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jaeman Salmon 13. Kurt Mann 10. Josh Curran 14. Bailey Hayward 16. Kurtis Morrin 17. Jacob Preston 1. Blake Taaffe

Referees: Liam Kennedy; Sideline Officials: Drew Oultram, Wyatt Raymond; Video Referees: Kasey Badger;

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