Panthers look to bounce back against Sea Eagles side gaining altitude

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Penrith Panthers v Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles Sunday 4:05pm at BlueBet Stadium, Penrith / Dharug

The Panthers will look to show they are still a step above the rest of the NRL when they take on a Sea Eagles side that's been hot and cold to start 2024.

The 22-10 loss to St George Illawarra last week showed a side of Penrith we haven't seen in a while - a little bit of vulnerability when they're reduced to their depth stocks. As good as their forwards were, the loss of Dylan Edwards, Brian To'o, Jarome Luai and Isaah Yeo had a noticeable impact on their backline who were unable to have the impact typically seen.

The good news is they could all be back - Yeo, To'o, Luai and Liam Martin named in the starting 17 while Edwards is in the reserves as the team monitors his recovery from a quad injury. Curiously Jack Cole has retained his spot as Luai's halves partner despite the return of Brad Schneider, while Trent Toelau remains the preferred option at number 14. Additionally Luke Garner returns from a leg injury on the bench and prop Moses Leota has been named despite suffering a hamstring injury in Round 13.

Manly meanwhile are coming off the bye, still beaming after their 26-20 win over Melbourne in Round 12. Tommy Talau, Ben Trbojevic and Daly Cherry-Evans were the stars of the show, and the Sea Eagles faithful will be looking for an encore against another premiership contender.

Manly's three origin stars - Cherry-Evans, Jake Trbojevic and Haumole Olakau'atu - have all been named to back up. Lehi Hopoate has been retained at fullback after a stellar debut against the Storm despite the return of Tolutau Koula. . New signing Jake Simpkin could make his club debut less than a week after joining from the Tigers, but for now he's been given a place on the extended bench.

Manly's win over Penrith in Round 5 was thought to have been a watershed moment in both clubs season, but it's been business as usual since that point - the Panthers have gone 5-2 since that game while Manly are a much more modest 3-3-1. Still, it was the Sea Eagles first win over the Panthers since 2018 and should serve as a catalyst as they search for another.

Penrith's defence will be the key in this one. As has been the case recently, they lead the league having conceded just 15 points per game. But Manly's attack certainly isn't anything to sneeze at, having scored 25 per game this season. If Penrith want to win, they will likely need to restrict the Sea Eagles to under 20.

Last meeting: Round 5 2024 - Sea Eagles 32 Panthers 18

Who to watch: 

Jarome Luai has been phenomenal at halfback for the Panthers so far, and the team will be hoping he has another great performance in this one. In his 9 games at five-eighth he had just one try and 3 try assists, but in just two games in the number 7 jersey he has 2 and 2. His kicking game against the Sharks was nothing short of perfect, and his ability to engage the line has continued to prove dynamic. He is in career best form at the moment, and if he can deliver another 10/10 performance against Manly it will go a long way to a win for Penrith.

Manly will be hoping Lehi Hopoate can have an encore performance of his magic debut against Melbourne. The 19 year old had 132 metres, 4 tackle breaks and a try assist as he helped the team to an unlikely victory. While Manly have bigger stars on the field than Hopoate, getting consistent performance from the fullback position is what they need to ensure they remain in the finals race.

The favourite: Assuming everyone pulls up after Origin, Penrith are the favourites in this one.

My tip: Maybe it's what I saw last weekend. Maybe it's some anti-Panthers copium. Maybe I've gotten back on the Seibs Juice. But I smell an upset here. Manly by 4.

1. Daine Laurie 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Brian To'o 6. Jack Cole 7. Jarome Luai 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Scott Sorensen 17. Luke Garner 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Trent Toelau 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Liam Henry 20. Matt Eisenhuth 22. Preston Riki

1. Lehi Hopoate 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Tommy Talau 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Karl Lawton 10. Josh Aloiai 11. Haumole Olakau'atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Gordon Chan Kum Tong 15. Corey Waddell 16. Toafofoa Sipley 17. Nathan Brown 18. Raymond Tuiamalo Vaega

Referees: Gerard Sutton; Sideline Officials: Liam Kennedy, Wyatt Raymond; Video Referees: Chris Butler;