After a week off, the Panthers are ready to end their two-game losing streak when they take on the Wests Tigers in Bathurst.
Penrith’s Round 6 bye certainly came at a good time, as they had just lost to the Sea Eagles and were beginning to show some signs of a mounting injury toll.
Key forward Scott Sorensen is back, but halfback Nathan Cleary is still out, and the week off will have helped his five-eighth-century limp. No harm, Jarome Luai.
In contrast, last week’s loss to the Dragons saw Wests Tigers fail to score more than 17 points for the fourth time in five games this season. As a result, Benji Marshall’s team may soon lose much of the positive momentum that followed their back-to-back victories in Rounds 3 and 4.
The Wests Tigers have a favorable record against Ivan Cleary’s heavyweights, even if they have finished behind the Panthers in the last few seasons. They have won two of their last four games against Penrith, including their lone encounter last year.
Panthers: Paul Alamoti is summoned into the center to replace Taylan May, who is out due to a personal problem. After the bye, Jarome Luai (knee) is cleared to play and will team up with Brad Schneider in the second half. Luke Garner returns to the bench and Matt Eisenhuth is placed on the reserve roster as a result of Scott Sorensen’s knee injury recovery.
Wests Tigers: Brent Naden joins the backline in place of Solomona Faataape in the centers, and young gun Lachlan Galvin makes his comeback from suspension at five-eighth. With John Bateman back in the lineup following his concussion, Alex Seyfarth moves to the bench. In order to create room for Justin Matamua and Jake Simpkin, Samuela Fainu (concussion) and Latu Fainu (hamstring) also return to the sidelines.
