The Penrith Panthers aim to rebound against a resurgent Manly Sea Eagles team after a surprising 22-10 defeat to St George Illawarra exposed some rare weaknesses in the reigning premiers. The Panthers were notably affected by the absence of key players like Dylan Edwards, Brian To’o, Jarome Luai, and Isaah Yeo, whose voids were felt deeply in their backline, despite strong performances from their forwards.
In positive news for Penrith, these crucial players are set for a comeback, with Yeo, To’o, Luai, and Liam Martin all named in the starting 17. Edwards is also included in the reserves, as the team keeps an eye on his recovery from a quad injury. Interestingly, Jack Cole has kept his place as Luai’s halves partner over Brad Schneider, while Trent Toelau continues as the preferred number 14. Additionally, Luke Garner is back from a leg injury on the bench, and prop Moses Leota is slated to play despite a hamstring issue from Round 13.
Manly, on the other hand, enters this match fresh off a bye week, still riding high from their impressive 26-20 victory over Melbourne in Round 12. Standout performances from Tommy Talau, Ben Trbojevic, and Daly Cherry-Evans were pivotal in that game, and the Sea Eagles’ fans are eager for a repeat against another top-tier team.
Manly’s lineup will feature their three Origin stars—Cherry-Evans, Jake Trbojevic, and Haumole Olakau’atu—who have all been named to back up. Lehi Hopoate retains his spot at fullback following a stellar debut against the Storm, despite the return of Tolutau Koula. New signing Jake Simpkin might make his club debut soon after joining from the Tigers, although he’s currently on the extended bench.
The Sea Eagles’ earlier win over Penrith in Round 5 was seen as a turning point for both teams, but since then, the Panthers have posted a 5-2 record, while Manly has a more modest 3-3-1. Nevertheless, that victory marked Manly’s first over Penrith since 2018 and could serve as a catalyst for another successful outing.
For Penrith, defense will be paramount. They boast the league’s best defense, conceding just 15 points per game. However, Manly’s offense is formidable, averaging 25 points per game this season. To secure a win, Penrith will likely need to hold Manly to under 20 points.
Jarome Luai’s performance at halfback has been exceptional for the Panthers. In his nine games at five-eighth, he recorded just one try and three try assists, but in two games as the number 7, he has already achieved two tries and two assists. His kicking game against the Sharks was outstanding, and his ability to engage the line remains a dynamic asset. Luai is currently in peak form, and another top-tier performance from him could significantly boost Penrith’s chances.
For Manly, the hope lies in Lehi Hopoate replicating his impressive debut against Melbourne. The 19-year-old amassed 132 meters, four tackle breaks, and a try assist, contributing significantly to their unexpected victory. While Manly has bigger stars on the field, consistent performances from the fullback position are crucial for maintaining their finals aspirations.
As for predictions, Penrith is favored to win, provided all players come through unscathed after Origin duties. Despite this, there’s a sense of an upset brewing. Reflecting on last weekend’s events and perhaps with a bit of skepticism towards the Panthers, there’s a growing belief in Manly’s potential to edge out a victory. The prediction here is a narrow win for the Sea Eagles by 4 points.
