Panthers navigate key player availability
The Penrith Panthers are managing player availability ahead of their Round 24 NRL Telstra Premiership clash against the Roosters. Coach Ivan Cleary is monitoring fullback Dylan Edwards, who has been sidelined for three games due to a shoulder injury. Edwards was included in the extended squad on Tuesday, with Cleary noting on Wednesday that he is a possibility for the game. Should Edwards not be cleared to play, Jaxen Edgar is slated to wear the number one jersey.
In another development for the Panthers, five-eighth Jack Cogger missed last week’s trip to Auckland to remain in Sydney with his pregnant wife. The birth of his child is still awaited, leading Cleary to have Jack Cole on standby. Cleary acknowledged the personal situation, stating that some matters are more significant than football. The team will also see a change in the forward pack due to the absence of Isaah Yeo, who is out with a pectoral injury. This shift will see Lindsay Smith move to lock, and Liam Henry will join the starting front row.
Roosters await Tedesco’s return
The Roosters are also facing uncertainty regarding the return of their captain, James Tedesco. Tedesco is working to overcome an ankle injury and needs to complete final preparations to be cleared for the upcoming match. Coach Trent Robinson indicated on Wednesday that Tedesco was at approximately 50% during Tuesday’s session, with a final assessment scheduled for Wednesday. If Tedesco is unable to play, Cody Ramsey is prepared to step in at fullback.
The highly anticipated match between the Panthers and the Roosters is scheduled for Thursday at 7:50 PM at CommBank Stadium. This fixture is a top-of-the-table clash, adding further significance to the player availability decisions for both teams. The match officials for this game will be referee Adam Gee, touch judges Phil Henderson and Matt Noyen, and senior review official Ashley Klein.
Other Round 24 fixtures and team news
Beyond the Panthers-Roosters encounter, Round 24 of the NRL Telstra Premiership features other significant matchups. The Sea Eagles will host the Dolphins on Friday at 6:00 PM at 4 Pines Park. For the Sea Eagles, Clayton Faulalo will fill the fullback position as Tom Trbojevic remains unavailable due to a hamstring injury.
The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup Round 24 also commences with two Friday night games starting from 5:30 PM. These include the Penrith Panthers against the Sydney Roosters, and the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs facing the South Sydney Rabbitohs. The weekend will feature double-headers on both Saturday and Sunday, as teams compete for a spot in the top five with three rounds remaining before the finals. All games from The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup will be broadcast live on BarTV Sports.
The Panthers’ lineup for their clash against the Roosters includes Jaxen Edgar at fullback, Thomas Jenkins and Brian To’o on the wings, and Paul Alamoti and Izack Tago in the centres. Jack Cogger is named at five-eighth, with Nathan Cleary at halfback. The forward pack features Moses Leota and Liam Henry as props, Freddy Lussick at hooker, Isaiah Papali’i and Liam Martin in the second row, and Lindsay Smith at lock. The interchange bench includes Billy Scott, Scott Sorensen, Luron Patea, and Billy Phillips, with Jack Cole and Blaize Talagi as additional interchange options. Reserves for the Panthers are Dylan Edwards, Jesse McLean, and Kalani Leuluai-Going.
The Roosters’ team list for the same fixture has James Tedesco at fullback, with Billy Smith and Mark Nawaqanitawase on the wings. Hugo Savala and Robert Toia are named in the centres. Daly Cherry-Evans is at five-eighth, and Sam Walker is at halfback. In the forwards, Naufahu Whyte and Spencer Leniu are the props, Reece Robson is at hooker, Salesi Foketi and Siua Wong are in the second row, and Victor Radley is at lock. The interchange players are Connor Watson, Lindsay Collins, Nat Butcher, and Egan Butcher. Additional interchange options include Cody Ramsey and Tommy Talau. The reserves for the Roosters are Rex Bassingthwaighte, Benaiah Ioelu, and Taylor Losalu.
The Sea Eagles’ starting lineup for their game against the Dolphins features Clayton Faulalo at fullback, Jason Saab and Lehi Hopoate on the wings, and Tolutau Koula and Reuben Garrick in the centres. Joey Walsh is at five-eighth, with Jamal Fogarty at halfback. The forward pack includes props Simione Laiafi and Nathan Brown, hooker Brandon Wakeham, second-rowers Haumole Olakau’atu and Corey Waddell, and lock Jake Trbojevic. The interchange bench consists of Jake Simpkin, Nicholas Lenaz, Fletcher Baker, and Jackson Shereb, with Josh Feledy and Hugo Hart as additional interchange players. Reserves are Onitoni Large, Caleb Navale, and Blake Wilson.
For the Dolphins, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is at fullback, with Jamayne Isaako and Selwyn Cobbo on the wings. Jack Bostock and Herbie Farnworth are in the centres. Kodi Nikorima is at five-eighth, and Isaiya Katoa is at halfback. The forward pack includes props Thomas Flegler and Francis Molo, hooker Jeremy Marshall-King, second-rowers Connelly Lemuelu and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, and lock Morgan Knowles. The interchange players are Max Plath, Ray Stone, Tom Gilbert, and Felise Kaufusi, with Bradley Schneider and Jake Averillo as additional interchange options. Reserves for the Dolphins are Sebastian Su’a, Tevita Naufahu, and Brian Pouniu.
The match officials for the Sea Eagles versus Dolphins game are referee Grant Atkins, touch judge Dave Munro, and senior review official Wyatt Raymond.
Source: nrl.com
