Two premiership contenders are set for an early showdown when the NRL descends on western NSW this weekend.
The Penrith Panthers will host the Cronulla Sharks at Carrington Park in Bathurst on Saturday night, with both sides riding high after dominant Round 1 victories.
The Panthers avenged last year’s preliminary final defeat to the Broncos, while the Sharks dispatched the Titans at Ocean Protect Stadium.
Penrith have invested heavily in their pathways west of the Blue Mountains and Saturday’s game provides a chance for residents of the regional town to witness firsthand the club’s stars in action.
Bathurst has not always been a happy hunting ground for the Panthers. Ivan Cleary’s men hit rock bottom at Carrington Park last season when they suffered an insipid 25-6 loss to Newcastle and slumped to last on the ladder.
The defeat triggered a remarkable turnaround that ended in preliminary final heartbreak at Suncorp Stadium.ย
Penrith players have vowed to avoid a repeat this weekend but they will have to be on their game to subdue a red-hot Cronulla outfit.
Braydon Trindall, a western NSW product, and Bathurst junior Will Kennedy were outstanding in the Sharks’ win over the Titans and will look to recreate the performance against the Panthers.
Trindall’s combination with Nicho Hynes continues to develop and prop Addin Fonua-Blake is ready for another one-on-one battle with Penrith big man Moses Leota.
Team News
Panthers:ย Star back-rower Liam Martin remains sidelined with a calf injury so Ivan Cleary goes with the same 19-man squad that ambushed the Broncos in Round 1. After being named in No.18 last week and getting a late call-up to the starting side, Thomas Jenkins retains his place and has been named on the wing. Paul Alamoti moves into the centres.
Sharks:ย Craig Fitzgibbon sticks with the proven formula from last week and goes with the same 19-man squad for the trip to Bathurst. With Teig Wilton (shoulder) still sidelined the back row again features Billy Burns, Briton Nikora and Jesse Colquhoun.ย
Stat Attack
- The Panthers have won nine of their past 10 games against the Sharks.
- No Sharks player has played previously at Carrington Park in Bathurst.
- The Panthers have won only three of their last seven games in Bathurst.
- The Sharks have failed to score three times in their last seven games against the Panthers.
- The Panthers have not won their opening two games since 2022.
