ssar
Bencher
From sportal.com.au:
"Preview: Panthers v Sea Eagles
Scott Brooks, Sportal
VENUE & TIME: CUA Stadium, Saturday June 13, 7.30pm (AEST).
COVERAGE: Fox Sports
LAST TIME: Panthers 12 - Sea Eagles 10 at Brookvale Oval, Round 3 2008.
WALKING WOUNDED: Panthers and NSW Origin utility Luke Lewis is hopeful a broken toe suffered against the Tigers last Friday night will keep him out for only three weeks, despite initially being ruled out for up to two months. He joins fellow Origin star Michael Jennings (calf) and winger Michael Gordon (ankle) on the sidelines.
Centre Jamie Lyon has been named in an unchanged Sea Eagles line-up despite leaving the field early against the Roosters last weekend with an ankle problem.
FORM: A late rally ensured the Panthers returned to the winners' circle last Friday night when they took care of the Tigers 26-10 at Leichhardt Oval. A strong forward performance paved the way for the likes of crafty half-back Luke Walsh to run riot late in the game, giving the Panthers some breathing space in the bottom half of the top-eight.
The Sea Eagles were given a tough ride for almost an hour of their game against the Roosters on Saturday night, but class took over late in the match as Manly's big guns assumed control. It was a crucial result in terms of the Sea Eagles' finals aspirations, considering they are still four-points shy of eighth position.
WHO'S HOT: Panthers forward Trent Waterhouse continues to do all the right things as he attempts to become part of the NSW Origin framework for the return bout in Sydney. The former Test back-rower was the most effective forward on the paddock against the Tigers, leading the way for his side in hit-ups, metres-gained and tackles made.
One of Waterhouse's chief rivals for a Blues back-row position is the Sea Eagles' Anthony Watmough who made several damaging runs to help his team emerge from a mid-game rut against the Roosters. 'Choc' split the Chooks' flimsy right-side defence on a couple of occasions and a scored a try to yet again put his name up in lights.
WE THINK: It will be interesting to see the Panthers take to the field in an all-pink strip on Saturday night as they aim to raise money for breast cancer support. The change from black to pink is a big one, but if their playing style and intensity of the last two months remains intact then the boys from the foot of the mountains should pack enough punch to make it seven wins from their last nine encounters at home against Manly. The battle of the forward packs should be intense and this is where the Panthers may just hold a slight advantage. Panthers by 4."
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And from Joey's predictions on one of those big media websites:
"PENRITH v MANLY:
Panthers:
Still without Jennings and now Lewis has a broken toe and is out so the Panthers lose a lot of strike-power with those two missing. Wasn’t overly impressed with their win over Tigers but are always hard to beat at home.
Eagles:
Not there yet but getting back to the sort of form we have come to expect from the Eagles. Big game for the likes of Brent Kite, Josh Perry, Anthony Watmough and the Wolfman Williams. They need to keep the roll going.
Verdict:
Penrith fell over the line against the Tigers in a game I didn’t think either side wanted to win. Manly here."
---
I am personally worried about this game for our boys - the Panthers have been doing more things right on the field more often, over the past 1-2 months.
But our boys can do it, if they fire up and link together lots of good set completions and backline swing plays.
This would be a good win under our belt on our quest to make the top 8 this year, I'll be putting a couple of bets on Manly but still undecided on who I'm actually going to tip..
"Preview: Panthers v Sea Eagles
Scott Brooks, Sportal
VENUE & TIME: CUA Stadium, Saturday June 13, 7.30pm (AEST).
COVERAGE: Fox Sports
LAST TIME: Panthers 12 - Sea Eagles 10 at Brookvale Oval, Round 3 2008.
WALKING WOUNDED: Panthers and NSW Origin utility Luke Lewis is hopeful a broken toe suffered against the Tigers last Friday night will keep him out for only three weeks, despite initially being ruled out for up to two months. He joins fellow Origin star Michael Jennings (calf) and winger Michael Gordon (ankle) on the sidelines.
Centre Jamie Lyon has been named in an unchanged Sea Eagles line-up despite leaving the field early against the Roosters last weekend with an ankle problem.
FORM: A late rally ensured the Panthers returned to the winners' circle last Friday night when they took care of the Tigers 26-10 at Leichhardt Oval. A strong forward performance paved the way for the likes of crafty half-back Luke Walsh to run riot late in the game, giving the Panthers some breathing space in the bottom half of the top-eight.
The Sea Eagles were given a tough ride for almost an hour of their game against the Roosters on Saturday night, but class took over late in the match as Manly's big guns assumed control. It was a crucial result in terms of the Sea Eagles' finals aspirations, considering they are still four-points shy of eighth position.
WHO'S HOT: Panthers forward Trent Waterhouse continues to do all the right things as he attempts to become part of the NSW Origin framework for the return bout in Sydney. The former Test back-rower was the most effective forward on the paddock against the Tigers, leading the way for his side in hit-ups, metres-gained and tackles made.
One of Waterhouse's chief rivals for a Blues back-row position is the Sea Eagles' Anthony Watmough who made several damaging runs to help his team emerge from a mid-game rut against the Roosters. 'Choc' split the Chooks' flimsy right-side defence on a couple of occasions and a scored a try to yet again put his name up in lights.
WE THINK: It will be interesting to see the Panthers take to the field in an all-pink strip on Saturday night as they aim to raise money for breast cancer support. The change from black to pink is a big one, but if their playing style and intensity of the last two months remains intact then the boys from the foot of the mountains should pack enough punch to make it seven wins from their last nine encounters at home against Manly. The battle of the forward packs should be intense and this is where the Panthers may just hold a slight advantage. Panthers by 4."
---
And from Joey's predictions on one of those big media websites:
"PENRITH v MANLY:
Panthers:
Still without Jennings and now Lewis has a broken toe and is out so the Panthers lose a lot of strike-power with those two missing. Wasn’t overly impressed with their win over Tigers but are always hard to beat at home.
Eagles:
Not there yet but getting back to the sort of form we have come to expect from the Eagles. Big game for the likes of Brent Kite, Josh Perry, Anthony Watmough and the Wolfman Williams. They need to keep the roll going.
Verdict:
Penrith fell over the line against the Tigers in a game I didn’t think either side wanted to win. Manly here."
---
I am personally worried about this game for our boys - the Panthers have been doing more things right on the field more often, over the past 1-2 months.
But our boys can do it, if they fire up and link together lots of good set completions and backline swing plays.
This would be a good win under our belt on our quest to make the top 8 this year, I'll be putting a couple of bets on Manly but still undecided on who I'm actually going to tip..