Panthers v Bulldogs: Cleary good to go; Connor comes in

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Fri 10 May 2024, 05:19 PM

A pair of Bulldogs stars are preparing to return to Penrith for the first time while the Panthers look set to welcome back Nathan Cleary for Friday night's clash.

The halfback sat out last week's win over the South Sydney Rabbitohs for precautionary reasons, having made his return from a hamstring injury five days earlier.

Cleary had earlier missed three games after picking up the injury in round three.

The Panthers did not miss a beat without their halfback, convincingly defeating Souths, and they are eager to continue a three-week winning streak.

The defending premiers will take on a number of familiar faces at BlueBet Stadium on Friday night as a host of ex-Panthers players return to Penrith.

Bulldogs captain Stephen Crichton and edge forward Viliame Kikau will play their first game against their former club in what is sure to be a hotly contested affair. Matt Burton and Jaeman Salmon will also take on their old club.

Canterbury have soared into the top eight with a series of impressive performances under the tutelage of former Penrith assistant coach Cameron Ciraldo.

The Bulldogs claimed back-to-back wins for the first time in more than a year with a come-from-behind victory over the Wests Tigers on Saturday.

Forward Jacob Preston is set to play a bigger role on Friday after spending 80 minutes on the bench last weekend in his first week back from a fractured jaw.

The Bulldogs are also hopeful Connor Tracey will be available after he was a late withdrawal from Saturday's game with a quad injury.

Team News

Panthers: The premiers will take the field 1-17 with no late changes. Skipper Nathan Cleary returns from a hamstring injury but centre Izack Tago is out with suspension. Paul Alamoti comes into the centre position for his third game of the season. Liam Henry comes back in on the interchange after missing Round 9.

Bulldogs: A late change sees Connor Tracey join the side at fullback after overcoming a quad injury that sidelined him last week. Blake Taaffe reverts to 18th man. Sam Hughes and Josh Curran have also switched on game day with Hughes joining the starting side as they did in Round 9.

Round 10 - Round 10 - Friday 10 May

Full Time

Panthers

Bulldogs

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan Edwards

Fullback for Bulldogs is number 22 Connor Tracey
Winger for Panthers is number 2 Sunia Turuva

Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jacob Kiraz
Centre for Panthers is number 3 Paul Alamoti

Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Bronson Xerri
Centre for Panthers is number 4 Taylan May

Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Stephen Crichton
Winger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'o

Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Josh Addo-Carr
Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Jarome Luai

Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt Burton
Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Nathan Cleary

Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Drew Hutchison

Forwards

Prop for Panthers is number 8 Moses Leota

Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Max King
Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Mitch Kenny

Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Reed Mahoney
Prop for Panthers is number 10 James Fisher-Harris

Prop for Bulldogs is number 15 Samuel Hughes
2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Luke Garner

2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Viliame Kikau
2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Liam Martin

2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jaeman Salmon
Lock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah Yeo

Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Kurt Mann

Interchange

Interchange for Panthers is number 14 Jack Cole

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 10 Josh Curran
Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Lindsay Smith

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Bailey Hayward
Interchange for Panthers is number 16 Liam Henry

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Kurtis Morrin
Interchange for Panthers is number 17 Mavrik Geyer

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Jacob Preston