The Dyldam Parramatta Eels take on the Penrith Panthers this Sunday afternoon (3 April) at ANZ Stadium for their Round Five clash of the NRL Telstra Premiership.
After a gritty 8-0 victory over the Wests Tigers last week, the Eels will enter Sunday afternoon’s clash looking for their fourth victory of the season.
Eels Head Coach Brad Arthur had named an unchanged line up earlier in the week, however the latest Eels injury and unavailable list has ruled out Club Captain and forward Tim Mannah from the side due to a fractured shoulder blade.
Mannah will be replaced by either prop Peni Terepo or Danny Wicks who will move from the extended bench into the starting side.
Eels second-rower Manu Ma’u was also cleared this week for a dangerous contact charge at the NRL judiciary and is free to play against the Panthers.
For the Penrith Panthers, they welcome back captain Matt Moylan for the first time since suffering a season ending ankle injury against the Eels, suffered in Round 12, 2015. Moylan replaces Will Smith at fullback in the only change to the 17, although Elijah Taylor and Jeremy Latimore have been added to an extended bench.
The Battle of the West always proves to be an exciting and high scoring affair. The Blue and Gold hold a decisive lead in the head to head stakes, winning 55 of 91 games, including 13 wins from 23 games played at Pirtek Stadium.
Whilst the Eels came away with two wins over the men from the foot of the mountains last year, a 26-20 victory at Pepper Stadium followed by a defensive 10-4 victory at Darwin’s TIO Stadium, the Panthers have managed six wins from their past nine games at Pirtek Stadium.
The game shown live on Channel 9 and Fox Sports 1.
The Eels kick off against the Panthers in the final Battle of the West before the redevelopment of Pirtek Stadium at 4pm on Sunday, April 3. Family General Admission tickets are just $40*, click through to secure your seats!
ROUND FIVE GAME DAY INFO
Match Details: Dyldam Parramatta Eels v Penrith Panthers at Pirtek Stadium on Sunday 3 April. Kick off at 4:00pm.
Televised: Channel 9 Live Coverage from 3:30pm, Fox Sports 1 Live Coverage from 4pm.
The History: Played 91; Eels 55, Panthers 35, Drawn 1. The Eels have got the chocolates in the past two meetings between these two clubs but Penrith have six of the last 10 results overall – with five wins from their past seven visits to Pirtek.
Eels Squad:
1. Michael Gordon 2. Semi Radradra 3. Michael Jennings 4. Brad Takairangi 5. Clinton Gutherson 6. Corey Norman 7. Kieran Foran (c) 8. Junior Paulo 9. Isaac De Gois 10. Tim Mannah 11. Manu Ma’u 12. Beau Scott 13. Tepai Moeroa
Interchange: 14. Kaysa Pritchard 15. Peni Terepo 16. Danny Wicks 17. Kenny Edwards 18. David Gower
Penrith Panthers Squad:
1. Matt Moylan 2. Josh Mansour 3. Waqa Blake 4. Peta Hiku 5. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Jamie Soward 8. Sam McKendry 9. Peter Wallace 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Bryce Cartwright 12. Isaah Yeo 13. Trent Merrin
Interchange: 14. Tyrone Peach 15. Lelani Latu 16. Suaia Matagi 17. James Fisher-Harris 20. Elijah Taylor 21. Jeremy Latimore
Match Officials:
Referee: Grant Atkins. Assistant referee: Alan Shortall. Sideline officials: Jeff Younis and Shane Rehm. Review Officials: Ben Galea and Jason Robinson. Senior RO: Bernard Sutton.
