There's no shame in losing to the Melbourne Storm, but the Panthers barely even fired a shot in last week's humbling at Bathurst.
They didn't offer much offensive variation against arguably the NRL's supreme defensive side and Ivan Cleary should've had a few more plans up his sleeve at half-time after it became apparent what they were doing wasn't working.
But it's only found four and time is on Cleary's side for now.
After turning heads with two straight wins to start the season, the Tigers didn't turn up against the Bulldogs and paid the price.
Friday night's meeting at Panthers Stadium is a toss-up.
Match: Panthers v Wests Tigers
Round 4 -
home Team
Panthers
11th Position
away Team
Wests Tigers
6th Position
Venue: BlueBet Stadium, Penrith
The Rundown
Team news
Panthers: In a late change, Frank Winterstein will start the match in the seconf-row with the returning Viliame Kikau (knee) to come off the interchange bench. Liam Martin and Malakai Watene-Zelezniak were the two players left out an hour before kick-off. Josh Mansour has overcome an AC joint injury. Isaah Yeo will play following concussion issues. Tim Grant and utility half Jarome Luai were omitted from the team at the 24-hour mark. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak will play his 100th NRL game.
Wests Tigers: Matt Eisenhuth moves from the reserves list and onto the interchange bench. Paul Momirovski and Chris McQueen were the two players dropped an hour from game time. Luke Garner will play despite a shoulder injury suffered in last Sunday's loss to the Bulldogs. Thomas Mikaele was dropped on Thursday. Michael Maguire holds a 6-1 record coaching against Ivan Cleary.
Match: Panthers v Wests Tigers
Round 4 -
home Team
Panthers
away Team
Wests Tigers
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan EdwardsFullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Moses Mbye
-
Winger for Panthers is number 2 Josh MansourWinger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Mahe Fonua
-
Centre for Panthers is number 3 Dean WhareCentre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Robert Jennings
-
Centre for Panthers is number 4 Waqa BlakeCentre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Esan Marsters
-
Winger for Panthers is number 5 Dallin Watene-ZelezniakWinger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Corey Thompson
-
Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 James MaloneyFive-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Josh Reynolds
-
Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Nathan ClearyHalfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Luke Brooks
Forwards
-
Prop for Panthers is number 8 James TamouProp for Wests Tigers is number 8 Ben Matulino
-
Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Sione KatoaHooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Robbie Farah
-
Prop for Panthers is number 10 Reagan Campbell-GillardProp for Wests Tigers is number 10 Alex Twal
-
2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Isaah Yeo2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Ryan Matterson
-
2nd Row for Panthers is number 15 Frank Winterstein2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Luke Garner
-
Lock for Panthers is number 13 James Fisher-HarrisLock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Elijah Taylor
Interchange
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 11 Viliame KikauInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Russell Packer
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 14 Wayde EganInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Josh Aloiai
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 16 Moses LeotaInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Michael Chee Kam
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 17 Hame SeleInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 19 Matthew Eisenhuth
Match Officials
- Referee: Gerard Sutton
- Referee: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Touch Judge: Todd Smith
- Touch Judge: Kasey Badger
- Senior Review Official: Steve Chiddy
Last updated:
Key match-up
The playmakers will feature prominently in this clash, particularly opposing five-eighths James Maloney and the returning Josh Reynolds. Maloney is renowned for bouncing back with a big game after a loss, while Reynolds has a chance to re-establish himself as a first-grade regular.
For the Panthers to win
Conditions weren't ideal at Bathurst on Saturday night but it was the same for both teams and the Panthers didn't aim up. They need to cut down the mistakes (17 against Melbourne) and avoid a repeat of their horrible 58% completion rate.
For the Tigers to win
Moses Mybe and Luke Brooks will be keen to make up for ordinary performances last weekend, as will a few other players. Defensively, the Tigers should borrow from the Storm playbook and try to frustrate the Panthers out of the game.
Brett Kimmorley says
A lot of attention on Ivan Cleary. On the bus. Off the bus. Back on the bus. Both teams were bad in round three. For Penrith, it is about Nathan Cleary getting some game control. Let’s see some shape from Penrith. For the Tigers, I imagine their forwards will reply after the serving they got last week. Pride usually dictates that will happen. They also need to start scoring tries that aren’t from kicks. Panthers by 2
Panthers Stat Attack
Dylan Edwards has more negative plays (8) than any NRL player, while Maloney leads the line engaged category (29) and is converting goal attempts at a perfect 100%.
Tigers Stat Attack
The Tigers are tops among teams in runs (587) and run metres (5,022), receipts (1,339) and total kicks (71).
And another thing ...
Ivan Cleary gives little away with his words and rarely changes his expression, so it'll be hard to tell if he'll be nervous about facing his former team for the first time or treating it like any other game. Bottom line, Cleary knows it's all about wins and losses, but you'd have to think this game carries a little extra meaning.
