Stephen Crichton and the Canterbury Bulldogs host a new look Penrith Panthers side with 16 changes for their clash at Accor Stadium.
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MATCH CENTRE: Bulldogs vs Panthers teams, scores, videos, updates
The Bulldogs will resist the urge to rest players after seeing the Panthers’ line-up and are expected to be 1-17.
Coach Ivan Cleary has explained the reasoning behind his decision to rest 16 of the 17 players who took part in last week’s loss to Canberra. “Every decision that I kind of make in my job has a lot of different ramifications,” Cleary said. “They’re not easy, but some come clearer than others, and this one was fairly clear.”
Viliame Kikau has been hospitalised after succumbing to a skin infection, with Josh Curran the man to slot into the back row. Harry Hayes has also dropped out of the side due to a hamstring injury, with Daniel Suluka-Fifita joining the pine.
Ivan Cleary has rested 16 players this week, with Brad Schneider the only man remaining from the team that went down to the Raiders last week. A host of players get first grade opportunities in the wake of Penrith’s move, with NSW Cup regulars Austin Dias, Luke Sommerton, Austin Dias, Matt Eisenhuth and Mavrik Geyer starting in the forward pack alongside Luron Patea who returned to NSW Cup last week but has featured in first grade this season. Daine Laurie has been named at fullback while Jack Cole and Schneider make up the halves, with Paul Alamoti, who scored a double in last year’s grand final, named on the wing. John Fonua, David Fale, Zac Lipowicz and Billy Phillips will make their NRL debuts while Dias and Riley price make their club debuts in a proud moment for those six players. It’s a bold decision by Cleary, and while pundits and fans may not agree with it, the Panthers coach clearly is focused on winning a fifth-straight premiership. However, Penrith will have to go the long route this time after they dropped out of contention for the top four following their loss to the Raiders. The top four grants teams a double chance, meaning you can lose in the first week and still have an opportunity to proceed to the preliminary finals. While it may not provide the best contest for spectators against a talented Bulldogs side, the next crop of Panthers star could be unearthed in this clash.
TEAMS
Bulldogs team: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerii 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Matt Burton 7. Lachlan Galvin 8. Max King 9. Bailey Hayward 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Josh Curran 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Sitili Tupouniua 16. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 17. Reed Mahoney 19. Enari Tuala 20. Kurtis Morrin
Panthers team: 1. Daine Laurie 2. Jesse McLean 3. Sione Fonua 4. David Fale 5. Paul Alamoti 6. Jack Cole 7. Brad Schneider 8. Luron Patea 9. Luke Sommerton 10. Austin Dias 11. Zac Lipowicz 12. Maverick Geyer 13. Matthew Eisenhuth 14. Soni Luke 15. Preston Riki 16. Riley Price 17. Billy Phillips 18. Billy Scott 22. Jaxen Edgar
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