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Panthers v Devils: Cole into halves; Gamble late withdrawal

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For the first time since 2019 the NRL State Championship returns to form part of Grand Final day, after COVID-19 restrictions prevented the game from taking place over the past two seasons. 

This year will see the Penrith reserve-grade side try and open the day with a win for the club, before their NRL side plays later that night, while the Norths Devils get a chance to claim another accolade in what has been a dominant 24 months for the club, which has seen them win back-to-back Queensland titles. 

The Panthers have appeared in the NRL State Championship on two prior occasions and won it in 2017, while Norths will be playing in the interstate game for the first time. 

While the Queensland champions won the first two editions of the match, New South Wales side have won the last four. 

The Rundown

Team news

Panthers: No late changes for the NSW champions. Sean O'Sullivan is out due to being on replacement player duty for Penrith's NRL side, which means Jack Cole shifts to the halves, with Thomas Jennings joining the squad at centre. Luke Sommerton replaces Alec Susino on the interchange. Mavrik Geyer is 18th Man.

Devils: A big blow an hour from kick-off, with halfback Tyson Gamble out of the squad. His spot is taken by captain Jack Ahearn, whose place at fullback will now be filled by Matthew Milson. Rashaun Denny is back in the squad on the wing. Jerome Veve starts at prop, with Tuipulotu Puliuvea reverting to the bench. Two-try Grand Final hero Brayden McGrady is out after dislocating his elbow in the act of scoring the winning try last week. 

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Isaiah Iongi
    Fullback for Devils is number 5 Matthew Milson
  • Winger for Panthers is number 2 Christian Crichton
    Winger for Devils is number 2 Rashaun Denny
  • Centre for Panthers is number 3 Robert Jennings
    Centre for Devils is number 3 Jacob Gagan
  • Centre for Panthers is number 4 Thomas Jenkins
    Centre for Devils is number 4 Tony Tumusa
  • Winger for Panthers is number 5 Sunia Turuva
    Winger for Devils is number 19 Jayden Corrigan
  • Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Jack Cole
    Five-Eighth for Devils is number 6 Connor  Broadhurst
  • Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Kurt Falls
    Halfback for Devils is number 1 Jack Ahearn

Forwards

  • Prop for Panthers is number 8 Lindsay Smith
    Prop for Devils is number 10 Jayden Stephens
  • Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Soni Luke
    Hooker for Devils is number 9 Kierran Moseley
  • Prop for Panthers is number 10 Matthew Eisenhuth
    Prop for Devils is number 16 Jerome Veve
  • 2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Preston Riki
    2nd Row for Devils is number 11 Brendan Piakura
  • 2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Chris Smith
    2nd Row for Devils is number 12 Leivaha Pulu
  • Lock for Panthers is number 13 J'maine Hopgood
    Lock for Devils is number 13 Michael Sio

Interchange

  • Interchange for Panthers is number 14 Luke Sommerton
    Interchange for Devils is number 8 Viko Puliuvea
  • Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Eddie Blacker
    Interchange for Devils is number 14 Liam Horne
  • Interchange for Panthers is number 16 Liam Henry
    Interchange for Devils is number 17 Sam Lavea
  • Interchange for Panthers is number 22 John Faiumu
    Interchange for Devils is number 20 Lloyd Perrett

Reserves

  • Replacement for Panthers is number 18 Mavrik Geyer
    Replacement for Devils is number 18 Moses Noovao-McGreal 

Match Officials

  • Referee: Darian Furner
  • Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Last updated:

Key match-up

Kurt Falls v Jack Ahearn: These two will be the chief playmakers come Sunday. Coming into this game Falls has set up 16 tries in as many games in the NSW Cup, while he's also laid on nine line-break assists. His role is even more crucial now that Sean O'Sullivan is out. Ahearn meanwhile continues to star at the back for the Devils and this year was directly involved in 26 tries, setting up 20 and scoring a further six himself.

Stat Attack

While the Panthers dominated many of the key stat categories through the 2022 season on their way to the title, that wasn't the case for the Devils, who weren't the regular season standouts before turning it on come playoff time. While they were pipped to the minor premiership by a point, Penrith had the best attacking and defensive record in the competition and completed at a better rate than any other side. The Devils on the other hand finished the normal season with the seventh-best attack and were the fifth-worst side in the competition in terms of defensive records, leaking 24 points per game on average.   

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