Centres of attention: Questions hover over star duo
- Author
- Timestamp
Among the unchanged line-ups named by the Panthers and Broncos for Sunday's NRL Telstra Premiership decider, major questions loom over the role and fitness of two players.
After leaving Tuesday's session in Brisbane with hamstring tightness, centre Herbie Farnworth has been named to start but is set to have a disrupted week at training, even if the Broncos believe he is in no doubt to take the field.
His injury scare comes as a direct match-up with Izack Tago – who himself is only one game back from a pectoral injury – awaits at Accor Stadium, with coach Ivan Cleary opting to switch Tago from the left to right edge last week.
That is set to be the case again in the grand final, with Stephen Crichton and Sunia Turuva working well together on the other side.
Tago had some struggles in his return against the Storm, including what he called a "soft" miss on Justin Olam for Melbourne's only try, which could likely be put down to a combination of his pec and the fact that he was playing on the right for the first time in several years.
Justin Olam Try
Farnworth has been a handful for opposing defenders all year – averaging five tackle busts and 167.6 metres per game – and Broncos fans would have been licking their lips at the prospect of him running at a restricted Tago, although the hamstring issue may now turn out to be the great equaliser.
Both sides have been able to maintain settled line-ups through the finals, with the return of Tago and Jarome Luai the only change Penrith made between week one of the finals and last week's preliminary final, and the Broncos set to field the same team for the third game in a row.
Match: Panthers v Broncos
Grand Final -
home Team
Panthers
away Team
Broncos
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan EdwardsFullback for Broncos is number 1 Reece Walsh
-
Winger for Panthers is number 2 Sunia TuruvaWinger for Broncos is number 2 Jesse Arthars
-
Centre for Panthers is number 3 Izack TagoCentre for Broncos is number 3 Kotoni Staggs
-
Centre for Panthers is number 4 Stephen CrichtonCentre for Broncos is number 4 Herbie Farnworth
-
Winger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'oWinger for Broncos is number 5 Selwyn Cobbo
-
Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Jarome LuaiFive-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Ezra Mam
-
Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Nathan ClearyHalfback for Broncos is number 7 Adam Reynolds
Forwards
-
Prop for Panthers is number 8 Moses LeotaProp for Broncos is number 8 Thomas Flegler
-
Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Mitch KennyHooker for Broncos is number 9 Billy Walters
-
Prop for Panthers is number 10 James Fisher-HarrisProp for Broncos is number 10 Payne Haas
-
2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Scott Sorensen2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Kurt Capewell
-
2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Liam Martin2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Jordan Riki
-
Lock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah YeoLock for Broncos is number 13 Patrick Carrigan
Interchange
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 14 Jack CoggerInterchange for Broncos is number 14 Tyson Smoothy
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Lindsay SmithInterchange for Broncos is number 15 Brendan Piakura
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 16 Spencer LeniuInterchange for Broncos is number 16 Kobe Hetherington
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 17 Luke GarnerInterchange for Broncos is number 17 Keenan Palasia
Reserves
-
Replacement for Panthers is number 18 Tyrone PeacheyReplacement for Broncos is number 18 Corey Oates
Match Officials
- Referee: Adam Gee
- Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
That sees Jesse Arthars remain Kevin Walters' preferred option on the left wing at the expense of veteran Corey Oates, while for the Panthers Luke Garner snares the bench edge/utility role ahead of Tyrone Peachey, Zac Hosking or Jaeman Salmon.
Jesse Arthars Try
All bar four of Penrith's 17 were part of their premiership triumph last year, while Adam Reynolds and former Panther Kurt Capewell are the only Broncos who have previous experience in a NRL Grand Final.
