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Match Preview

Roosters v Panthers: Walker good to go; Schneider in for Cleary

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A clash of the heavyweights kicks off Round 4 with the Roosters and Panthers coming off impressive wins and looking to make a statement in a Thursday night blockbuster.

The Roosters put paid to old rivals Souths with a devastating display at Allianz Stadium some 24 hours after defending premiers Penrith had rolled over the Broncos in the grand final rematch.

The Panthers had the wood on Trent Robinson's men in 2023, racking up a combined score of 70-10 in two big wins, the second of those coming at Allianz Stadium in Round 15 with Nathan Cleary sidelined by a hamstring injury.

Both sides are now 2-1 on the season and starting to find their groove although the Roosters get Luke Keary (head knock) back, while Sandon Smith (elbow) and Lindsay Collins (hamstring) remain out with injuries suffered against the Rabbitohs.

The Panthers were hoping to have enforcer James Fisher-Harris (shoulder) back on deck as they look to match motors with 300-gamer Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Terrell May and co in the engine room.

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Team News

Roosters: Sam Walker has been cleared to play after two independent doctors appointed by the NRL Chief Medical Officer ruled his Category 1 HIA against the Rabbitohs should have been deemed a Category 2. He is joined in the halves by Luke Keary, who has served the 11-day concussion protocols after he suffered a concussion in Round 2. Lindsay Collins is out with a hamstring injury, replaced at prop by Terrell May with Egan Butcher added to the bench for his first NRL game of the season. One hour before kick-off, there were no late changes, with Siua Wong dropping from the extended bench with Michael Jennings the 18th player. 

Panthers: Coach Ivan Cleary has confirmed his line-up with no late changes an hour from kick-off. Paul Alamoti drops from the extended bench, with Soni Luke the 18th player. A huge blow with Nathan Cleary set to miss four weeks with a hamstring injury, while Scott Sorensen (knee) is also out. Brad Schneider is the new No.7 in his first game back in the NRL after a stint in England and Luke Garner is promoted to start in the back row. Mavrik Geyer, son of 1991 grand final hero Mark, will make his NRL debut off the bench.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco
    Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan Edwards
  • Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou
    Winger for Panthers is number 2 Sunia Turuva
  • Centre for Roosters is number 3 Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'i
    Centre for Panthers is number 3 Izack Tago
  • Centre for Roosters is number 4 Joseph Manu
    Centre for Panthers is number 4 Taylan May
  • Winger for Roosters is number 5 Dominic Young
    Winger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'o
  • Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Luke Keary
    Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Jarome Luai
  • Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Sam Walker
    Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Brad Schneider

Forwards

  • Prop for Roosters is number 8 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
    Prop for Panthers is number 8 Moses Leota
  • Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Brandon Smith
    Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Mitch Kenny
  • Prop for Roosters is number 10 Terrell May
    Prop for Panthers is number 10 Lindsay Smith
  • 2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Nat Butcher
    2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Luke Garner
  • 2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Sitili Tupouniua
    2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Liam Martin
  • Lock for Roosters is number 13 Victor Radley
    Lock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah Yeo

Interchange

  • Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Connor Watson
    Interchange for Panthers is number 14 Daine Laurie
  • Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Naufahu Whyte
    Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Matthew Eisenhuth
  • Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Egan Butcher
    Interchange for Panthers is number 16 Liam Henry
  • Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Angus Crichton
    Interchange for Panthers is number 17 Mavrik Geyer

Reserves

  • Replacement for Roosters is number 18 Michael Jennings
    Replacement for Panthers is number 18 Soni Luke

Match Officials

  • Referee: Adam Gee
  • Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
  • Touch Judge: Dave Munro
  • Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Last updated:

Stat Attack 

  • The Roosters have scored 110 points in their past three games at Allianz Stadium.
  • The Panthers have won their past eight games against the Roosters.
  • The Roosters have won seven of their past nine games at Allianz Stadium.
  • Panthers winger Sunia Turuva has scored eight tries in his past seven NRL games.
  • The Roosters have conceded 20 points or more in their past eight games against the Panthers.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the .

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