With gun playmakers Shaun Johnson and Nathan Cleary both sidelined by injury, the call to arms will go out to their understudies to stand tall on the Magic Round stage.
Johnson's pectoral injury could not have come at a worse time for a Warriors side floundering in 14th position and looking a shadow of the high-octane attacking juggernaut that took the NRL by storm in 2023.
The loss of Cleary is certainly a blow for Penrith but the premiers have a knack of dealing with adversity and still finding a way to win games without their main man.
Currently sitting second on the ladder, the Panthers have manufactured three of their seven victories with Cleary out of the side and they'll need to manage without him for the next eight weeks after scans confirmed a Grade 2 hamstring tear.
The Warriors have lost four in a row since a draw against Manly in Round 6 and must turn things around quickly before their season slips away completely.
After downing the Dragons in the inaugural Magic Round in 2019 the Warriors have lost their past three matches at the festival of football so history isn't in their favour as they confront the defending champions.
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Team News
Warriors: Dylan Walker replaces injured captain Tohu Harris (finger) at lock, with Paul Roache joining the interchange. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad is the new face at five-eighth amidst a halves crisis for the Warriors, with Taine Tuaupiki joining the side at fullback. Ali Leiataua will play his second NRL game as a replacement for Rocco Berry (hand).
Panthers: Paul Alamoti replaces Taylan May at centre, with Scott Sorensen confirmed to make his return from a knee injury via the bench, alongside another new face in Tyrone Peachey. Jarome Luai will take over at halfback in the absence of Nathan Cleary (hamstring) and youngster Jack Cole comes in at five-eighth. Lindsay Smith starts at prop with Moses Leota moving back to the bench.
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Stat Attack
- The Warriors have lost their last five games at Suncorp Stadium.
- The Panthers have won their last eight games against the Warriors.
- The Warriors have lost their last three Magic Round games.
- Panthers winger Brian To’o has scored seven tries in his past five games against the Warriors.
- Warriors winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak will play his 200th NRL game.
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Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the .