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Panthers v Dragons: Schneider-Cole steer ship; Brothers in arms

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The battle between second and 12th looks to be a mismatch on recent form but the absence of five Panthers on Origin duty offers the Dragons hope of an upset.

With Jarome Luai, Isaah Yeo, Liam Martin, Brian To'o and Dylan Edwards in Blues camp and Nathan Cleary out injured, the Panthers' renowned depth will again be tested as they look to navigate the tricky Origin period. 

The Dragons will be without Maroons reps Ben Hunt and Jaydn Su'A as well as Blues debutant Zac Lomax so coach Shane Flanagan turns to son Kyle and Jesee Marschke in a new playmaking combination.

Having won just one of their past four games and conceded 138 points in the process the Dragons are in danger of losing touch with the top eight should they not be able to turn things around against the Panthers, Wests Tigers and Sea Eagles ahead of a Round 16 bye.

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Team News

Panthers: Brad Schneider and Jake Cole have both shaken off injury concerns and will form a new-look halves combination, with Trent Toelau and Preston Riki to make their NRL debut off the bench. Tyrone Peachey will play just his second game of the season, while Daine Laurie starts at fullback for the first time since returning to the club. Ativalu Lisati is the replacement player. 

Dragons: The Feagai brothers start together in the backline with the Couchman boys together on the bench. Jesse Marschke is the new halfback in Ben Hunt's absence while Jack de Belin moves to prop to cover for Hame Sele (shoulder), with Luciano Leilua called into the starting side. No late changes, with Fa'amanu Brown the replacement player. 

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Daine Laurie
    Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Tyrell Sloan
  • Winger for Panthers is number 2 Sunia Turuva
    Winger for Dragons is number 2 Sione Finau
  • Centre for Panthers is number 3 Izack Tago
    Centre for Dragons is number 3 Mosese Suli
  • Centre for Panthers is number 4 Paul Alamoti
    Centre for Dragons is number 4 Max Feagai
  • Winger for Panthers is number 5 Jesse McLean
    Winger for Dragons is number 5 Mathew Feagai
  • Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Jack Cole
    Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Kyle Flanagan
  • Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Brad Schneider
    Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Jesse Marschke

Forwards

  • Prop for Panthers is number 8 Moses Leota
    Prop for Dragons is number 8 Francis Molo
  • Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Mitch Kenny
    Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Jacob Liddle
  • Prop for Panthers is number 10 James Fisher-Harris
    Prop for Dragons is number 10 Jack De Belin
  • 2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Scott Sorensen
    2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Luciano Leilua
  • 2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Liam Henry
    2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Raymond Faitala-Mariner 
  • Lock for Panthers is number 13 Lindsay Smith
    Lock for Dragons is number 13 Tom Eisenhuth

Interchange

  • Interchange for Panthers is number 14 Trent Toelau
    Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Blake Lawrie
  • Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Preston Riki
    Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Ben  Murdoch-Masila 
  • Interchange for Panthers is number 16 Mavrik Geyer
    Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Toby Couchman
  • Interchange for Panthers is number 17 Tyrone Peachey
    Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Ryan Couchman

Reserves

  • Replacement for Panthers is number 19 Ativalu Lisati
    Replacement for Dragons is number 18 Fa'amanu Brown

Match Officials

  • Referee: Todd Smith
  • Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
  • Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
  • Senior Review Official: Gerard Sutton

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • The Panthers have won their past six games against the Dragons.
  • The Dragons have lost their last 10 games without halfback Ben Hunt.
  • The Panthers have won 13 of their past 14 games at BlueBet Stadium.
  • Panthers winger Sunia Turuva has scored seven tries in his past five games at BlueBet Stadium.

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

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Acknowledgement of Country

National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.