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After breaking their finals hoodoo by beating the Cowboys, the challenge now facing the Sharks is to go up another couple of levels to try and take down the defending premiers.

With Braydon Trindall producing one of the finest performances of his career, the Sharks got home 26-18 to move into their first preliminary final since 2018, where they were eliminated by the Storm.

Trindall and halves partner Nicho Hynes will again need to stand tall in their match-up with Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai if the Sharks are to keep alive the dream of a second premiership to go with the 2016 triumph.

The Panthers arrive at their fifth consecutive preliminary final in good shape with Cleary all the better for the run against the Roosters and back-rower Scott Sorensen looking likely to return from a hamstring injury.

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The chance to claim a slice of history with a fourth premiership on the trot is a powerful motivator for the Panthers, who are looking to send Jarome Luai, James Fisher-Harris and Sunia Turuva off on a winning note.

The two sides have met just once before in a final, with the Sharks prevailing 21-20 in 2018 on the back of a Chad Townsend field goal.

Team News

Panthers: Scott Sorensen has been unable to overcome a hamstring injury and dropped out of the squad for Saturday night's clash. Luke Garner was named in the starting side and will remain as an edge forward for the clash. Penrith are 1-17 in an hour from kick off, with Casey McLean remaining in the extended squad as the replacement player. 

Sharks: Centre Jesse Ramien has fallen short in his bid to overcome an ankle injury and will miss Saturday's preliminary final. Coach Craig Fitzgibbon told media on Friday that Ramien was 'up against it' in his bid to take the field. "He did a really good job to get himself ready and play last week and that's the risk we're looking at in the same scenario this week," Fitzgibbon said. The coach confirmed that Kayal Iro was good to go despite battling a slight wrist injury in recent weeks. Siosifa Talakai will start in the centres in place of Ramien, with Daniel Atkinson added to the bench. There are no further changes an hour from kick-off, with Mawene Hiroti taking over the 18th man duties.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan Edwards
    Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
  • Winger for Panthers is number 2 Sunia Turuva
    Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa
  • Centre for Panthers is number 3 Izack Tago
    Centre for Sharks is number 4 Kayal Iro
  • Centre for Panthers is number 4 Paul Alamoti
    Centre for Sharks is number 14 Siosifa Talakai
  • Winger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'o
    Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo
  • Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Jarome Luai
    Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon Trindall
  • Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Nathan Cleary
    Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes

Forwards

  • Prop for Panthers is number 8 Moses Leota
    Prop for Sharks is number 8 Toby Rudolf
  • Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Mitch Kenny
    Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
  • Prop for Panthers is number 10 James Fisher-Harris
    Prop for Sharks is number 10 Oregon Kaufusi
  • 2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Luke Garner
    2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora
  • 2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Liam Martin
    2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton
  • Lock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah Yeo
    Lock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnes

Interchange

  • Interchange for Panthers is number 14 Brad Schneider
    Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Jack Williams
  • Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Lindsay Smith
    Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Royce Hunt
  • Interchange for Panthers is number 16 Liam Henry
    Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Thomas Hazelton
  • Interchange for Panthers is number 17 Matthew Eisenhuth
    Interchange for Sharks is number 18 Daniel Atkinson

Reserves

  • Replacement for Panthers is number 18 Casey McLean
    Replacement for Sharks is number 20 Mawene Hiroti

Match Officials

  • Referee: Ashley Klein
  • Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
  • Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
  • Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • The Panthers have won seven of their past eight games against the Sharks.
  • The Sharks have been outscored 70-0 in their past two clashes against the Panthers.
  • The Panthers are aiming for a premiership record 11th straight finals win.
  • Sharks halfback Nicho Hynes will make his 100th NRL appearance.
  • Panthers captain Isaah Yeo will break the club’s all-time appearance record of 243 games.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, 

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.