Penrith coach Ivan Cleary has named his team to take on Parramatta in the club’s NRL season opener on Sunday afternoon.
There’s no major surprises in the team, with Dylan Edwards winning the coveted fullback role and Sione Katoa named at hooker.
Jack Hetherington starts in the second row for the injured Viliame Kikau while new recruits Tyrell Fuimaono and Hame Sele have been named on the bench.
The Panthers will be looking for a quick form reversal after losing to the Eels 20-0 in a pre-season trial just a fortnight ago.
Panthers: Dylan Edwards, Josh Mansour, Dean Whare, Waqa Blake, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, James Maloney, Nathan Cleary, James Tamou, Sione Katoa, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Jack Hetherington, Isaah Yeo, James Fisher Harris. Bench: Wayde Egan, Tyrell Fuimaono, Moses Leota, Hame Sela. (Reserves: Jarome Luai, Tim Grant, Liam Martin, Malakai Watene-Zelezniak).
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Troy Dodds
Troy Dodds is the Weekender's Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia's leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.