The battle of the west has become something of the battle of the battlers.
The 17th placed Penrith Panthers host the 15th placed Parramatta Eels this Sunday afternoon in a game that should be considered a blockbuster, but is instead a clash of two western Sydney teams not meeting expectations in 2025.
But the interest level in this game still remains high, especially when you consider what is at stake. I’m willing to say that the loser here can’t make the Finals – while the winner will keep their faint hopes of a resurgence in the second half of the season alive.
The other element of note of course is that Nathan Cleary and Mitch Moses will go from being New South Wales halves partners to facing off against each other in the space of just four days.
There will be plenty made of who has the better game.
Penrith fans have every right to be disappointed by the performance against Newcastle last Saturday in Bathurst, but with the amount of cattle missing and the side’s already patchy form this year, it was hardly a surprise (though I admit, I expected the Panthers to win and win handsomely – but the Knights found something they’d been lacking for some time).
Ivan Cleary has named all five of his Origin players to take the field against the Eels on Sunday. He simply doesn’t have the luxury of resting them and if Penrith are to save their season, all five will have to back up regardless of how much of a toll Origin may take on them.
And that’s especially the case now that Liam Henry has been suspended for two games, adding to Penrith’s continued headaches and inability to field a full strength side this year.
Parramatta were impressive against Manly last week and managed to control the momentum of the game and rarely let the Sea Eagles into any good field position.
The Eels will try to implement the same tactic against Penrith, and it’s something other clubs have done well this year. It’s turning Penrith’s asset – their defence – against them, making it almost impossible to gain any respectable territory and then frustrating them into errors.
There are indeed excuses for Penrith at the moment, and one cannot deny that. Anyone who thought winning a fifth straight Premiership was going to be a walk-up task doesn’t know rugby league very well.
But it can also not be denied that there’s things this Penrith team are doing at the moment that are simply unacceptable. The missed tackle rate in matches is just so uncharacteristic that it borders on laughable at times, and it constantly feels like the Panthers are off the pace.
Like a car on its last legs, the engine only turns over for the Panthers every now and again at the moment. Whether Ivan Cleary can put the right parts together to ensure the vehicle splutters its way to the end of the season in one piece is the big question.
If not, the car is likely headed to the garage nice and early this year for some summer repairs, hopefully to come back bigger and better.
A final prediction? It feels almost fruitless at the moment, given how wild the competition itself is and Penrith’s wayward form. But on paper, it’s hard to go past the Panthers – even if it is without much confidence.
Tip: Panthers by 2.
Penrith and Parramatta play on Sunday, June 1 at 4.05pm at CommBank Stadium. The game is live on Nine, Fox League and Kayo.
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.