Two clubs in the midst of two very different revivals meet in a western Sydney showdown on Sunday afternoon.
Penrith’s revival is very much confined to the 2025 season – a campaign that seemed dead and buried at one stage, now back on track and bound for a Finals finish and a defence of their title.
Parramatta’s revival is more long-term, and while they sit in 15th spot on the ladder and a Finals finish in 2025 is probably beyond them, there’s been some definite green shoots under Jason Ryles and a vision for what the future looks like.
The Eels have looked a far better side this year than their five wins suggests, and they’ve certainly come a long way from the opening month of the competition when they were pounded by the likes of Melbourne, Wests Tigers and Manly.
Penrith and Parramatta met back in early June, with the Panthers prevailing 18-10. For Ivan Cleary’s side, it was the start of what has now become a four-match winning streak. With two byes thrown in, Penrith haven’t lost since that diabolical performance against Newcastle in Bathurst in late May.
After their final bye last weekend, Penrith now commence their Finals quest with a packed schedule ahead of them. How Ivan Cleary manages his team’s workload, particularly those who have just come off a State of Origin series, will be a key part of the strategy for the back end of the season.
While Cleary does not have the same luxury to rest players as he has in previous years, he may find the opportunity to give key players a breather in this period that includes a host of matches against the bottom eight. It may well be a week-to-week proposition depending on how his side is going and where the rest of the competition is falling.
It’s worth noting Cleary didn’t name any of his Origin players in the starting side when the teams were named on Tuesday, but that will certainly change.
Ryles has Parramatta on a course correction and can easily spring upset results, so this game is far closer than the betting odds and predictions may suggest.
Despite some of their injury woes through the season, the Eels still have plenty to offer in attack and Penrith’s defence will need to be on point from the word go.
Parramatta’s best performances this year have come when they’ve been able to set the tempo from the early stages, so Penrith will be keen to get a good start and then hopefully rely on Nathan Cleary’s kicking game to guide them home.
Both sides have made just as many errors as each other this season (Penrith 174, Parramatta 172) so discipline will play a factor here too – give the opposition too much ball and you’ve opened the door to have the momentum shifted on you, and you may not get it back.
I’d have some doubts Brian To’o will play in this one given his recent injury woes.
Given Penrith have plenty of adequate replacements, don’t be surprised if Paul Alamoti plays on Sunday.
On a fast track on a sunny Sunday afternoon, I’m expecting plenty of points to be scored in this one. I think a repeat of the 18-10 scoreline we saw when the sides last met is unlikely.
Penrith should be too good here – but it’s these type of games that the Panthers dropped earlier in the season, much to their detriment. We may just see what they’ve learned since then in this one.
Tip: Panthers by 12.
Penrith and Parramatta play at CommBank Stadium on Sunday, July 13 at 4.05pm. The game is live on Nine and Fox Sports.
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.