The Sea Eagles ventured to Pirtek Stadium last week and started a short-priced favourite to account for the Eels.

All was going to plan in the first 40 minutes with the Sea Eagles establishing a 12 – 0 lead however, upon resumption after the break, the tide turn quickly and for the worse.

The Eels ran in four unanswered tries to record a 22 – 12 win. It was only the second time this year the Sea Eagles have given up a half-time lead.

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It was also their sixth away loss from eleven games this year so they’ll be happy to get back to Brookvale Oval for the first time in three weeks, a venue where they boast a 10 – 1 winning record.

It was uncharacteristic second half performance by the Sea Eagles riddled with mistakes that you want see again this season.

A return to their home-ground and with only one win to spare at the top of the ladder over the Rabbitohs, Roosters and their opponents this week Panthers, should be enough incentive to see the Sea Eagles bounce back with a strong showing here.

They’ve named a full strength side, the same squad as last week.

PANTHERS

The Panthers suffered only their third defeat at home this year when the Storm got the better of them on Monday night, 24 – 10.

The Panthers were still in the game half-way into the second half but two quick tries to the visitors in the space of five minutes, gave them the buffer that the Panthers were always going to find hard to reel in.

It was the Panthers first lost in three weeks but still sees them in the top four, one win in front of both the Storm and Canterbury – who play other top four sides in Roosters and South Sydney respectively.

They’ll know the results of both of the above games heading into their match and win here could possibly secure them a top four finish for the season.

The Panthers have achieved more than anyone would have suggested possible at the start of the year and although it is a tough run into the finals for them – they host the unpredictable Warriors in the final round – do not expect them to let their hard work this year go without a fight.

Coach Ivan Cleary has gone with the same team from Monday night.

HEAD TO HEAD

The Panthers won each of the past two encounters – including one at Brookvale – by comfortable margins of eighteen and twelve points and have often proved to be a thorn in the Sea Eagle’s side, with the ledger 4 – 3 in the Sea Eagles favour since 2010.

This year the Panthers are going better that at any other time in the past two seasons so shouldn’t be quickly dismissed here.

However the Sea Eagles haven’t lost two in a row all year and combined with their fantastic record at home, should prevail here but none of their four most recent wins (Gold Coast, Brisbane, Warriors and Dragons) have been by a margin greater than the line set down for this game.

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Teams:

SEA EAGLES: Brett Stewart, Jorge Taufua, Jamie Lyon, Steve Matai, Peta Hiku, Kieran Foran, Daly Cherry-Evans, Josh Starling, Matt Ballin, Brenton Lawrence, Anthony Watmough, Tom Symonds, Jamie Buhrer.
Interchange: Jesse Sene-Lefao, Justin Horo, James Hasson, Jason King.

PANTHERS: Matt Moylan, Josh Mansour, Dean Whare, Jamal Idris, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Will Smith, Jamie Soward, Nigel Plum, Kevin Kingston, Sam McKendry, Sika Manu, Matt Robinson, Adam Docker.
Interchange: Lewis Brown, Jeremy Latimore, Ben Murdoch-Masila, Tim Grant.