Saturday’s NRL 2018 Round 23 match is between Penrith Panthers and Newcastle Knights. The opening kick is set to commence at 15:00 local time with the game to be played at Panthers Stadium, Sydney. The home team Penrith Panthers are the favourites for the match.
View our preview and teams for the game between Penrith Panthers and Newcastle Knights.
When: 15:00 | Saturday 18/08/2018
Where: Panthers Stadium, Sydney
Preview:
What a week of turmoil it was for the Panthers and I’m not sure at all how they managed to get the victory in that golden point game but they did and have kept themselves in the hunt for a top 4 birth.
They have unfortunately lost James Maloney to a knee injury and that’s a massive blow in leadership.
Being back at home will definitely help their cause along with the fact that Nathan Brown is considering resting Kalyn Ponga.
Ponga is the Knights’ strike weapon and I feel he has as much influence as JT has with the Cowboys.
If he isn’t playing, I think they are no hope.
KEY BATTLE: Nathan Cleary v Mitchell Pearce
I look forward to watching the old NSW halfback v the new NSW halfback.
This will be a personal battle.
I think that Mitch will win this but unfortunately that’s all for the Newcastle team.
The Verdict
Too much speed skill and size for the Panthers.
Penrith lead Newcastle 9-6 since 2010 and are 6-3 (66.7 percent) as a home team in day matches since 2017.
Unibet Odds:
Penrith Panthers at $1.24
Newcastle Knights at $4.10
Odds:
Tip: Penrith Panthers at $1.30
Value Tip: First Try Scorer: Waqa Blake at $13.00
More Info:
Teams:
Penrith Panthers:
1. Tyrone Peachey 2. Josh Mansour 3. Waqa Blake 4. Dean Whare 5. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 6. Tyrone May 7. Nathan Cleary 8. James Tamou 9. Sione Katoa 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Isaah Yeo 13. James Fisher-Harris 14. Wayde Egan 15. Trent Merrin 16. Corey Harawira-Naera 17. Moses Leota 18. Kaide Ellis 19. Christian Crichton 20. Adam Keighran 21. Liam Martin.
Newcastle Knights: 
1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Ken Sio 3. Sione Mata’utia 4. Cory Denniss 5. Shaun Kenny-dowall 6. Jack Cogger 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. Herman Ese’ese 9. Danny Levi 10. Daniel Saifiti 11. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 12. Mitchell Barnett 13. Aidan Guerra 14. Jamie Buhrer 15. Chris Heighington 16. Pasami Saulo 17. Jj Felise 18. Nicholas Meaney 19. Josh King 20. Brodie Jones 21. Luke Yates.
NRL News:
Manly coach Trent Barrett is not under consideration for Penrith’s vacant NRL coaching job, says prominent Panthers board member Greg Alexander.
Barrett has reportedly resigned and will finish up at the end of the season with the club expected to clarify his position later on Wednesday.
“Trent Barrett’s name has not come up in a board meeting over the last six months even though he has been linked with Penrith,” deputy chairman Alexander told Macquarie Sports Radio on Wednesday.
