Friday’s NRL 2018 Round 9 match is between Penrith Panthers and Nth Queensland Cowboys. The opening kick is set to commence at 19:55 local time with the game to be played at Carrington Park, Bathurst. The home team Penrith Panthers are the favourites for the match. View our preview and teams for the game between Penrith Panthers and Nth Queensland Cowboys.

When: 19:55 | Friday 04/05/2018

Where: Carrington Park, Bathurst

Preview:

Very tough game to pick for mine.

One team in Penrith has been hit again with injury in the outside backs, this time it’s Dylan Edwards who has been terrific for them, while the other team is horribly out of form and their season is on the line.

The depth has already been tested for the Panthers and I think you might see Dallin Watene-Zelezniak back at fullback this week.

One thing they do have though is energy and youth to help then out.

I thought the Cowboys had turned a corner but after last week’s game, but I stand corrected and I now have second thoughts.

The Cowboys missed 36 tackles which wasn’t good enough and you can clearly see from some of the players they’re really struggling in the way they’re going.

Add in an aging roster and low confidence and it’ll be a tough assignment for the men from the north who have to travel to Bathurst.

Long way from Townsville and a few flights and buses in there.

Strong wind that Michael Morgan will find himself back at fullback this week and I think it could be a good move to do so.
This will help his running game which is his strong suit.

KEY BATTLE: Reagan Campbell-Gillard v Matt Scott

My favourite player to watch at the moment who is Regan Campbell-Gillard and he’s up against the old warrior in Matt Scott.

Matty is a pro and knows his team is under fire and would be taking it personal along with the fact RCG is the form prop in the game right now, this makes for an intriguing battle.

The Verdict

Tipping with my eyes this week based on recent performances and I’ll have to go with the Panthers.

Size, skill, speed and energy will be too much for the Cowboys.

Penrith has a 35-29 (54.7 percent) record as a home team, after playing within its home state since 2011.

Unibet Odds:

Penrith at $1.82

North Queensland at $2.00

Odds:

OFFER: Deposit $50 BET with $200 via this link – Ends Soon!

Tip: Penrith Panthers at $1.83

Value Tip: First Try Scorer: Isaah Yeo at $17.00

More Info:

Teams:

Penrith Panthers:

1 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 2 Christian Crichton, 3 Isaah Yeo, 4 Dean Whare, 5 Tyrone Phillips, 6 Tyrone Peachey, 7 James Maloney, 8 Trent Merrin, 9 Peter Wallace, 10 Reagan Campbell-Gillard, 11 Viliame Kikau, 12 Corey Harawira-Naera, 13 James Fisher-Harris Interchange: 14 Sione Katoa, 15 Jack Hetherington, 16 Moses Leota, 17 James Tamou Reserves: 18 Wayde Egan, 19 Nick Lui-Toso, 20 Tom Eisenhuth, 21 Kaide Ellis.

Nth Queensland Cowboys:

1 Lachlan Coote, 2 Kyle Feldt, 3 Justin O’Neill, 4 Ben Hampton, 5 Antonio Winterstein, 6 Michael Morgan, 7 Johnathan Thurston (c), 8 Matthew Scott (c), 9 Jake Granville, 10 Scott Bolton, 11 Gavin Cooper, 12 Coen Hess, 13 Jason Taumalolo Interchange: 14 Te Maire Martin, 15 Shaun Fensom, 16 Corey Jensen, 17 Ethan Lowe Reserves: 18 Francis Molo, 19 Jake Clifford, 20 Javid Bowen, 21 Sam Hoare.

NRL News:

Penrith fullback Dylan Edwards’ NRL season is over after he was booked in for shoulder surgery.

Edwards dislocated his shoulder in last Friday’s win over Canterbury, however officials had remained hopeful he could play on without surgery and return within weeks.

Those hopes were dashed this week when the 22-year-old was told he would have to go under the knife and wouldn’t play again this season.

The injury is a cruel blow for the Panthers, who are already without winger Josh Mansour and centre Waqa Blake.

Regular winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has been named at fullback for Friday’s clash with North Queensland and could be forced to play the rest of the season there.

Fringe first-grader Tyrone Phillips has been rushed back from a pectoral injury to play on the wing after scoring a hat-trick in his first game of the season in reserve grade on the weekend.

It comes after prop Tim Browne was forced to retire earlier this week after suffering a ruptured bowel and damage to his kidney and spleen earlier this year.

Browne required emergency surgery on his small intestine after he was injured in reserve grade in March, following a seemingly innocuous tackle.

Meanwhile, Mansour received better news this week, after it was confirmed he could be back within three months from a serious facial injury.

There had been fears the off-contract star may have played his last game for the club if he was ruled out for the season.