A full BlueBet stadium will feature an attacking football banquet as the two most prominent teams in the NRL face off in a round 12 blockbuster.
The Panthers have only dropped one game all season and have their first consecutive firsts in their sights, while the Cowboys have risen from the ashes of 2021 to give themselves a legitimate chance at the club’s second title.
Todd Payten’s men have the third-best attack in the NRL behind Storm and Panthers, but it’s the steel on defense that the coach likes best, conceding just 12 points per game compared to 31 per game in 2021.
A trip to Penrith on a frosty Friday night where an icy reception is guaranteed provides the litmus test the Cowboys need to see exactly where they fit into the Prime Minister’s talks.
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Sportsbet: Panthers v Cowboys preview
The Rundown
Team news
Panthers: There are no changes to the team that dropped the Roosters. Ever since star winger Brian To’o returned from injury in the ninth round, the former have had the luxury of throwing the same starting 13 against the Eels, Storm, Roosters and now the Cowboys. Charlie Staines is the 18th man.
Cowboys: A couple of forced changes for the visitors with Kyle Feldt (knee) out for six weeks and Jason Taumalolo (knee) also down. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow was the replacement. Coen Hess was the replacement. Jake Granville and Jamayne Taunoa-Brown are the new men in the exchange. No changes when the squad materialized 60 minutes before the start, with Connelly Lemuelu 18th.
Key match
Nathan Cleary v. Chad Townsend: The two generals are surrounded by quality players in good shape, but when all is said and done, the winner of this battle will most likely win the two points of competition. Cleary’s return after shoulder surgery has been perfect, with the No. 7 champion racking up nine assists, 11 forced dropouts, five assists on a line break and 80 points in eight games. The cunning Townsend is proving one of the purchases of the year in the North with 13 assists, six forced abandonments and 400 yards per game in 11 games.
Statistical attack
The Panthers and Cowboys are among the top three in the competition alongside Parramatta to complete the set. The Eels lead the way with an 83% completion rate during the first 11 rounds, followed by the Panthers (81%) and the Cowboys (80%).