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Panthers v Rabbitohs: Cleary, Yeo rested; Dodd recalled

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ljmpta.com
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The Rabbitohs have endured a horror season on the injury front and find themselves perilously close to a first wooden spoon since 2006.

Riding a six-game losing streak the Rabbitohs now confront the fast-charging Panthers, who have put their premiership defence back on track with five wins on the bounce.

Having navigated the testing State of Origin period in great style the Panthers enter a stretch of games against teams below them on the ladder and struggling for form in the Rabbitohs, Wests Tigers, Titans and Knights.

Wayne Bennett's men can take heart from the fact they were able to roll the Panthers 28-18 at Accor Stadium in Round 4 without their superstar Latrell Mitchell, who will be looking for a big one this week against a posse of his Blues Origin teammates.

Team News

Panthers: Star halfback Nathan Cleary will sit out Friday's match, with Blaize Talagi to partner Brad Schneider in the halves. NSW skipper Isaah Yeo has also been handed a rest, however Dylan Edwards and Brian To'o are back on deck. Liam Martin remains sidelined with a wrist injury suffered in the Origin decider. Izack Tago's suspension has seen Paul Alamoti recalled in the centres, while Scott Sorensen returns from suspension in the second row. Edwards' return will see Daine Laurie shift to the interchange.

Rabbitohs: English import Lewis Dodd has earned an NRL recall and will come off the bench in jumper No.17. Jack Wighton will again link up with Jamie Humphreys in the halves with Cody Walker still sidelined. Latrell Mitchell's return from Origin duties will see Alex Johnston shift to the wing as part of a wider backline reshuffle. Isaiah Tass will line up in the centres, with Campbell Graham ruled out with a back injury. Euan Aitken returns from injury in the back row. A knee injury to Brandon Smith will see Siliva Havili start at hooker, with Peter Mamouzelos back on the interchange. Davvy Moale (knee) joins Graham and Smith in the casualty ward, with Sean Keppie earning an NRL recall. 

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan Edwards
    Fullback for Rabbitohs is number 2 Alex Johnston
  • Winger for Panthers is number 2 Thomas Jenkins
    Winger for Rabbitohs is number 3 Isaiah Tass
  • Centre for Panthers is number 3 Paul Alamoti
    Centre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Tallis Duncan
  • Centre for Panthers is number 4 Casey McLean
    Centre for Rabbitohs is number 11 Euan Aitken
  • Winger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'o
    Winger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Tyrone Munro
  • Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Blaize Talagi
    Five-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Jack Wighton
  • Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Brad Schneider
    Halfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Jamie Humphreys

Forwards

  • Prop for Panthers is number 8 Moses Leota
    Prop for Rabbitohs is number 8 Tevita Tatola
  • Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Mitch Kenny
    Hooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Siliva Havili
  • Prop for Panthers is number 10 Lindsay Smith
    Prop for Rabbitohs is number 10 Keaon  Koloamatangi
  • 2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Scott Sorensen
    2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Jacob Host
  • 2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Luke Garner
    2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 13 Jai Arrow
  • Lock for Panthers is number 13 Isaiah Papali'i
    Lock for Rabbitohs is number 15 Lachlan Hubner

Interchange

  • Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Liam Henry
    Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Peter Mamouzelos 
  • Interchange for Panthers is number 16 Luron Patea
    Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Sean Keppie
  • Interchange for Panthers is number 17 Matthew Eisenhuth
    Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Lewis Dodd
  • Interchange for Panthers is number 18 Jack Cole
    Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 18 Liam Le Blanc

Reserves

  • Replacement for Panthers is number 20 Mavrik Geyer
    Replacement for Rabbitohs is number 19 Thomas Fletcher

Match Officials

  • Referee: Gerard Sutton
  • Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
  • Touch Judge: Kasey Badger
  • Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • The Panthers have won 12 of their past 15 games against the Rabbitohs.
  • The Rabbitohs have not defeated the Panthers twice in a season since 2017.
  • The Panthers have won their last four games at CommBank Stadium.
  • Rabbitohs utility Tallis Duncan has scored five tries in his last four games.
  • The Panthers have conceded only 58 points in their last five games.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the 

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