With a month to go in the regular season we have an absolute blockbuster to launch Round 24 with the top two teams facing off at CommBank Stadium.
The Panthers have lost four of their past seven matches to throw the minor premiership race wide open and now face four weeks without skipper Isaah Yeo due to a pectoral injury.
In stark contrast the Roosters are riding a seven-game winning streak but again will be missing skipper James Tedesco due to an ankle injury.
The Roosters' last minor premiership came in 2018 when they went on to claim the title with a win over the Storm in the decider.
A victory this week against the Panthers would have Trent Robinson's men in prime position to take the JJ Giltinan Shield with matches against Wests Tigers, Dolphins and Rabbitohs to come, all at Allianz Stadium.
Match: Panthers v Roosters
Round 24 -
home Team
Panthers
2nd Position
away Team
Roosters
1st Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Team News
Panthers: Gun fullback Dylan Edwards (shoulder) comes into the starting side 90 minutes before kick-off. Young gun Jaxen Edgar moves to the bench. The loss of Isaah Yeo (pectoral) sees Lindsay Smith shift to lock and Liam Henry join the starting side in the front row. Jack Cogger returns at five-eighth after missing last week's trip to Auckland to remain in Sydney with his pregnant wife.
Roosters: No further game day changes after skipper James Tedesco fell short in his bid to return from an ankle injury and dropped out of the squad in Wednesday's update. Cody Ramsey steps into the fullback role, with Rex Bassingthwaite coming onto the six-man bench.
Match: Panthers v Roosters
Round 24 -
home Team
Panthers
away Team
Roosters
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Panthers is number 20 Dylan EdwardsFullback for Roosters is number 18 Cody Ramsey
-
Winger for Panthers is number 2 Thomas JenkinsWinger for Roosters is number 2 Billy Smith
-
Centre for Panthers is number 3 Paul AlamotiCentre for Roosters is number 3 Hugo Savala
-
Centre for Panthers is number 4 Izack TagoCentre for Roosters is number 4 Robert Toia
-
Winger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'oWinger for Roosters is number 5 Mark Nawaqanitawase
-
Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Jack CoggerFive-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Daly Cherry-Evans
-
Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Nathan ClearyHalfback for Roosters is number 7 Sam Walker
Forwards
-
Prop for Panthers is number 8 Moses LeotaProp for Roosters is number 8 Naufahu Whyte
-
Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Freddy LussickHooker for Roosters is number 9 Reece Robson
-
Prop for Panthers is number 10 Liam HenryProp for Roosters is number 10 Spencer Leniu
-
2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Isaiah Papali'i2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Salesi Foketi
-
2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Liam Martin2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Siua Wong
-
Lock for Panthers is number 13 Lindsay SmithLock for Roosters is number 13 Victor Radley
Interchange
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Scott SorensenInterchange for Roosters is number 14 Connor Watson
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 16 Luron PateaInterchange for Roosters is number 15 Lindsay Collins
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 17 Billy PhillipsInterchange for Roosters is number 16 Nat Butcher
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 19 Blaize Talagi
-
Reserve for Panthers is number 1 Jaxen EdgarReserve for Roosters is number 17 Egan Butcher
-
Reserve for Panthers is number 14 Billy ScottReserve for Roosters is number 19 Tommy Talau
-
Reserve for Roosters is number 20 Rex Bassingthwaighte
Match Officials
- Referee: Adam Gee
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Panthers have won 12 of their last 13 games against the Roosters.
- The Roosters are chasing eight straight wins for the first time since 2022.
- The Panthers have scored 142 points in their last four games against the Roosters.
- Roosters halfback Sam Walker has yet to achieve a win over Nathan Cleary at NRL level.
- Panthers winger Brian To’o requires one try for 100 NRL tries.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
Don't miss a top-of-the-table blockbuster at CommBank Stadium. Kids tickets are available from just $15, with $67 family tickets with the code PANTHERS67. Tickets are selling fast, click here to secure your seats before they sell out.
