Penrith Panthers vs Newcastle Knights Preview & Prediction | 2025 NRL | Regular Season
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The Penrith Panthers begin the Origin period missing all their big names which starts with a clash against the Newcastle Knights.
Start date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / Australia – Foxtel / US – Some matches are televised live on Fox Sports
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go & Watch NRL / Australia – Kayo Sports / US – Watch NRL, and if the match is televised in the USA it can also be streamed live on Fox Sports platforms
Penrith Panthers team news
The Panthers lose five players to the NSW Blues camp with Nathan Cleary, Brian To’o, Dylan Edwards, Liam Martin and Isaiah Yeo all on Origin duty. Brad Schneider has the daunting task of replacing Cleary at halfback to partner Blaize Talagi. Jack Cole gets a spot on the bench. Daine Laurie replaces Edwards at fullback and Thomas Jenkins comes in for To’o on the wing. Luke Garner moves to the second row to fill Martin’s shoes and Casey McLean goes into the centres for Garner. Lindsay Smith moves from prop to replace Yeo at lock with Matt Eisenhuth starting at prop opposite Moses Leota. New faces on the bench are Luke Sommerton and second-rower PrestonRiki.
Squad: 1. Daine Laurie 2. Paul Alamoti 3. Izack Tago 4. Casey McLean 5. Thomas Jenkins 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Brad Schneider 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Matt Eisenhuth 12. Liam Henry 13. Lindsay Smith 14. Luke Sommerton 15. Preston Riki 16. Luron Patea 17. Jack Cole 18. Trent Toelau 19. Austin Dias 20. Jesse McLean 21. Harrison Hassett 22. Billy Phillips
Newcastle Knights team news
Fletcher Sharpe moves from five-eighth to fullback to replace Queensland Fullback Kalyn Ponga. Tyson Gamble is the new five-eighth with Jack Cogger moving to halfback. Kyle McCarthy starts at centre in his second NRL game while Dylan Lucas returns to the edge and Thomas Cant goes to the bench. Leo Thompson (concussion) returns in a straight swap for Jacob Saifiti (calf). JackHetherington has been dropped out of the 17.
Squad: 1. Fletcher Sharpe 2. James Schiller 3. Dane Gagai 4. Kyle McCarthy 5. Fletcher Hunt 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Jack Cogger 8. Tyson Frizell 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Adam Elliott 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Mathew Croker 16. Brodie Jones 17. Thomas Cant 18. Jack Hetherington 19. Paul Bryan 20. Matthew Arthur 21. Connor Votano 22. Jackson Hastings
Penrith Panthers vs Newcastle Knights prediction
A tricky period begins for the Panthers when they take on the Knights on Saturday. In stark contrast to recent years, the Panthers find themselves in 13th spot and can’t afford to drop too many games during the Origin period if they want to play finals. 30 points usually gets you into the finals so the Panthers likely have to win nine of their remaining 13 games to make the top eight and get a chance at defending their crown.
The Newcastle Kinghts were poor against the Eels last week and will be desperate to rebound. In recent years there has never been a “good” time to face the Panthers but this may be as close to it as you can get with the Panthers lineup lacking many of their marquee names.
The Panthers have won the past ten meeting between the two sides and at their second home in Bathurst this weekend we think they still have enough firepower to make it 11 straight.
Penrith Panthers vs Newcastle Knights tip: Penrith Panthers to win
