St. George Illawarra Dragons vs Penrith Panthers Preview & Prediction | 2025 NRL | Regular Season
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WIN Stadium in Wollongong hosts a Friday fixture as the Dragons look to finish their season on a high against a Panthers side who have locked in their finals position.
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
St. George Illawarra Dragons team news
The Dragons have named the same squad as Round 26 with both Blake Lawrie and Lachlan Ilias unable to make their way into the seventeen.
Squad: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Christian Tuipulotu 3. Hayden Buchanan 4. Mathew Feagai 5. Tyrell Sloan 6. Lyhkan King-Togia 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Emre Guler 9. Damien Cook 10. David Klemmer 11. Jacob Halangahu 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack de Belin 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Luciano Leilua 16. Hame Sele 17. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 18. Ben Murdoch-Masila 19. Corey Allan 20. Lachlan Ilias 21. Michael Molo 22. Blake Lawrie
Penrith Panthers team news
The majority of the Panthers’ rested stars return this week. Only Liam Martin and Brian To’o have been given a second week of rest, which sees Paul Alamoti keep his place in the backline. Matt Eisenhuth also keeps his spot in the side, being named on the bench with Scott Sorensen and Luke Garner starting in the back row.
Squad: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Izack Tago 4. Casey McLean 5. Paul Alamoti 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Luke Garner 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Brad Schneider 15. Liam Henry 16. Isaiah Papali’I 17. Matt Eisenhuth 18. Daine Laurie 19. Mavrik Geyer 20. Riley Price 21. Luron Patea 22. Jaxen Edgar
St. George Illawarra Dragons vs Penrith Panthers prediction
The St George Illawarra Dragons (15th) have had a difficult end to the season, with three losses in their last five games. Their last outing was a 40-24 defeat to the Manly Sea Eagles.
The Penrith Panthers (7th) are limping into the finals, having lost their last three consecutive matches. They were beaten comprehensively 28-4 by the Canterbury Bulldogs in Round 26, albeit with all their stars rested.
Key Stats:
The Dragons have won three of their past four games at WIN Stadium. The Panthers have won seven of their last eight games against the Dragons. The Dragons have beaten four of the current top eight teams this season. Panthers half Nathan Cleary has scored six tries in his last six games against the Dragons. Dragons winger Tyrell Sloan has been a genuine bright spot, crossing for 16 tries in just 18 games this season to rank among the competition's most potent finishers.
The head-to-head record is close, with the Dragons winning 21 of 40 games. However, the Panthers have won seven of the last ten meetings.
The Dragons, playing for pride in front of their home crowd, have shown they can trouble top teams this season. However, the Panthers' return to a full-strength lineup should see their class prevail .
St. George Illawarra Dragons vs Penrith Panthers tip: Penrith to win by 8+ points
