Preview of the Panthers vs. Wests Tigers game: Cleary rushes the clock; Galvin makes a comeback
After a week off, the Panthers are ready to end their two-game losing streak when they take on the Wests Tigers in Bathurst. Penrith’s Round 6 bye certainly came at a good time, as they had just lost to the Sea Eagles and were beginning to show some signs of a mounting injury toll.
Although there is no assurance that star halfback Nathan Cleary or important forward Scott Sorensen will return, injured five-eighth Jarome Luai will benefit from the week off. In contrast, the Wests Tigers lost to the Dragons last week and failed to score more than 17 points for the fourth time in their previous five games this season. As a result, Benji Marshall’s team may not be able to maintain the positive momentum they gained from winning back-to-back games in Rounds 3 and 4.
The Wests Tigers actually have a favorable record against Ivan Cleary’s heavyweights, having won two of their past four meetings against Penrith, including their lone encounter last year, despite having finished at the other end of the ladder from the Panthers in the previous several seasons.
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