A Panthers outfit heavily depleted by Origin will host the Knights side desperate to halt their recent slide down the ladder after losing six of their past seven games.
Newcastle travel to Penrith without skipper and fullback Kalyn Ponga and will be hoping they can turn things around against a side who were held to a 30-30 draw in their Round 10 match against the Cowboys, especially with their line-up missing Nathan Cleary, Dylan Edwards, Isaah Yeo, Brian To'o and Liam Martin to Blues duty.
Coming into the game from a bye, before their draw in Townville, the Panthers had been finding some winning form, winning two of their past three matches.
In past season, the Panthers have shown they have the depth to counter the representative period, but this year, the wins have been harder to come by, but coach Ivan Cleary will be hoping his side can get the job done against a Knights side down on confidence.
Match: Panthers v Knights
Round 12 -
home Team
Panthers
17th Position
away Team
Knights
14th Position
Venue: Carrington Park, Bathurst
Team News
Panthers: Late changes an hour before kick-off with Jesse McLean coming in on the wing in jersey No.20 with Thomas Jenkins going to centre and Izack Tago to the back row. Preston Riki slides to the bench and is joined by Harry Hassett in No.21 on debut. Jack Cole drops to 18th man. Back-rowers Luke Garner (concussion) and Isaiah Papali'i (knee) are both sidelined. Hooker Mitch Kenny captains the side for just the second time.
Knights: Leo Thompson is a late withdrawal so Brodie Jones starts the game at prop and Paul Bryan makes his NRL debut off the bench. Dylan Lucas will play despite coming off late against the Eels with a shoulder problem. Fletcher Sharpe has been shifted to fullback in the absence of Kalyn Ponga on Origin duty. Tyson Gamble moves to five-eighth and Jack Cogger is the new halfback.
Match: Panthers v Knights
Round 12 -
home Team
Panthers
away Team
Knights
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Daine LaurieFullback for Knights is number 1 Fletcher Sharpe
-
Winger for Panthers is number 2 Paul AlamotiWinger for Knights is number 2 James Schiller
-
Centre for Panthers is number 4 Casey McLeanCentre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
-
Centre for Panthers is number 5 Thomas JenkinsCentre for Knights is number 4 Kyle McCarthy
-
Winger for Panthers is number 20 Jesse McLeanWinger for Knights is number 5 Fletcher Hunt
-
Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Blaize TalagiFive-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Tyson Gamble
-
Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Brad SchneiderHalfback for Knights is number 7 Jack Cogger
Forwards
-
Prop for Panthers is number 8 Moses LeotaProp for Knights is number 8 Tyson Frizell
-
Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Mitch KennyHooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix Crossland
-
Prop for Panthers is number 10 Matthew EisenhuthProp for Knights is number 16 Brodie Jones
-
2nd Row for Panthers is number 3 Izack Tago2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Dylan Lucas
-
2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Liam Henry2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Kai Pearce-Paul
-
Lock for Panthers is number 13 Lindsay SmithLock for Knights is number 13 Adam Elliott
Interchange
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 11 Preston RikiInterchange for Knights is number 14 Jayden Brailey
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 14 Luke SommertonInterchange for Knights is number 15 Mat Croker
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 16 Luron PateaInterchange for Knights is number 17 Thomas Cant
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 21 Harrison HassettInterchange for Knights is number 19 Paul Bryan
Reserves
-
Replacement for Panthers is number 17 Jack ColeReplacement for Knights is number 20 Matthew Arthur
Match Officials
- Referee: Belinda Sharpe
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Panthers are undefeated in their last 10 games against the Knights.
- The Knights have averaged only 13 points per game in 2025.
- The Panthers have won three of their past four games in Bathurst.
- The Knights have won only three of their last 10 games played outside Newcastle.
- The Panthers will field only seven members of last year’s grand final-winning outfit.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
