Panthers v Knights preview

Penrith Panthers v Newcastle Knights
Pepper Stadium - Saturday 3:00pm

Two sides looking to farewell departing players with huge motivation to avoid the wooden spoon.

At the start of 2015 the prospect of the Penrith Panthers finishing last seemed unthinkable. After falling agonisingly close to a Grand Final appearance last year, the Panthers have endured one of the worst injury tolls in the club's history, with an entire first grade team unavailable. Having gone down to the Raiders last Monday, coach Ivan Cleary will be hoping his side can make the most of the short turn-around and give departing players Lewis Brown, Apisai Koroisau, Sika Manu the send-off they deserve after providing quality service to the club over the years. While the same side that travelled to Canberra has been retained, late changes are expected with Jamie Soward (concussion) and Bryce Cartwright (kidney) all but certain to be ruled out.

While the Knights were unable to get over the top of Canterbury last Saturday night in front of their biggest home crowd of the season, coach Danny Buderus will be looking to have his side primed to farewell departing captain Kurt Gidley with a win. In the only change from last week, Adam Clydesdale returns at hooker in place of Danny Levi. Korbin Sims has been named to play but will need to be exonerated by the judiciary to take his place; should the barnstorming front-rower be ruled out through suspension, expect Lachlan Fitzgibbon to come onto the bench. The Knights hold an impressive record in recent years over the Panthers, winning six of the past eight clashes since 2011.

Last meeting: Round 4 2015 - Newcastle Knights 26 Penrith Panthers 14

Who to watch: After 13 seasons in the NRL, David Simmons will play his 200th and final game on Saturday afternoon. Starting out with Cronulla back in 2003, the former City representative will likely be afforded the honour of captaining the side due to the clubs catastrophic injury toll. Having spent the beginning of 2015 languishing in NSW Cup, Simmons has provided a wealth of experience and leadership for the Panthers this year and will be looking to go out a winner against the Knights.

Having experienced an incredible rise from Under 20s to representing Australia last season, it's fair to say Sione Mata'utia hasn't been at his best in 2015. Still only 19-years-old, the youngest Mata'utia sibling has shown glimpses of his ability in recent weeks and will be looking to make a statement on Saturday afternoon. While his defence has been an issue throughout 2015, Mata'utia will be out to make a mark in attack against the injury-depleted Panthers in order to ensure the Knights avoid finishing last for only the second time in the club's history.

The favourite: Despite a short turn-around and the absence of Soward and Cartwright, the Panthers are expected to finish 2015 with a win.

My tip: The Knights may have fallen short of sending Kurt Gidley out a winner at home last week; but with the Panthers missing an entire starting side they'll be able to ensure he finishes his NRL career with a win. Knights by 8.

1. William Smith 2. Josh Mansour 3. Waqa Blake 4. Lewis Brown 5. David Simmons 6. Apisai Koroisau 7. Jamie Soward 8. Sam McKendry 9. James Segeyaro 10. Regan Campbell-Gillard 11. Bryce Cartwright 12. Tyrone Peachey 13. Isaah Yeo
Interchange: 14. Tupou Sopoaga 15. Jeremy Latimore 16. Leilani Latu 17. Sika Manu

1. Jake Mamo 2. Nathan Ross 3. Sione Mata'utia 4. Dane Gagai 5. Akuila Uate 6. Kurt Gidley 7. Tyrone Roberts 8. Kade Snowden 9. Adam Clydsdale 10. Korbin Sims 11. Beau Scott 12. Tariq Sims 13. Chris Houston
Interchange: 14. Tyler Randell 15. Joseph Tapine 16. Clint Newton 17. Sam Mataora

Referees: Gavin Reynolds, Adam Gee; Sideline Officials: Dave Ryan, Lawrence McDonnell; Video Referees: Steve Clark, Steve Folkes;

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