Panthers v Sea Eagles preview

Penrith Panthers v Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
ANZ Stadium - Sunday 1:35pm

It's the big one, it's the showcase game of the stars of the future, the Holden Cup Grand Final for 2015.

The Penrith Panthers head into the grand final with the tag of being favourites after a shock Round 26 loss by the Cowboys handed them their first minor premiership in the Holden Cup. They take on the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles who finished fourth, a clear 11 points behind the Panthers.

The Panthers come into the decider off a big 50-16 win over the Warriors in Brisbane last week, meanwhile the Sea Eagles stole a 25-24 victory in the preliminary final over the Cowboys who were widely tipped for the grand final, and even the premiership.

2015 Meetings: Just like the NRL Grand Final, this will be the fourth time Penrith and Manly take each other on this season, with the Panthers taking all three victories; 36-16 (Round 5, Pepper Stadium), 42-16 (Round 10 at St Mary's Stadium) and then in Week 1 of the Finals, 44-24 at ANZ Stadium.

Who to watch: There is plenty of talent on the field and looking away from the big names, the key players to watch for the Panthers are the five-eighth Tyrone May who has played in just about every role for the Panthers through 2015, from half to fullback to hooker. May has been an integral part of the team and the link with Soni Luke will be key.

Looking at the Manly side, everybody knows the talent of Tom Trbojevic but outside of him several key players for the Eagles include lumbering Addison Demetriou, a chunky winger with plenty of power who's set to cause plenty of headaches for the Panthers defenders if they can't stop him.

The favourite: Undoubtedly the Panthers are favourites for this one, having picked up the minor premiership and won both their finals emphatically.

My tip: The heart says that it's hard to see the Panthers losing this game, having lost just 4 games all season and Manly's trip down to Melbourne last week.

BUT... It is well worth thinking that after three losses to the Panthers in 2015, the Sea Eagles would surely have worked out by now their oppositions' weaknesses - and with plenty of talent on the park, they can push the Panthers and even beat them.

Still say the Panthers win it - but not by the big margins that we've seen earlier in the season, saying Panthers by 10 - with plenty of points from both sides.

1. Brent Naden 2. Fuimanu Enise 3. Robert Jennings 4. Maliko Filino 5. Dylan Edwards 6. Tyrone May 7. Jarome Luai 8. Oliver Clark 9. Soni Luke 10. Moses Leota 11. James Fisher-Harris 12. Corey Harawira 13. Reed Izzard
Interchange: 14. Kade Ellis 15. Thompson Tuigamala 16. Paea Pua 17. Jake Ennis

1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jesse Bogle 3. Addison Demetriou 4. Jesse Ramien 5. Mitch Thomas 6. Will Pearsall 7. Riley Travers 8. Liam Knight 9. Hugh Pratt 10. Jesse Maxwell 11. Luke Garner 12. Billy Bainbridge 13. Darcy Cox
Interchange: 14. Nicholas Lynn 15. James Parker 16. Dallas Koen 17. Moses Noovao-McGreal 18. Jyi Seymour

Referees: Adam Gee, Peter Gough; Sideline Officials: Lawrence McDonnell, Anthony Elliott; Video Referees: Henry Perenara, Steve Chiddy;

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