Each groups have caught with their chosen line-ups for the NRL Grand Last with each coaches resisting the urge to make late modifications.
Tyrone Peachey would be the 18th participant for Penrith whereas fellow veteran Corey Oates is the standby reserve for Brisbane.
Broncos prop Martin Taupau and Panthers ahead Matt Eisenhuth had been omitted from the ultimate squads an hour earlier than kick-off.
Penrith are taking pictures for a 3rd straight premiership whereas Brisbane have gotten their sights set on breaking their title drought which stretches all the way in which again to 2006.
The Broncos are the underdogs in a Grand Last for the primary time at Accor Stadium for Sunday’s 7.30pm showdown with the Panthers.
Each groups are at full power after Brisbane shook off just a few harm scares earlier within the week involving Herbie Farnworth (thigh), Reece Walsh (hamstring) and Payne Haas (finger).
Adam Gee will referee his first NRL Grand Last after a formidable season to leapfrog Gerard Sutton and Ashley Klein to be the sport’s top-rated whistleblower.
How they’ll line up
Penrith Panthers
Fullback: Dylan Edwards
Age: 27
NRL video games: 130
No participant is extra vital to the Panthers than their ever-reliable fullback. Penrith have gained 16 of their final 17 video games when Edwards has performed and his kick returns, defensive resolve and roving presence within the pink zone are all essential. Received the Clive Churchill Medal for his pivotal function in Penrith’s 2022 grand ultimate victory.
Wing: Sunia Turuva
Age: 21
NRL video games: 28
The one member of the Panthers’ beginning staff to not have gained a premiership already. Known as into the aspect after Taylan Could suffered a season-ending knee harm in February and hasn’t missed a beat. Grew to become the primary Panther since 1984 to win the Dally M rookie of the 12 months.
Centre: Izack Tago
Age: 21
NRL video games: 47
Accidents disrupted the again half of his season and he was caught out defensively for Melbourne’s solely attempt within the preliminary ultimate. However at his greatest, is among the many most well-rounded centres within the NRL. Skilled at proper centre earlier within the week regardless of spending a lot of the season on the left.
Centre: Stephen Crichton
Age: 23
NRL video games: 99
The grand ultimate can be his final sport for his junior membership earlier than becoming a member of Canterbury on a long-term deal. Has developed a fame as one of many NRL’s greatest big-game performers and will change into solely the second participant in premiership historical past to attain a attempt in 4 consecutive deciders.
Wing: Brian To’o
Age: 25
NRL video games: 92
It’s arduous to think about a winger extra vital to their staff than To’o is to the Panthers. Has scored six tries throughout his final three video games, taking his whole to a career-best 21 for the 12 months, and stays one of many NRL’s greatest gamers out of yardage.
5-eighth: Jarome Luai
Age: 26
NRL video games: 106
The flamboyant five-eighth has endured a tumultuous 12 months, being lower from the NSW State of Origin aspect and dislocating his shoulder late within the common season. Confirmed no indicators of his harm on return final week and stays the Panthers’ most unpredictable man with the footy.
Halfback: Nathan Cleary (co-captain)
Age: 25
NRL video games: 158
The Panthers’ sport supervisor can etch his title among the many all-time greats by turning into the primary halfback since Peter Sterling to spearhead three consecutive premiership victories. Has been his regular self since getting back from a hamstring harm in late July. His battle with fellow halfback Adam Reynolds can be must-watch rugby league.
Prop: Moses Leota
Age: 28
NRL video games: 148
James Fisher-Harris’s co-pilot up entrance and a vital cog within the center machine. Was massive for the Panthers in each earlier conferences with Brisbane this 12 months and should be at his greatest once more in the event that they’re to match it with the Broncos’ beginning center unit.
Hooker: Mitch Kenny
Age: 25
NRL video games: 82
As soon as Api Koroisau’s deputy, Kenny has change into the Panthers’ important man at dummy half this 12 months. Like Tago, harm hampered the tip of his season however he received by way of 80 minutes of labor within the preliminary ultimate and is more likely to see a number of time once more on Sunday.
Prop: James Fisher-Harris
Age: 27
NRL video games: 179
Rival props Payne Haas and Addin Fonua-Blake have grabbed the headlines this 12 months however Fisher-Harris stays very important to the Panthers’ hopes of profitable the battle within the center. His match-up with Haas will go an extended approach to deciding this sport.
Second Row: Scott Sorensen
Age: 30
NRL video games: 104
Has discovered a house on the left edge after two years nearly solely coming off the bench. Was considering a transfer to England, and even dropping out of the sport, on the finish of 2020, however now has the possibility to change into a three-time premiership participant.
Liam Martin. (Photograph by Cameron Spencer/Getty Photos)
Second Row: Liam Martin
Age: 26
NRL video games: 103
The Panthers’ agitator-in-chief will relish the possibility to mark up towards ex-teammate Kurt Capewell. Has put his harm frustrations of earlier within the season behind him to reassert his standing as one of many NRL’s greatest line-runners on an edge.
Lock: Isaah Yeo (co-captain)
Age: 28
NRL video games: 219
The center and soul of Penrith’s ahead pack. Match, highly effective and skilful regardless of his measurement, Yeo was immense within the preliminary ultimate defeat of Melbourne. The significance of his function as a hyperlink between the sides can’t be understated.
Interchange: Jack Cogger
Age: 26
NRL video games: 54
Returned to the NRL after two years in England and slotted seamlessly into the back-up playmaker function beforehand crammed by Sean O’Sullivan and Tyrone Could. Joins Newcastle subsequent 12 months for an opportunity to lock down a beginning spot within the halves.
Interchange: Lindsay Smith
Age: 23
NRL video games: 26
After two years on the fringes of the NRL staff, has lastly change into a mainstay in 2023 and has the possibility to cap a breakout 12 months with a premiership ring. Nonetheless looking his first NRL attempt.
Interchange: Spencer Leniu
Age: 23
NRL video games: 82
One other premiership-winning Panther getting ready to farewell his teammates. Has relished his function as Penrith’s firecracker from the bench and is chargeable for preserving the vitality up when Fisher-Harris goes off for his first relaxation.
Interchange: Luke Garner
Age: 28
NRL video games: 86
This ex-Tiger might go from wooden-spooner to premiership-winner within the house of a 12 months. Has been out and in of the aspect however beats fellow recruit Zac Hosking and veteran Tyrone Peachey for a spot on the bench.
18th Participant: Tyrone Peachey
Age: 32
NRL video games: 207
Will solely play within the occasion of a number of concussions, or if one is brought on by an act of foul play that leads to a sin-binning. It will be fairly the story if he made it onto the sphere and capped off his first 12 months again on the Panthers with a premiership ring.
Brisbane Broncos
Fullback: Reece Walsh
Age: 21
NRL video games: 59
The whiz child generally known as ‘Reece Lightning’ has taken the NRL by storm along with his electrical velocity and aptitude. The standard work he does for these round him is mirrored in his 35 line-break assists for the season.
Wing: Jesse Arthars
Age: 25
NRL video games: 60
The Auckland-born flyer has loved his greatest season, scoring 9 tries and including a steely method to his carries and defence. Has saved veteran Corey Oates out of the aspect, a testomony to the standard of his performances.
Centre: Kotoni Staggs
Age: 24
NRL video games: 99
Dreamed of taking part in for the Broncos whereas rising up in nation NSW, the rampaging centre prefers to run over individuals if he will get the possibility. Discovering extra space due to high quality ball from Walsh, he can be aiming to mark his milestone one hundredth sport with a win.
Centre: Herbie Farnworth
Age: 23
NRL video games: 78
Named within the Dally M staff of the 12 months, the England worldwide is the very definition of a strike centre. His explosive velocity, silky footwork and energy may give any defensive position nightmares.
Wing: Selwyn Cobbo
Age: 21
NRL video games: 48
The Cherbourg-raised flyer is a descendant of legendary Aboriginal quick bowler Eddie Gilbert. Performs with an enormous smile on his face, notably whereas scoring tries – at which he has confirmed adept with 37 to his credit score, 20 of these this season.
5-eighth: Ezra Mam
Age: 20
NRL video games: 37
For such a younger man the Goodna Eagles junior performs with the knowledge of a veteran. The sunshine-stepping playmaker has velocity and immaculate timing along with his passes however can also be a powerhouse defensively. Can razzle-dazzle with the perfect of them whereas additionally a robust choice maker.
Halfback: Adam Reynolds (captain)
Age: 33
NRL video games: 273
The grasp and commander of the Broncos outfit. When instances are robust, it’s the 2014 premiership winner’s calm head that reigns supreme. Has top-of-the-line kicking video games within the NRL and is aware of what it takes to win on the most important stage.
Prop: Thomas Flegler
Age: 24
NRL video games: 95
The powerhouse prop is heading to the Dolphins subsequent 12 months however needs to depart with a premiership ring. Hailing from a banana-farming household in far north Queensland, the Maroons warhorse has made large strides along with his self-discipline and effectiveness this season.
Hooker: Billy Walters
Age: 29
NRL video games: 60
A late bloomer, the son of coach Kevin Walters has claims to being one of many most-improved gamers within the NRL this 12 months. Previously performed within the halves however has made the hooking function his personal by posing a risk out of dummy-half and including grit to his defence.
Prop: Payne Haas
Age: 23
NRL video games: 103
The chief of the ahead pack and top-of-the-line front-rowers within the sport, the four-time Broncos participant of the 12 months churns out massive minutes with most impression. The hole between his greatest and worst sport is tiny and most of his performances put him within the man of the match dialog.
Second Row: Kurt Capewell
Age: 30
NRL video games: 138
Received a premiership with Penrith in 2021 earlier than re-joining the Broncos, the place he began profession within the under-20s. Certainly one of simply two gamers within the staff to have gained a grand ultimate, the big-game nous and work fee of the Charleville-born veteran can be very important.
Second Row: Jordan Riki
Age: 23
NRL video games: 66
The jury was out on the standard of the strapping second-rower final 12 months however the New Zealand-born ahead has turned himself right into a fearless performer. Among the finest kick-chase exponents within the sport and an excellent line runner who poses a real attacking risk.
Patrick Carrigan. (Photograph by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Photos)
Lock: Pat Carrigan
Age: 25
NRL video games: 82
Named the Dally M lock of the 12 months, which was important given he edged out one among his function fashions and his reverse quantity on Sunday, Isaah Yeo. A physiotherapist by commerce, after struggling a season-ending knee harm in 2021 he has re-emerged as the final word lock ahead.
Interchange: Tyson Smoothy
Age: 24
NRL video games: 16
One of many unsung heroes of the Broncos’ premiership quest, the previous Melbourne rake’s job is to return on, deal with like a demon and supply silky service. He’s been doing that ever since breaking into the aspect in spherical 15.
Interchange: Brendan Piakura
Age: 21
NRL video games: 14
Has made six line breaks in his 12 video games this 12 months, which is a tribute to his sport sense and line working. Wiry however arduous as nails within the defensive position.
Interchange: Kobe Hetherington
Age: 24
NRL video games: 54
Often called the resident ‘cattledog’ of the aspect, the son of 1995 Canterbury premiership winner Jason Hetherington is adept at cleansing up within the ruck and reducing ball runners in half.
Interchange: Keenan Palasia
Age: 26
NRL video games: 52
Has fought again from a number of knee accidents early in his profession to be some of the efficient bench props within the sport. Comes on and offers the Broncos actual momentum when the beginning middles want a relaxation.
18th Participant: Corey Oates
Age: 28
NRL video games: 201
A season hampered by harm within the early rounds value the veteran a spot within the 17 however the former Queensland winger remains to be a handful along with his robust carries and large body.
(with AAP)
