Friday, 7.45pm, CUA Stadium
Referee: Gavin Badger

The Panthers desperately need to bounce back from three straight losses with a win against a Broncos outfit that has been decimated by State of Origin commitments and injury. Karmichael Hunt, Darius Boyd, Ben Hannant and Sam Thaiday have been lost to the Queensland side, and Darren Lockyer and Peter Wallace are out injured while Justin Hodges is suspended. The only player the Panthers have lost to Origin is Petero Civoniceva. They still have some injury problems, but at least they get prop Tony Puletua back after he missed last weekend's loss to the Dragons with a rib injury.

The Broncos were beaten by the Sharks before Origin I and the Dragons before Origin II. They have been known to bob up with a win occasionally over the years using a makeshift side during the Origin period and there is the potential for this to be one of those times if the Panthers aren't on their game, but if the Panthers get their act together they should be able to win at home. Panthers halfback Luke Lewis and their hard-running second-rowers, Frank Pritchard and Trent Waterhouse, hold the key. If those three make a significant impact, it should be enough to lead the Panthers to victory.

LATE MAIL
PENRITH fullback Rhys Wesser is a chance to make a stunning return from an abdominal tear against Brisbane tonight at CUA Stadium.

Wesser suffered the injury seven days ago against St George Illawarra and initially was expected to be sidelined for a month, but coach Matt Elliott named him to face the Baby Broncos.

"If he improves … as he has in the last 24 hours he's a chance," Elliott said.

Jarrod Sammut, on stand-by for Wesser, has overcome a corked hip while winger Luke Rooney (shoulder) has been cleared. Prop Tony Puletua has been named after a week off with a rib injury but will be given until just before kick-off to prove his fitness.

Former Panther Joel Clinton has been elevated to the Brisbane front row, with Nick Kenny dropping back to the interchange. Centre Joel Moon has been ruled out after injuring his hamstring at training on Wednesday. He has been replaced by Reece Robinson.
Glenn Jackson

PANTHERS: Rhys Wesser, Luke Rooney, Michael Jennings, Maurice Blair, Brad Tighe, Wade Graham, Luke Lewis, Tony Puletua, Keith Peters, Matthew Bell, Frank Pritchard, Trent Waterhouse, Nathan Smith. Interchange: Masada Iosefa, Tim Grant, Junior Moors, Shane Rodney, Jarrod Sammut (one to be omitted).

BRONCOS: Josh Hoffman, Denan Kemp, Reece Robinson, Nick Emmett, Kaine Manihera, PJ Marsh, Shane Perry, Joel Clinton, Michael Ennis, Ashton Sims, Corey Parker (capt), Greg Eastwood, Tonie Carroll. Interchange: Nick Kenny, David Taylor, Isaak Ah Mau, Andrew McCullough, Derrick Watkins (one to be omitted).