Friday, CUA Stadium, 7:45pm
Referee: Gavin Badger

The Panthers valiantly fought their way back into the top eight with a courageous win on the road against the Eels last weekend and will start warm favourites at home against a Knights side that will again be without State of Origin stars Danny Buderus and Ben Cross. The Knights struggled without the pair at home against the Dragons last weekend, falling behind 24-0 before eventually losing 24-16. Kurt Gidley, switched to hooker for the Knights, tried his heart out, but couldn't get enough support in the playmaking department. The Knights are going to need young halves Chris Bailey and Jarrod Mullen to find their best form if they are to keep their finals hopes alive by winning this game.

The Panthers are fortunate they don't rely too much on one or two players. They have potential matchwinners spread throughout their side, including the likes of Rhys Wesser, Michael Jennings and Luke Lewis, in the backs, and Frank Pritchard and Trent Waterhouse in the forwards. Plus, the rookies they have recently introduced to first grade - Lachlan Coote, Wade Graham and Masada Iosefa - have shown they are up to it and have improved with each game. The only worry is that the Panthers have shown a tendency to lose games they should win. They need to commit for 80 minutes to make sure they get the job done here.

LATE MAIL
Knights prop Danny Wicks is in doubt for tonight's clash against Penrith after twisting his ankle at training yesterday.

Coach Brian Smith said: "He'll be in some doubt, he didn't complete the session." After visiting the team physio, Wicks is expected to play - as is five-eighth Chris Bailey, who was also unable to take part in yesterday's final training run.

"He's had the flu for the last couple of days," Smith said.

After being given four days off, Panthers captain Petero Civoniceva returned to training yesterday but declined to comment on the apology issued to him by a Parramatta fan banned for five years from NRL matches for racially abusing the Test prop.
Nathan Ryan

PANTHERS: Rhys Wesser, Lachlan Coote, Michael Jennings, Maurice Blair, Brad Tighe, Wade Graham, Luke Lewis, Tony Puletua, Masada Iosefa, Petero Civoniceva (capt), Frank Pritchard, Trent Waterhouse, Nathan Smith. Interchange: Matthew Bell, Junior Moors, Tim Grant, Luke Priddis, Michael Gordon (one to be omitted)

KNIGHTS: Wes Naiqama, James McManus, Junior Sau, Adam MacDougall, Cooper Vuna, Chris Bailey, Jarrod Mullen, Daniel Tolar, Kurt Gidley, Mark Taufua, Steve Simpson (capt), Cory Paterson, Zeb Taia. Interchange: Richard Fa'aoso, Danny Wicks, Chris Houston, Cameron Ciraldo, Scott Dureau. (one to be omitted)