Jerseys
Predicted Line Up
1. Dylan Edwards, 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3. Dean Whare, 4. Waqa Blake, 5. Josh Mansour, 6. James Maloney, 7. Nathan Cleary, 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. James Tamou, 11. Tyrell Fuimaono,* 12. Isaah Yeo, 13. James Fisher-Harris. Interchange: 14. Tyrone May, 15. Hame Sele , 16. Jack Hetherington, 17. Moses Leota
*Viliame Kikau - Kikau sustained a knee injury in Penrith's trial against South Sydney. Scans will reveal the extent of the injury.
Key Player
Nathan Cleary – Playing under his father, it will be Nathan’s job to steer this talent team to glory in 2019.
One to Watch
Dylan Edwards – Edwards is a strong runner of the ball, a great tackle breaker, and the best support player in the NRL.
Rising Star
Caleb Aekins – Aekins was outstanding on debut last season, making 27 runs for 303.4 meters, as well as breaking seven tackles. He’s a ready made first grader, and just waiting for a chance to wear the Panthers #1 jersey.
Predicted Top Try Scorer
Josh Mansour (16)
Goal Kickers
1. Nathan Cleary, 2. James Maloney, 3. Jarome Luai.
SuperCoach
The Guns
Nathan Cleary ($577,000 | HFB) – With 50% of Cleary’s scores in the last two seasons being 70+ and 79% being 50+, Nathan Cleary is the best halfback in SuperCoach.
Viliame Kikau ($570,400 | 2RF) – Big Billy only scored over 50 base points in two games last season, but he made up for this with his tackle busting and offloading, scoring nearly 20 PPG in evasive statistics.
The PODs
Dylan Edwards ($473,700 | FLB) – With an average base of 30 PPG and average of 15 evasive PPG last season, Edwards is a excellent option given his price tag, especially considering the Panther’s favourable draw to start the season.
Josh Mansour ($459,200 | CTW) – Mansour’s 2018 season was another one plagued by injury. He is a former SuperCoach gun, who has a great base and breaks tackles. He starts 2019 relatively cheap, and with the Panthers favourable early season draw, Mansour could be a beneficiary.
Isaah Yeo ($532,200 | 2RF) – Yeo went under the rader last season, but performed really well. He scored 50+ points in 84% of his games as a 60+ minute backrower, averaging 60.4 PPG. This season, he will almost certainly average 70+ minutes per game, and will rotate between the right edge and lock. Going into the 2019 season, he is a massive pod, but a very safe pick.
The Cheapies
Wayde Egan ($232,200 | HOK) – The rumours out of Penrith are than Egan will be given first crack at the Panthers’ vacant #9 jersey. Scoring 56 points in his only start last season, and with a PPM of 0.90, Egan should score well and earn good cash if he gets the start.
Tyrell Fuimaono ($231,600 | CTW/2RF) – Phil Gould has stated that he sees Fuimaono as a edge backrower first, and a centre second, so depending on the extent of Kikau's injury, Fuimaono could be starting come round 1. With a PPM of 0.69 as a starting backrower, he could score around 40-45 PPG if he plays 60 minutes, which should see a rise of around 100k. However, if Kikau will return from injury before round 3, Fuimaono will remain an irrelevant SuperCoach asset.
Avoid
James Fisher-Harris ($458,100 | 2RF/FRF) – Scoring between 35-55 points in 74% of his games at lock last season, JFH is consistent, but isn’t currently a very good SuperCoach option.
James Maloney ($458,500 | 5/8) – With Nathan Cleary in the side, Maloney’s role is diminished in attack, and with a shocking base and not goal kicking anymore, don’t buy James Maloney.
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