Match Preview: NRL Round 9 vs Panthers

Author: Manly Media
Timestamp: Wed 29 Apr 2026, 01:02 PM

Manly Warringah Sea Eagles take on the Penrith Panthers at CommBank Stadium on Sunday night in Round 9 of the NRL Telstra Premiership.

Round 9 - Round 9 - Sunday 3 May

8:15 am

Panthers

Sea Eagles

Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney

WatchNRL

Team Lists Get Tickets

For Manly this is an opportunity to topple the best, to beat the competition front-runners and make it five wins on the trot.

Manly has made a terrific start to life under ‘Foz’, winning all four games since Kieran 'FOUR-an 0' was handed the clipboard.

Sunday’s first win of the season ‘at home’ over the Eels followed victories on the road against the Dolphins, Cowboys, and Dragons.

Haumole Olakau'atu made 229 run metres and nine tackle breaks against the Eels

The Panthers were back to their best last weekend in Newcastle, thumping the Knights 44-12 with fullback Dylan Edwards bagging a first half hat-trick.

They went into that game off a golden-point win over the Dolphins which followed their only loss so far this season, against the Bulldogs in Round 6.

Dylan Edwards scored three tries in the first 20 minutes against the Knights in Round 8

Like most teams in the NRL, Manly’s record against the Panthers in recent years isn’t so flash.

That said, the Sea Eagles were too good for the Panthers when these teams last met around the same time last season, at the same venue, beating the four-time back-to-back premiers 26-10.

Reuben Garrick has scored eight tries in his last eight games at CommBank Stadium.

In team news, just the one change for Manly with Nathan Brown replacing Corey Waddell (ruptured pec) on the interchange. Blake Wilson and Jackson Shereb were also named on the extended bench.

For the Panthers there are no changes from the side that beat the Knights in Round 8.

For the record, the last time Manly strung five wins together was in 2017. Should the Sea Eagles get up on Sunday it will be 3229 days since the Club's last five-game winning streak.

Team Lists

Round 9 - Round 9 - Sunday 3 May

8:15 am

Panthers

Sea Eagles

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan Edwards

Fullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Tolutau Koula
Winger for Panthers is number 2 Thomas Jenkins

Winger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Jason Saab
Centre for Panthers is number 3 Paul Alamoti

Centre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Clayton Faulalo
Centre for Panthers is number 4 Casey McLean

Centre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Reuben Garrick
Winger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'o

Winger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Lehi Hopoate
Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Blaize Talagi

Five-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Luke Brooks
Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Nathan Cleary

Halfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Jamal Fogarty

Forwards

Prop for Panthers is number 8 Moses Leota

Prop for Sea Eagles is number 8 Taniela Paseka
Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Freddy Lussick

Hooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Brandon Wakeham
Prop for Panthers is number 10 Lindsay Smith

Prop for Sea Eagles is number 10 Kobe Hetherington
2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Isaiah Papali'i

2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Haumole Olakau'atu
2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Luke Garner

2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Ben Trbojevic
Lock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah Yeo

Lock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Jake Trbojevic

Interchange

Interchange for Panthers is number 14 Jack Cogger

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 Jake Simpkin
Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Scott Sorensen

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Nathan Brown
Interchange for Panthers is number 16 Kalani Going

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 16 Ethan Bullemor
Interchange for Panthers is number 17 Billy Phillips

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 17 Siosiua Taukeiaho
Interchange for Panthers is number 18 Izack Tago

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 18 Blake Wilson
Interchange for Panthers is number 19 Jack Cole

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 19 Jackson Shereb

Reserves

Reserve for Panthers is number 20 Luron Patea

Reserve for Sea Eagles is number 20 Joey Walsh
Reserve for Panthers is number 21 Billy Scott

Reserve for Sea Eagles is number 21 Simione Laiafi
Reserve for Panthers is number 22 Sione Fonua

Reserve for Sea Eagles is number 22 Zach Dockar-Clay

Billy Scott
Luron Patea
Sione Fonua

Blake Wilson
Jackson Shereb
Joey Walsh
Nathan Brown
Zach Dockar-Clay

Corey Waddell
Josh Feledy

Match Officials

Referee: Wyatt Raymond
Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
Touch Judge: Jon Stone
Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Last updated: 4/28/2026 6:52:23 AM

Stat Zone

The Panthers have won nine of their last 11 games against the Sea Eagles.
The Sea Eagles have won three from three away from home this season.
The Panthers have won eight of their last nine games at CommBank Stadium.
Sea Eagles centre Reuben Garrick has scored eight tries in his last eight games at CommBank Stadium.
Panthers utility Jack Cogger will make his 100th NRL appearance.

Stats courtesy David Middleton, NRL.