Kayo Stadium will play host to Sunday's Round 20 NRL game between Dolphins and Penrith Panthers. The game kicks off at 4:05 pm with Penrith Panthers heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Dolphins vs. Penrith Panthers game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Sunday July 16, 2023 at 4:05 pm
Where: Kayo Stadium
Bet: Bet On This Match HERE
Dolphins vs Penrith Panthers Odds
Dolphins vs Penrith Panthers Preview
The Dolphins have turned a corner in the past fortnight, but they still loom very much as outsiders in the Top 8 race – and a maiden clash with two-time premiers Penrith Panthers shapes as one of their most daunting assignments to date.
After some horrible defensive showings, the Dolphins were gallant in a 24-16 loss to Broncos and snapped a four-match slide with a thrilling 23-21 golden point defeat of the Titans as underdogs.
The Titans were missing half their starting pack due to Origin, but they nonetheless showed encouraging poise at times to fight back from 14-6 down at halftime and keep their nerve in the clutch.
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is expected to back up from Origin and will remain at centre with Valynce Te Whare demoted to the reserves. Felise Kaufusi’s return from concussion sees Kenny Bromwich go to prop and Josh Kerr drop to 18th man. Jeremy-Marshall King (shoulder) is still out.
The rep period has been more taxing on the Panthers than most – particularly with Nathan Cleary being sidelined since the early minutes of Round 14 – but the champs have won seven of their last eight with only blip a golden point loss to the Cowboys without their Blues contingent.
Prior to game two, the Panthers grinded out a brave 20-12 win over the Knights before rallying to a magnificent 34-16 win in Melbourne where the likes of centre Izack Tago stole the show.
NSW quartet Isaah Yeo, Liam Martin, Stephen Crichton and Brian To’o have been named for the Panthers, though Ivan Cleary has never been shy to rest his Origin stars.
Soni Luke and Jaeman Salmon come onto the bench for Zac Hosking and Tyrone Peachey, but the big news is Nathan Cleary being named in the reserves.
The biggest outsiders of the weekend at $5, the Dolphins will be looking to lean on a 2-0 record at Kayo Stadium and only one loss in nine matches in the greater Brisbane region by more than eight points.
Content provided by Ladbrokes
Head To Head Bet
We're tipping Penrith Panthers to win at $1.20 odds.
First Try Scorer
First Try Scorer: Brian To'o at $8.70.
Dolphins vs Penrith Panthers Teams
Dolphins team: 1. Kodi Nikorima 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Euan Aitken 4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 5. Tesi Niu 6. Isaiya Katoa 7. Sean O’Sullivan 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Harrison Graham 10. Kenny Bromwich 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Connelly Lemuelu 13. Ray Stone 14. Herman Ese’ese 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Anthony Milford 17. Jarrod Wallace 18. Josh Kerr 19. Valynce Te Whare 20. Poasa Faamausili 21. Brenko Lee 22. Kurt Donoghoe
Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Jack Cogger 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Soni Luke 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Jaeman Salmon 18. Zac Hosking 19. Matt Eisenhuth 20. Luke Garner 21. Tyrone Peachey 22. Thomas Jenkins 23. Jesse McLean 24. Nathan Cleary