BlueBet Stadium will play host to Saturday's Round 13 NRL game between Penrith Panthers and St. George Illawarra Dragons. The game kicks off at 5:30 pm with Penrith Panthers heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Penrith Panthers vs. St. George Illawarra Dragons game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Saturday June 1, 2024 at 5:30 pm
Where: BlueBet Stadium
Bet: Bet On This Match HERE
Penrith Panthers vs St. George Illawarra Dragons Odds
Penrith Panthers vs St. George Illawarra Dragons Preview
The Origin drain will be keenly felt in this Saturday night showdown, while Penrith and St George Illawarra are coming off starkly different Round 12 experiences.
Panthers quintet Dylan Edwards, Brian Too, Jarome Luai, Liam Martin and Isaah Yeo are in the NSW team, replaced by Daine Laurie, Jesse McLean, Brad Schneider, Liam Henry and Lindsay Smith, respectively.
Tren Toelau, Preston Riki, Mavrik Geyer and Tyrone Peachey make up an all-new bench.
The Dragons also have significant disruptions with Max and Mat Feagai and Sione Finau coming into the backline with Zac Lomax debuting for the Blues and Mikaele Ravalawa and Jack Bird injured.
Jesse Marschke is the No.7 for Ben Hunt and Luciano Leilua starts for recalled Queenslander Jaydn SuA.
The Panthers made a huge statement in the wake of their stunning, sloppy 22-20 Magic Round defeat to the Warriors, pumping competition leader Cronulla 42-0.
Luai, Yeo and Edwards led the way but the likes of Mitch Kenny, James Fisher-Harris, Smith and Henry also played impressive roles and will be fired up to fill the representative breach for the hosts.
The Dragons inscrutable nature is getting increasingly difficult to get a read on.
Despite some superb wins in an improved campaign under Shane Flanagan, they have now lost three of their last four courtesy of a horrendous 44-12 loss to the Bulldogs last week coming off a bye.
In one of the most inexcusable defensive displays of the season, the Saints were outscored 38-0 in the second half and offered next to no resistance.
The Panthers are on a six-match winning streak against the Dragons, though last seasons non-Origin-affected Round 14 clash finished just 26-18 at Penrith.
Penrith is the $1.35 favourite a reflection of the premiers depth, as well as St George Illawarras unreliable form.
The Panthers are well-versed with grafting out wins with a low-profile support cast stepping up to the plate and they should do so again with the Dragons missing their two best.
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Penrith Panthers vs St. George Illawarra Dragons Tip
We're tipping Penrith Panthers to win at $1.32 odds.
Penrith Panthers vs St. George Illawarra Dragons Teams
Panthers team: 1. Daine Laurie 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Jesse McLean 6. Jack Cole 7. Brad Schneider 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Henry 13. Lindsay Smith 14. Trent Toelau 15. Preston Riki 16. Mavrik Geyer 17. Tyrone Peachey 18. Isaiah Iongi 19. Ativalu Lisati 20. Luron Patea 21. Luke Sommerton 22. Casey McLean
Dragons team: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Sione Finau 3. Moses Suli 4. Max Feagai 5. Mathew Feagai 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Jesse Marschke 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Jack de Belin 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 13. Tom Eisenhuth 14. Blake Lawrie 15. Ben Murdoch-Masila 16. Toby Couchman 17. Ryan Couchman 18. Fa’amanu Brown 19. Michael Molo 20. Alec Tuitavake 21. Christian Tuipulotu 22. Mikaele Ravalawa