Eels Blogs

Both are bottom-three, but there is nothing low-key about this iconic Western Showdown between old foes. The Eels seek to continue their upward trajectory to win 3-straight for the first time in two years. The Panthers, after a disastrous Bathurst trip, host the Eels in a vital match for the last-placed defending premiers.

Both welcome back their Origin stars. Mitchell Moses and Zac Lomax boost the Eels, while the Panthers welcome back their Big five - Dylan Edwards, Brian To'o, Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo - to make them warm favorites having dominated the Eels in recent seasons.

Team Lists

Panthers (17th) vs Eels (15th) Sunday, 1 June 2025, 4.05pm AEST at CommBank Stadium
Weather: Expected to be fine, 
Ground: Expected to be good
Sportsbet: $1.56 Penrith $2.42 Eels
Referees: Peter Gough (on-field referee), touch Judge: Liam Kennedy (touch judge), Grant Atkins (Senior Review Official)

Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Izack Tago 4. Casey McLean 5. Brian To’o 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo
Bench: 14. Luke Sommerton 15. Matt Eisenhuth 16. Luron Patea 21. Daine Laurie 
18th man: 17. Harrison Hassett 
Cut: 18. Brad Schneider 19. Riley Wake  20. Preston Riki  22. Jack Cole 23. Paul Alamoti 24. Austin Dias
Head Coach: Ivan Cleary

Eels: 1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Zac Lomax 3. Sean Russell 4. Jordan Samrani 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Jack Williams 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 11. Kelma Tuilagi 15. Luca Moretti 13. J’maine Hopgood
Bench: 14. Dylan Walker  12. Kitione Kautoga  16. Ryan Matterson 17. Joash Papali’i
18th man: 18. Matt Doorey 
Cut: 19. Joey Lussick 20. Toni Mataele 21. Dean Hawkins 22. Samuel Loizou
Head Coach: Jason Ryles

All seven NSW Origin Stars are backing up. 

Moretti starts, Tuilagi to the bench.  Laurie comes onto the bench.

Dean Hawkins was finally cut, and didn't play in reggies.

Stats That Matter

• The Panthers have dominated recently v Eels - they have won 4 of the last 6 
• The Panthers are winless at CommBank this year (0-3) 
• The Eels have won 3 of the last 4 at CommBank
• Brian To’o: 10 tries in 13 games vs Parramatta
• Eels are chasing 3 straight wins for the first time in 2 years since 2023

By the numbers

Here are the season's overall attack and defence rankings (R1-R12).

The Panthers' premiership-defence is a shadow of itself. 

For five years (2020-2024) they leaked between 11.90 to 16.42 pg. This year it's almost 25 pg.

That's their worst in 15 years, since 2008-09 when they were bottom-four defensively.

Pain and Promise

Here are snapshots of the seasons of both teams.

For both, it's been a tale of two seasons.

The first six weeks saw both hit rock-bottom. But since then, both have improved over the last six weeks.

Since round 7, the Eels are 2nd in defence and 7th in attack, while the Panthers are 4th in defence and 9th in attack. The ladder since then, would see the Eels fifth and Panthers seventh.

Last Week

The Eels looked electric in a 30–10 demolition of Manly — and they did it without Momax. It was their most complete performance of the season, possibly years.

Despite less possession (49%-51%), they dominated in the key areas with and without the ball — more go-forward (1884m to 1777m), more linebreaks (5-3), fewer errors (8-9). That's three wins from the four games they've had fewer mistakes than the opposition.

Meanwhile, the Panthers were poor. Missing their big five, were dominated 25-6 by the Knights - the worst attacking team in the comp.

The Panthers missed 50 tackles and were sliced open by Fletcher Sharp and Dylan Lucas (line breaks 9-2 to the Knights). Possession slipped away (46%-54%). They lost the metre battle (1751m-2125m). Their ball control was shaky (79% completions vs 85%, 10 errors to 8). Throw in more penalties conceded (8-7), and it was lights out.

Where is that ruthless, high-speed grind that made them four-time premiers and will it return? With five Origin reps, once they get cohesion with their young guns, it could. In a sense, cohesion and consistency with so many youngsters and changing players has been part of both the Eels and Panthers' issues this year.

The passion of the plentiful Eels' young guns has been a highlight of their big win last week and the Ryles rebuild. Is it all coming together and will we see continued resilience and consistency?

Final Word

Penrith will be desperate to reassert their authority after last week's stumble. Expect them to come out with intent, looking to remind everyone why they’ve been the benchmark for five years.

The Eels, meanwhile, are hunting redemption. After years in the doldrums, they’ve shown signs of life — and nothing would spark a revival like knocking off the reigning premiers.

There’s pride, points, and plenty at stake. Don’t blink — this one could erupt.

The Eels celebrate last win's big win over Manly with gutso.