Panthers coach Ivan Cleary could be hatching a plan to stop Broncos young gun Reece Walsh in his tracks.
Meanwhile, the Broncos will likely remain to 1-17 although they could pull a late switch come game day.
Read on for all of the latest grand final team news.
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Penrith Panthers vs Brisbane Broncos — 7.30pm AEST at Accor Stadium
Last week’s Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Jack Cogger 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Luke Garner
Team Tips: The Panthers are unlikely to make any changes ahead of their grand final clash, however Ivan Cleary could pull one switch if he wants an injection of brute force on his bench. Luke Garner was a shock inclusion for the Panthers’ finals clash against the Warriors. With Izack Tago still out, he was the man tasked with filling the hole. But now Tago got through 80 minutes against the Storm, Garner may not be needed on the bench which could see Zac Hosking return. Hosking was Cleary’s first-choice replacement in the backrow and could also provide a punch in the middle. He has also played a handful of games in the centres and could do a job if anyone goes down injured. Interestingly, against the Storm, Stephen Crichton played on the left side of the field. Tago had previously partnered Sunia Turuva as the left-side edge backs, but shifted to the right next to Brian To’o. Penrith’s coaching staff could be preparing for Crichton to face Reece Walsh’s sweeping right side raids head on, hoping to stop the young fullback and winger Selwyn Cobbo in their tracks. Cleary could have also wanted to space out both Jarome Luai and Tago, removing the need for two players returning from injures to have to defend alongside each other.
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Last week’s Broncos team: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Jesse Arthars 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Thomas Flegler 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Tyson Smoothy 15. Brendan Piakura 16. Kobe Hetherington 17. Keenan Palasia
Team Tips: The Broncos will likely also name the same 17 players who took the field against the Warriors. Kevin Walters could pull a late switch and start either Kobe Hetherington or Keenan Palasia at prop, taking the stint out of the clash before Tom Flegler comes on against a tiring Panthers pack.
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