NRL Match Preview: Raiders v Panthers

With the Raiders making a late charge for the finals following four consecutive wins, they will look to carry momentum into their crucial clash in regional NSW.

The Panthers won their round 21 clash 24-18 in a tight contest against the Parramatta Eels.

For the Green Machine, they had a dominant 56-10 win over the Wests Tigers last weekend, claiming a big victory at home.

Panthers have named a relatively unchanged side, with fullback Dylan Edwards still sidelined with a shoulder injury, so young gun Jaxen Edgar gets the call-up for the second week running, and Jack Cogger taking over for Blaize Talagi in five-eighth.

Canberra will get a huge boost in the spine with Owen Pattie returning from suspension, which will see Tom Starling go back to the bench. Ata Mariota has been named in the second row in place of Noah Martin, who is out for four weeks with a quad injury.

Talking points:

• Panthers have won six of their last eight games against the Raiders.
• The Raiders have scored 154 points in four consecutive wins.
• Raiders winger Xavier Savage has scored five tries in his last five games.
• Panthers winger Brian To’o will make his 150th NRL appearance.

Last time they met:

The Panthers defeated the Raiders 30-18 in Round 10, 2026 at GIO Stadium

It’s a good measuring stick for us; they are at the top of the ladder, and it’s a must-win game for us. We need to win to keep our season alive; it’s all systems go here

Tom Starling #362

Key Matchup: Ethan Sanders v Nathan Cleary

Saturday’s match will highlight two in-from halves of the competition, with Ethan Sanders and Nathan Cleary coming head-to-head.

With Cleary having an impressive resume to his name, he has once again been one of the best players in the competition, guiding Penrith to the top of the ladder and NSW to a State of Origin series win.

Meanwhile, Ethan Sanders is putting his name forward for NRL Rookie of the Year after guiding the Raiders to some dominant wins as they push for the top eight.

Despite the immense pressure he has had in his first full season in the NRL, he has proven himself week after week.

With 143 points being scored so far this season, over 8000 kicking metres racked up and a 78% conversion rate, the 22-year-old puts his heart and soul into every match.

The last time these two came up against one another was in Round 10, 2026 at GIO Stadium. Cleary finished with 14 points, crossing for a try and kicking five conversions and adding 511 kicking metres from 16 kicks throughout the eighty minutes.

Meanwhile, Sanders matched him every step of the way, scoring 10 points through a try and three conversions while producing 643 kicking metres from 20 kicks.

These two players will bring a rookie v veteran energy to this match, with Cleary bringing the composure of an established player while Sanders arrives with the confidence and form of a rising playmaker determined to prove he belongs amongst the game’s best.