Panthers Take Key Lead Over Hurricanes in Eastern Conference Final Opener

The Penrith Panthers face a challenging Origin period as they prepare to play the Newcastle Knights, missing several key players including Nathan Cleary, Brian To’o, Dylan Edwards, Liam Martin, and Isaah Yeo due to representative duties. This has led to significant lineup changes with new players stepping into critical roles, and the Panthers currently sit 13th, needing a strong finish to reach the finals. Both teams have been impacted by Origin selections, which is expected to affect their attacking capabilities, making a low-scoring game likely based on recent history and weather conditions. The Knights, led by Kalyn Ponga, and Panthers, despite missing stars, have players like Fletcher Sharpe and Liam Henry expected to make notable contributions. The matchup is seen as pivotal for both teams with the Panthers seeking to improve their standings and the Knights aiming to capitalize on their relative stability during this period. Expert analysis suggests betting on under the total points scored could be favorable given the circumstances.