Penrith Panthers Season Preview

Key Player:  James Maloney

Rising star: Viliame Kikau

Predicted top try scorer: Josh Mansour (13)

Goal-kicker: Nathan Cleary

Biggest fixtures: Round 9 vs Cowboys (H), Round 15 vs Roosters (A), Round 20 vs Panthers (A)

Predicted line up:

Fullback - Dylan Edwards

Wing - Josh Mansour

Centre - Waqa Blake

Centre - Dean Whare

Wing - Dallin Watene-Zelezniak*

Five-eighth - James Maloney

Halfback - Nathan Cleary

Prop - James Tamou

Hooker - Peter Wallace

Prop - Reagan Campbell-Gillard

Second-row - Isaah Yeo

Second-row - Corey Harawira-Naera*

Lock - Trent Merrin

Interchange - Viliame Kikau

Interchange - James Fisher-Harris

Interchange - Tim Browne

Interchange - Tyrone Peachey

*Dallin Watene-Zelezniak expected back in round 2. In his absence, Tyrone Peachey will play at centre, with Dean Whare or Waqa Blake on the wing.
*Corey Harawira-Naera not expected to be ready to start come round 1. Instead, he will play from the bench to start the season, with Viliame Kikau starting.

Top 3 SuperCoach assets: Nathan Cleary ($620,500), Josh Mansour ($451,900), Trent Merrin ($518,300)

Jerseys:

                         Home                                                    Away

                                                      Alternate

Predicted finish: 4^th