Trial, 2021: Penrith 16 Parramatta 6

NRL Team List: Panthers v Eels, Trial

Parramatta Eels Head Coach Brad Arthur has named his team to take on the Penrith Panthers in Saturday's trial at Panthers Stadium.

The Battle of the West starts with Jersey Flegg kicking off at 3:30pm on Saturday 27 February.

NSW Cup will play from 5:30pm, before the main event kicks off at 7:30pm.

Team List

1. Clint Gutherson

2. Maika Sivo

3. Tom Opacic

4. Waqa Blake

5. Blake Ferguson

6. Dylan Brown

7. Mitch Moses

8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard

9. Reed Mahoney

10. Junior Paulo

11. Shaun Lane

12. Ryan Matterson

13. Nathan Brown

14. Oregon Kaufusi

15. Isaiah Papali'i

16. Keegan Hipgrave

17. Marata Niukore

Panthers take early bragging rights over rivals Eels

Author
Alicia Newton
NRL.com Reporter

Penrith have tasted victory in their first 'battle of the west' clash with Parramatta of 2021, triumphing 16-6 in Saturday's trial match at Panthers Stadium.

With both western Sydney clubs fielding near full-strength teams for their only trial before round one, Pernith halves Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai crossed for tries either side of half-time to build a 12-0 lead.

Panthers hooker Api Koroisau was also at his weaving best as last year's grand finalists showed no signs of a 2020 hangover leading into their season opener against the Cowboys on March 13.

Parramatta coach Brad Arthur won't be too concerned with his team's trial efforts despite the scoreboard going against them.

Mitchell Moses and Clint Gutherson looked busy throughout the contest, while the Eels' much-highlighted defensive right edge showed positive signs of improvement.

Both teams blew off the cobwebs with end-to-end play in the opening half before Luai lit up the left edge with a typical light-footed effort to step inside two defenders on his way to the line.

Tensions simmered between Moses and Tyrone May before the break when the Eels halfback took exception to being hit in a tackle after placing a kick down-field.

Parramatta recruit Tom Opacic continued to push his case for the vacant right centre spot with a try-scoring effort off a Dylan Brown kick to get the visitors on the board with 16 minutes left.

In the opposing role, former Wests Tiger Paul Momirovski did his chances of locking in the Panthers' right centre spot no harm alongside Charlie Staines, who was solid without brilliant on the edge.

Fresh after re-signing with the Panthers on Friday, Luai was first to leave the field in the second half as Ivan Cleary turned to Bulldogs-bound Matt Burton for some much-needed game time.

The likes of Nathan Cleary, Gutherson, Moses and Brown soon followed Luai to the sidelines as the clock wound down.

Burton sealed the result late with a slick cut-out pass for Taylan May to cross in the corner.

Parramatta will travel to Suncorp Stadium for their season opener against Brisbane on March 12.