NRL in Bathurst: Penrith Panthers bring big league back to Carrington Park

So what do you need to know before you take in the action?

THE Penrith Panthers are not only the undefeated leaders of the NRL this season, but Ivan Cleary's side has won 24 of 25 stretching back to round six last season.

When it comes to playing the Sea Eagles, the Panthers have won 10 of their past 12 regular season clashes.

SINCE 2019 the Sea Eagles have won 76 percent of their games with star fullback Tom Trbojevic in their line-up.

He was missing due to injury in round four when the Panthers crushed Manly 46-6, but since his return a fortnight ago has been in brilliant form.

Trbojevic has scored two tries, set up six others and made 378 running metres.

IT was 2014 when the Penrith Panthers last faced a fellow Sydney club at Carrington Park - on that occasion they suffered an 18-16 loss to Cronulla.

The following year Penrith trounced Gold Coast 40-0 in their Bathurst match then against the Canberra Raiders in both 2016 (19-18 win) and 2017 (24-20) the venue was again a happy hunting ground.

In their two games at Carrington since the Panthers have come up empty-handed, losing 26-20 to the Cowboys in 2018 and outclassed 32-2 by Melbourne Storm in 2019.

DUE to coronavirus restrictions, Bathurst's premier rugby league venue has been capped at 5,800 for the blockbuster match.

It means unless you have pre-purchased a ticket, you won't be able to attend.

For those who have tickets, parking will be in Hereford Street. From there you can walk or catch the free council shuttle bus.

THE gates at Carrington Park will open at 10.45am on Saturday and while the NRL match will be the highlight, it is not the only league fixture to be staged.

At 10.55am the two-times Group 10 premier league defending premiers Bathurst Panthers will do battle with Orange CYMS.

Doug Hewitt's Panthers will be looking to build on their season-opening win over St Pat's.

They've already beaten CYMS at Carrington Park this year, downing them 24-20 in the pre-season knockout.

Following that at 12.40pm is a NSW Cup game between the Penrith Panthers and Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles.

The Penrith team in that clash includes Wellington native Brent Naden, the 25-year-old talent who this week signed a two-year deal with the Bulldogs starting next season.

The main game between the Penrith Panthers and Manly Sea Eagles kicks off at 3pm.

Gates at he venue will close at the conclusion of that game - between 4.45pm-5pm.

PENRITH PANTHERS: 1 Dylan Edwards, 2 Charlie Stanies, 3 Stephen Crichton, 4 Matt Burton, 5 Brian To'o, 6 Jarome Luai, 7 Nathan Cleary, 8 Moses Leota, 9 Apisai Koroisau, 10 James Fisher-Harris, 11 Viliame Kikau, 12 Kurt Capewell, 13 Isaah Yeo. Interchange: 14 Tyrone May, 15 Spence Leniu, 16 Matt Eisenhuth, 17 Liam Martin.

MANLY SEA EAGLES: 1 Tom Trbojevic, 2 Jason Saab, 3 Brad Parker, 4 Morgan Harper, 5 Reuben Garrick, 6 Kieran Foran, 7 Daly Cherry-Evans, 8 Taniela Paseka, 9 Lachlan Croker, 10 Martin Taupau, 11 Haumole Olakau'atu, 12 Josh Schuster, 13 Jake Trbojevic. Interchange: 14 Cade Cust, 15 Josh Aloiai, 16 Sean Keppie, 17 Toafofoa Sipley.

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