LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
On Saturday, the NRL spotlight shines on two matchups: the Panthers against the Knights and the Roosters contesting the Sharks.
The Panthers will host their game at Carrington Park in Bathurst, a location where they have previously triumphed in six out of ten outings, the latest being a 22-6 victory over the Wests Tigers in Round 7 last year.
With key players such as Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo, Brian To'o, Dylan Edwards, and Liam Martin aiming for Origin selection with the Blues, the Panthers are poised to display their depth and continue their rise up the ladder.
In contrast, the Knights are struggling, having lost six of their last seven matches.
They will be challenged even further as they face the Panthers without their skipper Kalyn Ponga, leaving them in a difficult position to turn their fortunes around.
Meanwhile, the Roosters are gearing up to face the Sharks in Gosford, relying on the leadership of James Tedesco and Victor Radley.
This is particularly crucial given the absence of several Origin representatives, including Lindsay Collins, Angus Crichton, Robert Toia, Connor Watson, and Spencer Leniu.
Despite these challenges, the Roosters bring confidence into the match, having won their last four games at Industree Group Stadium.
As both matchups unfold, the stories of resilience, depth, and the quest for victory will be at the forefront of the action.