After breaking their finals hoodoo by beating the Cowboys, the challenge now facing the Sharks is to go up another couple of levels to try and take down the defending premiers.
With Braydon Trindall producing one of the finest performances of his career, the Sharks got home 26-18 to move into their first preliminary final since 2018, where they were eliminated by the Storm.
Trindall and halves partner Nicho Hynes will again need to stand tall in their match-up with Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai if the Sharks are to keep alive the dream of a second premiership to go with the 2016 triumph.
The Panthers arrive at their fifth consecutive preliminary final in good shape with Cleary all the better for the run against the Roosters and back-rower Scott Sorensen looking likely to return from a hamstring injury.
The chance to claim a slice of history with a fourth premiership on the trot is a powerful motivator for the Panthers, who are looking to send Jarome Luai, James Fisher-Harris and Sunia Turuva off on a winning note.
The two sides have met just once before in a final, with the Sharks prevailing 21-20 in 2018 on the back of a Chad Townsend field goal.
Match: Panthers v Sharks
Finals Week 3 -
home Team
Panthers
2nd Position
away Team
Sharks
4th Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Stat Attack
- The Panthers have won seven of their past eight games against the Sharks.
- The Sharks have been outscored 70-0 in their past two clashes against the Panthers.
- The Panthers are aiming for a premiership record 11th straight finals win.
- Sharks halfback Nicho Hynes will make his 100th NRL appearance.
- Panthers captain Isaah Yeo will break the club’s all-time appearance record of 243 games.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
