<p>The second NRL Preliminary Final this weekend sees the Panthers vs the Sharks at Accor Stadium.</p> <p>After breaking their finals hoodoo and finally winning another finals game on their eighth attempt last week, the Sharks are looking to advance to their first Grand Final since 2016.</p> <p>Meanwhile the Panthers are looking to continue their mission of having more rings than a J.R.R Tolkien novel as they aim for the fifth straight decider and fourth straight premiership.</p> <p>Can they be stopped? And if so, are the Sharks the team capable of doing so? There’s only one way to find out.</p> <p>For the latest news, analysis, players to watch, betting tips odds and more for this Preliminary Final, check out our Panthers vs Sharks predictions and preview below.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Panthers vs Sharks Preview</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Heading into this game, the Sharks will be looking to adopt a “if it bleeds, we can kill it” mentality.</p> <p>But does it bleed? Well, Penrith have tasted defeat on no less than seven occasions this season. Only one time less than the Sharks.</p> <p>However, only two of those defeats came with Nathan Cleary in the side and both of them were against eventual minor premiers Melbourne. He’s back now and as a result Penrith have been looking better than ever.</p> <p>They certainly didn’t bleed back in round 12 this year. No, they did quite the opposite. They trounced Cronulla 42-0 in fact, at Shark Park no less. That was the only occasion both teams have faced off in 2024 and it certainly does not bode well for Cronulla.</p> <p>Also, no, Cleary did not feature in that match. Gulp.</p> <p>Sharks often attack when there’s blood in the water, the only question is whose blood will it be? Let’s take a look at some of the players who will help determine the victor of this contest.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Players to Watch</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Jarome Luai</h3> <p>For all the praise and talk around Nathan Cleary, there is no denying in his final season for the club, Jarome Luai has been the Panther’s star who has shined the brightest this season.</p> <p>Off to the Tigers in ‘25, this game could be the Penrith junior’s final game at the foot of the mountains and after starring all season for club and state, don’t expect him to go quietly.</p> <p>There’s no doubt Jarome wants one more ring before he retires from finals footy, sorry, joins the Tigers, and in order to get number four, he and his teammates need to win this game first.</p>

<h3>Nicho Hynes</h3> <p>The man who is usually in competition with Jarome Luai for NSW’s no.6 jersey, Nicho Hynes, will be looking to prove to selectors they have been picking the wrong man.</p> <p>After a season disrupted by injuries, the former Dally M medalist seems to be fit and firing again. He’ll be desperate to silence his doubters and prove he can do the business in big games and games don’t come much bigger than this!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Luke Garner</h3> <p>Talk about an unsung hero. Originally intended as a squad player, who then forced his way into Penrith’s starting side as Viliame Kikau’s replacement, Luke Garner has become one of the NRL’s most effective running back rowers.</p> <p>He crossed for a late double against the Roosters in week one of the finals and will be hungry for more meat pies here.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Braydon Trindall</h3> <p>Time spent on the sideline thanks to an off-field indiscretion seems to have galvanised the Sharks no.6 and he’s started stepping up to the plate more and more as this season has progressed.</p> <p>Last week’s drought breaking elimination final win against the Cowboys was his crowning moment as he turned in a man of the match display to guide his side through to this game.</p> <p>If Cronulla are to somehow upset Penrith, the man they call Tricky Trindall will need to pull more than a few rabbits out of his hat.</p>

<h2>Panthers vs Sharks Prediction and Betting Tips</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Head-to-Head Prediction</h3> <p>Everyone loves an underdog, but when that underdog is up against the greatest footy side of modern times, they become almost impossible to back.</p> <p>Penrith are overwhelming favourites in the H2H market, and you’ll hear no complaints from us. They’ve simply been in the position too many times. They’ve won their last four preliminary finals and are odds on here to make it five.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Penrith Panthers.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>First Try Scorer Prediction</h3> <p>The smart move here is to pick a Panther to get the party started. Representative winger and certified metre&nbsp;eater Brain To’o loves eating meat pies too. Look to him to dive over in the corner in the early stages.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Brian To’o.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Over/Under Prediction</h3> <p>The last meeting between these two sides fell just under the total points threshold of 42.5. Only half a point away! What a thriller! Not exactly.</p> <p>Penrith won that match 42-0. We expect Penrith to bring the style once again, but also for the Sharks to contribute to the scoreboard on at least a few occasions. If it’s a dry track, there could be plenty of points in this one.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Over total match points.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Panthers vs Sharks Match Details</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Date:</strong> Saturday, September 28, 2024.</p> <p><strong>Kick-off:</strong> 7:50pm AEST.</p> <p><strong>Location:</strong> Accor Stadium, Sydney.</p>