Unlucky Parramatta center Tom Opacic has been named on the reserve list as injury looks set to rob him of a grand final.
Instead, the Eels have named Bailey Simonsson at center for Sunday’s game. Opacic was ruled out of last week’s preliminary final and limped off a fitness test in training on Monday.
Penrith have also been dealt a blow ahead of the NRL grand final with star winger Taylan May ruled out.
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May injured his hamstring during the Panthers’ qualifying final win over Parramatta.
He was also suspended for one game for a high tackle in that win. But it is his hamstring that will keep him out of the top-flight decider, with the club announcing he will not be fit to take the pitch at the Accor Stadium.
Taylan May of the Panthers has been ruled out of the grand final. (Getty)
Parramatta have made a big selection by dropping Bryce Cartwright and recalling Nathan Brown to play his first NRL game in three months.
There has been speculation about Brown’s relationship with manager Brad Arthur and whether the lockout representative will be at the club next season.
NRL GRAND FINAL
Sunday, Penrith Panthers vs Parramatta Eels at Accor Stadium, 7.30pm
Referee: Ashley Klein
Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Charlie Staines 3. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Mitch Kenny 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Jaeman Salmon 18. Sean O’Sullivan 19. Matt Eisenhuth 20. J’maine Hopgood 21. Sunia Turuva 22. Chris Smith
Eels: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penini 4. Bailey Simonsson 5. Waqa Blake 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Junior Paul 11. Shaun Lane Isaiah Papali ‘i 13. Ryan Matterson 14. Nathan Brown 15. Jacob Arthur 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Martha Niukore 18. Bryce Cartwright 19. Makahesi Makatoa 20. Tom Opacic 21. Ofahiki Ogden 22. Ky Rodwell
Tom Opacic of the eels. (Getty)
NRLW GRAND FINAL
Sunday Newcastle Knights vs Parramatta Eels at Accor Stadium, 3.55pm
Referee: Kasey Badger
Knights: 1. Tamika Upton 2. Kiana Takairangi 3. Shanice Parker 4. Bobbi Law 5. Emmanita Paki 6. Kirra Dibb 7. Jesse Southwell 8. Caitlan Johnston 9. Olivia Higgins 10. Millie Boyle 11. Romy Teitzel 12. Yasdale Clydsmin 13. Kayla Romaniuk 14. Emma Manzelmann 15. Tayla Predebon 16. Simone Karpani 17. Makenzie Weale 18. Caitlin Moran 20. Kyra Simon 22. Tiana Davison 23. Jessica Gentle 24. Tamsin Barber
Eels: Gayle Broughton 2. Zali Fay 3. Abbi Church 4. Rikeya Horne 5. Cassey Tohi-Hiku 6. Ash Quinlan 7. Tayla Preston 8. Kennedy Cherrington 9. Brooke Anderson 10. Ellie Johnston 11. Christian Pio 12. Vanessa Foliaki 14. Philomina Hanisi 15. Seli Mailangi 16. Najvada George 17. Rima Butler 18. Ruby-Jean Kennard 19. Brooke Walker 20. Rueben Cherrington 21. Tiana Penitani 22. Tess Staines
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
Sunday, Penrith Panthers vs Norths Devils at Accor Stadium, 1.15pm
Referee: Darian Furner
Panthers: 1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Christian Crichton 3. Robert Jennings 4. Thomas Jenkins 5. Sunia Turuva 6. Jack Cole 7. Kurt Falls 8. Lindsay Smith 9. Soni Luke 10. Matt Eisenhuth 11. Preston Riki 12. Chris Smith 13. J’maine Hopgood 14. Luke Sommerton 15. Eddie Blacker 16. Liam Henry 17. John Faiumu 18. Mavrik Geyer 19. Daeon Amituanai 20. Hohepa Puru 21. Ativalu Lisati 22. Niwhai Puru
Devils: Jack Ahearn 2. Jayden Corrigan 3. Jacob Gagan 4. Tony Tumusa 5. Matthew Milson 6. Connor Broadhurst 7. Tyson Gamble 8. Viko Puliuvea 9. Kierran Moseley 10. Jayden Stephens 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Leivaha Pulu 13. Michael Sio 13. 14. Liam Horne 16. Jerome Veve 17. Sam Lavea 20. Lloyd Perrett 18. Moses Novao-McGreal 15. Taualo Vaipul 19. Rashaun Denny 21. Jared Chambers 22. Tyrone Roberts
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