NRL Round 18 Preview - Panthers v Sharks @ Pepper Stadium

Penrith Panthers v Cronulla Sharks @ Pepper Stadium
 
Preview - The 4th placed Panthers host the 6th placed Sharks at Pepper Stadium in a Friday night showdown. The Panthers stunned the Warriors last week 36-4, without their Origin players in a statement of intent, snapping a two-game losing streak. The Sharks are fresh off a bye after a last gasp 18-15 victory over the Warriors in Auckland, as they look to make a charge towards the Top 4 over the remaining two months of the season.
 
Penrith Panthers’ Scouting Report -  The Panthers have another debutant after Jerome Luai sensational debut last week with Caleb Aekins named at fullback for Dallin Watene-Zelezniak who is out injured. James Maloney, Nathan Cleary and Tyrone Peachey are rested from Origin Three. 
 
Cronulla Sharks’ Scouting Report - A former Panther returns for the Sharks here, with Wade Graham back from injury in the second row, pushing Scott Sorensen to the reserves. Aaron Woods remains on the bench, despite making a solid debut for the Club against the Warriors in Auckland. 
 
Verdict - Sharks by 4-12

I'm going to go for the the Sharks to get the chocolates. Matt Moylan will be up for a big game against his old Club, and I think Penrith will be under more duress without players backing up from Origin, as well as the Sharks having had a 14-day break. Expecting a high quality game, but the Sharks have a good record at Penrith, and I reckon they catch them at a good time to get a close win.