By Jake Bull
The Illawarra Cutters will round-off their season against the Penrith Panthers at Pepper Stadium, Penrith on Saturday.
Needing to win their previous fixture against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, and for results to go their way, the Cutters could not get the job done as they succumbed to a 32-8 loss.
Last time these two sides played, the Cutters came away with the victory in a hard-fought encounter that looked to push the team towards the top eight but injuries and losing players to first grade has meant the season has been stop-start all year.
This week will be a game to put in a good last performance before the off-season and give those players moving off to other clubs a fitting farewell.
The Panthers won’t be taking the game lightly though as they know a win for them and results going their way will see them finish top of the NSW Cup table and clinching the Minor Premiership.
Cutters Head Coach Scott Logan will have some experienced and exciting players to call on in the last game with Nathan Green, Russell Packer and the departing Rory O’Brien all being named.
The Panthers have shown time and time again why they have been one of the benchmarks of the competition and last season’s champions this week have the chance to call on Ben Murdoch-Masila, Adam Docker and Daniel Foster to help them get over the line.
