Penrith Panthers vs Parramatta Eels kick off time, results, updates; Nathan Brown assault of Nathan Cleary tipped

Former NRL coach Anthony Seibold believes Parramatta may opt to start recalled enforcer Nathan Brown in the pack for tonight’s game.

Brown has been named on the bench, and will play his first NRL game since round 17 after being a shock selection on Tuesday, pushing Bryce Cartwright out of the team.

It’s been speculated Brown’s selection is specifically so he can terrorise Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary.

Cleary’s kicking game killed the Eels in the first week of finals four weeks ago, with winger Waqa Blake grassing three bombs.

Seibold says a key focus for Parramatta is getting defenders at Cleary as he is kicking, and for this reason thinks Brown will be called into the starting side.

“It’s really important – we saw in week one of the finals, Nathan Cleary’s kicking game is outstanding,” Seibold said.

“Cleary really put Parramatta under pressure with regard to some of his high kicks, Waqa Blake in particular, so (the Eels) need kick pressure.

“Some of talk around Nathan Brown coming into the side, and potentially starting… one of the areas he does well is those effort areas, putting pressure on the kickers, in particular Cleary, and make him play a little earlier when he’s passing the ball as well.

“It will be a big theme for the Eels – put pressure on Nathan Cleary.”