The NSWRL holds its first Regional Magic Round at Tamworth’s Scully Park this weekend with five Round 10 games from The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup, and six matches from across the local Group 4 men’s and women’s competitions. Here’s a preview from the first of five NSW Cup matches at Scully Park.
Penrith Panthers v Western Suburbs Magpies – 11am Saturday 10 May
The fifth-placed Penrith Panthers against the Western Suburbs Magpies in 12th spot might seem like a mismatch, but think again.
Magpies hooker and captain Tristan Hope (pictured above: NRL Photos) has the most receipts (800) and tackles (271) in The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup after nine rounds and is fourth-highest in dummy-half runs.
Second-rower Elie El-Zakhem is second for offloads and halfback Kurt Falls is in the top five for kicks in play. Winger Alex Lobb already has two intercepts making him a dangerous customer to try to defend.
Under the tutelage of coach and former North Queensland Cowboys star Aaron Payne for the past 18 months, the Magpies have shown glimpses of their best football in 2025.
They have enjoyed two wins so far in 2025, including a 32-24 Round Three win over 2023-24 Grand Finalists, North Sydney Bears.
The Panthers have five wins from nine games although will be looking to turn their fortunes around at Scully Park coming off the back of consecutive losses to Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs (34-18) in Round Eight and Canberra Raiders (16-10) last weekend.
Panthers winger Asu Kepaoa is the leading try-scorer in the NSW Cup with 11 tries but missed last week’s game through injury impressing in the opening eight rounds.
NRL stars Dane Laurie at fullback and Jack Cole five-eighth and captain, both named to start in Tamworth, could be vital to the Panthers’ prospects in 2025.
So are the McLean brothers Jesse (winger) and Casey (centre), who were part of the successful CABE NSW Under 19s Men’s State of Origin team last year.
Casey went on to make his international debut with the Kiwis in the Pacific Championships and has already scored five tries in seven NRL appearances this year.
Click here to purchase tickets for the NSWRL Regional Magic Round.
