Orange's Jack Cole and Jesse Buchan were instrumental in Penrith's incredible, shock hammering of reigning Harold Matthews Cup champions Manly in last weekend's preliminary final, helping their Panthers earn a shot at a grand final berth.
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Cole and Buchan, playing halfback and centre respectively, both bagged tries in last weekend's 44-6 romp at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, which the Panthers completely and utterly dominated from the outset.
Now, after eliminating the reigning champions, they'll be looking to continue their giant-killing ways against minor premiers Newcastle in Saturday's semi-final at St Mary's Leagues Stadium.
Having come from sixth to be one win away from the big dance, Cole and Buchan's Panthers are heading into the unknown somewhat too, they've not played the Knights in 2019.
They'll very much be the David to Newcastle's Goliath though, the Knights have lost just one game this season and, statistically, are the best attacking and defensive side in the competition.
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In fact, defensively they're the only side to have conceded less than 100 points this season.
Once again Cole will direct traffic from halfback while Buchan will look to be threat on the three-quarter-line for Penrith.
The Panthers take on the Knights from 12pm on Saturday.
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Matt Findlay
Formerly a sports specialist, I'm based at Orange and shift between wide-spread range of subjects here and, often, across the entire Central West region of NSW as well. I have almost a decade of experience in the media and marketing industries both here in Australia and internationally, along with journalism I have experience in content strategy, brand development, and digital and social media. Along the way, I've been fortunate to win a handful of media awards and be nominated for several others too.
Formerly a sports specialist, I'm based at Orange and shift between wide-spread range of subjects here and, often, across the entire Central West region of NSW as well. I have almost a decade of experience in the media and marketing industries both here in Australia and internationally, along with journalism I have experience in content strategy, brand development, and digital and social media. Along the way, I've been fortunate to win a handful of media awards and be nominated for several others too.
