Delicate situation as Panthers face uncertainty with injured Cleary, while Raiders seek redemption.
Now, they are walking a delicate tightrope in the final month of the season with star halfback Nathan Cleary injured and a home final suddenly no longer guaranteed.
While their opposition this week, the Canberra Raiders, look virtually eliminated from the finals race after last Saturday's heavy defeat to the Cowboys, they remain a mathematical chance of making it.
It means, as much as this looks like a straight-forward win for the visitors, it could turn out to be anything but against a Raiders outfit with everything - including pride - to play for at GIO Stadium.