It’s a case of David vs Goliath as the Penrith Panthers take on the Melbourne Storm at Centrebet Stadium this evening. Join us for live scores and commentary from 6.30pm AEST.
The 15-game winning streak is over for reigning premiers the Storm after their round 8 loss to the Raiders, and they’ll be looking to hit back with a vengeance this week against the Panthers.
With Origin looming and key personnel set for taxing rep duties, Craig Bellamy and his charges know every two points are critical in their hunt for the minor premiership.
After going down to the Raiders last week and only narrowly escaping the Warriors the week prior, the Storm will want to make a statement here. Expect high intensity from the get go.
For Penrith’s part, they may train at the foot of the Blue Mountains, but they face an even bigger mountain if they want to topple Melbourne tonight.
Penrith have lost the last 11 installments of this fixture. Even in an era where the Storm have been the dominant NRL force, those are bad stats.
If they are to have a hint of a chance, every player is going to have to be at his absolute best, and more importantly, coach Ivan Cleary is going to have to try something a little different.
It’s becoming increasingly clear that there is no blueprint for beating the Melbourne Storm – teams must play to their own strengths instead of trying to match the Storm at theirs.
Canberra succeeded in doing so last week, using their skilled wide men to great effect and exposing defensive weaknesses on the Storm’s edges.
Isaac John makes his Panthers debut at five-eighth this week, and his halves partnership with Luke Walsh will be the fourth the Panthers have tried this season.
Along with names like Matt Moylan, Travis Robinson, Matt Robinson, Adam Docker and Sam Anderson, there are plenty of relative unknown factors in the Panthers line-up. They will, at the very least, have the element of surprise.
I expect a spirited performance from the Panthers – that’s one area where they haven’t lacked in 2013.
In the end, though, the Storm on a bad day are too good for the Panthers on a good day – and I wouldn’t back Melbourne to have another bad day. They should win this one comfortably.
Can the Panthers pull off the ultimate upset or will Melbourne return to the winner’s circle? Join us for live scores and commentary from 6.30pm AEST, and be sure to let us know your thoughts if you’re following along.
faith rivers
Guest
great job guys thank u so much for coming to my school
Paige O'Brien
Guest
Great Job Guys. Thanks for coming out to my school (St Clair Public School)
hayley
Guest
congrats on your win hope you win next time and thanks for coming to my school.
emily
Guest
they did a very good job!!!
manly80
Guest
Try scored all good. Slater should of been placed on report for should charge
I'mastormtrooper2
Guest
Hey Kev ... Just checked the stats - Cam Smith led the tackle count at 54 - His nearest rival on 42 ... The boys nothing more than a bag of lazy bones it seems, but somehow he does that each and every week ... Has anyone any idea how Smithy earnt that "claw scratch" down the full length of his face ??? Looks like the Panther's forgot to file their nails ... :-/ :-O :-D If anything lost the game for the Storm it was a lack-lustre start and that their backs played through the middle ...
josh
Guest
go Penrith I hope this is just the start panthers done me proud ...... and yourselfs
The Spectator
Roar Guru
Mate, following a successful club means that the sides your team has dominated fans will be out to jump on you first chance as they are doing, I only highlighted how quick you ate to defend your team when they don't need it, just wait and remember there screen names so when the storm eliminate them u can say hi. It comes with following manly and Mel.
JR Salazar
Guest
The quality of subpar rugby from Melbourne is awaiting moderation.
JR Salazar
Guest
Two straight weeks of retarded rugby from the Storm. Going on three?
Alan
Roar Guru
Storm will bounce back. They lost five in a row last year remember... only to go on and win 15 in a row. They lost to Parramatta in the process. Hardly think its end of an era
I'mastormtrooper2
Guest
Does anyone know what the shoulder charge ruling is., an onfield penalty is what I thought? Certainly not exactly what one would call cheating - Desperation at best. Slater Billy performed that move more than once tonight, if I'm right ... I think I also saw a few other instances from other players this weekend ... Perhaps your concerns should be taken up with the games Chairman of Referee's. I'm happy for the game referree to adjudicate.
I'mastormtrooper2
Guest
Far from sensative Spectator - Perhaps we're a little bit over of the speculatators, innuendo and bias from sports journalists, commentators and folks like you across the board. Que Sara Sara, who know what today, tonight, tomorrow or this season will bring. Anyone who belleves that at round 10 that a team sitting at #1 are sure winners, or won't find themselves out of contention, or that a team in 16th can't fight their way back from the brink to be in the top 8 by round 26, or that the Premiers of last year, can't win back to back have no perspective at all. We all would love to believe our team will win every game, but even you would have to agree that is almost an impossibility and is not a requirement for your team or my team to be this years champions. Good Luck to your team - It would be nice that folks like you are equally fair in your judgement of the Storm and their fans.
The Spectator
Roar Guru
look how sensitive storm supporters are !!! bwahahahahah !!!!!! MON night football!!
Nathan of Perth
Roar Rookie
Melbourne abruptly dying in the arse, completely unexpected.
Matt
Guest
Simmons second try in the corner was no thanks to a blatant Slater shoulder charge. No penalty offered because the try was scored - but surely fouled in the act of scoring equals a Penalty Try does it not ?
I'mastormtrooper2
Guest
And Kevin, you'd know of course ... He is always in sthe top tacklers in the game each adn every week with a record that will have him immortalised and in Rugby League's Hall of Fame .... If you can't be honest, at least be real ... Perhaps you should also check out his State of Origin stats and don't take your eyes off his performance later this month ...
I'mastormtrooper2
Guest
Elijah ... You're getting a little carried away mate - They haven't exactly been thrashed .. Come round 26 the Melbourne Storm will be in the top 8 - All any team in the 16 need to be to give themselves a chance of a GF berth ... :-)
Elijah Weightman
Roar Guru
Oh, so you do agree Souths have been getting the rub of the green lately Silvertail? "This is exactly whats wrong with the NRL" Who's whinging now eh? Talk about being a hypocrite.
I'mastormtrooper2
Guest
It's a little like de ja vue, but once again, The Storm's opposition deserved the win - Well done Panther's - The only positive from tonight is that all this tooing and froing makes for a far more competitive season ... Myles - Cam kicked 50% 1 from 2 ... The score would have been 4 points more adrift if the Panthers goal kicker had nailed the 3 he missed ... I like you, am disappointed again, another game, however close, goes begging ... I didn't even watch the game, but from what I gathered from the stats 12 errors, 12 incomplete sets, 18 missed tackles and 577 kick metres compared to the Panther stats was the catalyst of the Storm Boys losing tonight ... What you, I and our team need to come to grips with is that winning is not in the laps of the God's ... It's about desire, attitude, apptitude, ability, consistency and a perhaps a little luck - For 80 minutes ... The Storm have allowed themselves to get beaten in the first 40 minutes for the last 2 weeks ... They have obviously not come prepared and they have left their A game back in the shed's ... Going back at half time to pick up the scraps with a not so pleasureable rip-roaring session from the coach, to return in the hope they can crank up the points before the final whistle is nothing more than a losing battle of wishing, hoping, taking a punt, but mostly totally disrepectful to their opposition.... I don't particularly want to point fingers, but tonight it seemed as though the representative players had their minds in the clouds ... In another place, allowing their professionalism to falter - Making mistakes they wouldn't normally do ??? They, and their team makes, perhaps even Craig need to take a cold shower, review their salary, what their goals are and why ??? What did Billy Slater say when he won the Dally M - "When you fall, climb up off the canvas and get on with things" or something like that !!!