The Melbourne Storm ran out 28-6 winners against the Penrith Panthers. In a fixture in which the Panthers have struggled in, they threw everything against Melbourne but were met with a side with great resilience and determination in the Storm.
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Final score
Melbourne Storm 28
Penrith Panthers 6
The Melbourne Storm and Penrith Panthers are meeting for the 32nd time, this time at AMMI park. Join The Roar for live scores from the match and a live blog of the game, starting from 7:30pm (AEDT).
After four games, the Storm are undefeated, with wins against a tough Broncos outfit and brilliant performances against the Bulldogs, Warriors and Tigers. Also of note is that the return of Billy Slater has provided a positive team atmosphere.
The Panthers have started the season relatively well, with commanding wins against Newcastle and the Tigers, but also a tight loss to the Roosters and a trashing at the hands of St George.
In recent years, Penrith have not enjoyed facing Melbourne, only winning seven times from 31 outings, and suffering an 18-point loss in their last game.
Both teams have suffered injuries to key players, with Cameron Munster out for Melbourne with a jaw problem until at least Round 8, and Josh Mansour out with a knee injury until mid-season for the Panthers.
Players to watch include youngster Ryley Jacks, who has impressed many after already having scored for the Storm, and Tyrone Peachey, who has been performing strongly for Penrith.
The Panters came into this season touted by many as premiership favourites and so getting a win here to end Melbourne’s unbeaten run would be an excellent feather in their cap after an inconsistent first couple of weeks.
However, that will be a tough task indeed given the Storm have the home ground advantage and the confidence that comes from being without a loss to date.
Prediction
Melbourne have been outstanding this season, and their dominant record over Penrith suggests the Storm will continue their perfect start.
Melbourne by 14.
Join The Roar for live scores from the match and a live blog of the game, starting from 7:30pm (AEDT).
Richard Maybury
Guest
Until someone does beat them then Renegade's comment is a fair one.
Bill larkin
Guest
Look out when the Storm actually plays well, which hasn't happened yet this year.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Yeah ok fair enough, they aren't unbeatable.... but they beat Penrith comfortably while in cruise control tonight.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Don't see how you can say the Storm look unbeatable (though they will improve with Harris and McLean back), Penrith left a few tries out there with dumb mistakes and handling errors tonight -- could've easily been a much closer run thing.
Samuel Ashton
Roar Guru
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Richard Maybury
Guest
Agree with that but the refs won't use the bin so who can blame the teams ???
Richard Maybury
Guest
Simple reason why the Storm weren't favourites and Penrith were, The Storm aren't a Sydney based team! ADVICE for our match commentator Please tell us who is doing what not just "Penrith knock on" etc plus its SULIASI VUNIVALU not Vinuvalu.
Swannies
Guest
At this stage there isn't a team in the comp that can match the Storm. Barring injuries they should finish top 2. Roosters and Sharks will be up there.
mikef
Guest
Storm played well &,they will do anything to stop the opposition. But how many penalties can a side concede before they lose a player for 10 mins ?
Renegade
Roar Guru
This is why I backed the storm to take out the premiership at the start of the season.... they already look unbeatable and are only going to get better. Melbourne only had 40% possession and made 100 more tackles yet still won comfortably. I can't believe the Storm weren't premiership favourites and Penrith were.... hence the reason why I believe the panthers are this season's most over rated side - unless they take out the comp, that's going to ring true.
Samuel Ashton
Roar Guru
FULL TIME: MELBOURNE STORM 28-6 PENRITH PANTHERS A great, gritty game in which the Storm come out as winners. Thanks for joining us tonight.
Samuel Ashton
Roar Guru
80TH MIN: MELBOURNE STORM TRY. Great play by Vinuvalu who scores in the dying minutes. Scoreline is now 28-6 CONVERSION UNSUCCESSFUL. Still 28-6 to Melbourne
Samuel Ashton
Roar Guru
80TH MIN: VIDEO REF STORM
Samuel Ashton
Roar Guru
78TH MIN: Scrum Penrith
Samuel Ashton
Roar Guru
77TH MIN- Knock-on Storm. Scrum Penrith.
Samuel Ashton
Roar Guru
75TH MIN: PEN Storm
Samuel Ashton
Roar Guru
74TH MIN: Storm tackle Penrith out of play. Storm scrum.
Samuel Ashton
Roar Guru
71ST MIN: MELBOURNE STORM TRY. Addo-Carr scores a length of the field try after Melbourne defended a Penrith onslaught CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL. Scoreline is 24-6 to Melbourne
Samuel Ashton
Roar Guru
70TH MIN- NO TRY PENRITH. Panthers denied again, Melbourne bring it away.
Samuel Ashton
Roar Guru
69TH MIN; PEN Penrith