The NRL grand final teams have been revealed.
The Panthers are the only team making a change heading into the 2020 decider, with Viliame Kikau returning to the second row after a one-week suspension. His inclusion means Kurt Capewell drops to the bench and Mitch Kenny is the unlucky man to lose his spot in the 17.
Penrith have also named Brent Naden at centre, despite him not getting off the interchange in last week’s win. Tyrone May reverts to the interchange.
The Melbourne Storm are unchanged.
CHECK OUT THE FULL TEAMS
Sunday, 7:30pm at ANZ Stadium
Panthers
1. Dylan Edwards, 2. Josh Mansour, 3. Brent Naden, 4. Stephen Crichton, 5. Brian To’o, 6. Jarome Luai, 7. Nathan Cleary, 8. James Tamou, 9. Apisai Koroisau, 10. James Fisher-Harris, 11. Viliame Kikau, 12. Liam Martin, 13. Isaah Yeo
Bench/Reserves: 14. Tyrone May, 15. Kurt Capewell, 16. Moses Leota, 17. Zane Tetevano, 18. Mitch Kenny, 19. Dean Whare, 20. Matt Burton, 21. Spencer Leniu
Storm
1. Ryan Papenhuyzen, 2. Suliasi Vunivalu, 3. Brenko Lee, 4. Justin Olam, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. Cameron Munster, 7. Jahrome Hughes, 8. Jesse Bromwich, 9. Cameron Smith, 10. Christian Welch, 11. Felise Kaufusi, 12. Kenneath Bromwich, 13. Nelson Asofa-Solomona
Bench/Reserves: 14. Brandon Smith, 15. Tino Faasuamaleaui, 16. Dale Finucane, 17. Nicho Hynes, 18. Tom Eisenhuth, 19. Paul Momirovski, 20. Tui Kamikamica, 21. Ryley Jacks
All times AEDT (Sydney/Melbourne).
2dogz
Roar Rookie
Zinger
Tom G
Roar Rookie
At least I get invited
2dogz
Roar Rookie
You must be the life of the party Tommy. Have a great day :thumbup:
Tom G
Roar Rookie
When I see comments like yours it always makes me wonder if there would be one NRL fan who would take the time or effort to go to an AFL section to troll them. My view is none or hardly any and yet here you are
2dogz
Roar Rookie
The seagulls don’t have to scrum their heads up another seagulls but though :thumbup:
Andrew01
Roar Rookie
Which is why it would make no sense to bring Naden back in for May unless he thinks May was poor against Souths. If you consider Munster/Walker a wash, Naden wasn't good enough to defend Dane Gagai but he is a good enough defender to stop Olam? Olam is clearly the harder player to defend.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Jimmy, I'm a bit torn on that Naden v May choice ? Naden is quick and handy runner of the ball, but can make an error or two especially in defence. May is a clever player and handy defender, but he lacks any real pace ? Olam is a serious challenge for them, but whoever the Panthers play opposite him, they will have some solid cover on that side via Cleary & Martin, both in defence and in trying to isolate him in attack.
Nat
Roar Rookie
It's a good situation when you can beat a red-hot Souths and still call it an off-week.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
I agree with that but I also reckon he can give a try away. Canberra should definitely have scored one maybe two on his side of the field last week. He jams in early and when it comes off it's spectacular but his timing needs to be perfect or it's try time.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Capewell had a shocker last week but I think Lenui makes the bench rotation a bit prop heavy Great point about the execution. Panthers are a huge chance but if they’re as careless as they were last week they’ll get done convincingly. The Storm are the masters at taking small opposition errors and grinding them out into points and then choking the oppo out of the game Fascinating preparation for the Panthers too. They’ll be getting set for a huge battle in the middle third but also need to be ready for the Storm to go hard at the edges early like they did against the Raiders. Hopefully the Panthers are confident to attack down their edges - particularly left - early as well Great match ups across the park
bbt
Roar Rookie
Hughes played a beauty last week. Hope he repeats this game.......and Branko Lee does't muck up any reads. Has done that in the past.
Joe
Roar Rookie
No, they'll need a backs backup who can cover all position but especially the spine positions and that's Nicho Hynes. Amazing that he played his 1 debut game last year and this year is going to play in a GF!
Walter Black
Guest
Jimmy, that is being very kind to AFL (AwFuL) The best description I have seen of AFL is that it is like watching 2 seagulls chasing a chip
Walter Black
Guest
Suli has confirmed that he going to the Reds next season so he is gone. JAC still has a contract with Melbourne so there needs to be some agreements made during the off season but I would be surprised if something does get delivered. JAC is too good an asset not to get snapped up. He is the one Melbourne will miss.
Walter Black
Guest
The key issue is what is Naden like physically and is he strong in defence ? Olam is like a road train that is determined to get to the line so if Naden has any weaknesses there, Olam will turn him into nothing more than a speed hump.
2dogz
Roar Rookie
And that return serve is why I’m not sure why my post was deleted :thumbup:
Phil
Roar Rookie
Spot on there BB. I have noticed both Vuni and the Fox come infield defending leaving their opposites with a free run. JAC's effort on Cotric was pathetic in allowing him to score. On the other hand, in attack, they are lethal. The centres are a mixed bag. Olam can land the big hit but miss with the next one. Lee, has improved his game all round this season and has earned his spot. If Penrith attack out wide they can expose the wingers.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
No worries, I once said AFL is like kick netball but with less contact.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
100%. BARRY . I said last week Olam is a plus and a minus. He comes in hard and like George Tafua it's spectacular when it works but if he gets it wrong it's try time. That's one Panthers try for mine. One more is from a short kick. The Panthers short kicking is very good. I reckon they need 2 more though.
2dogz
Roar Rookie
I apologise about saying that nrl is like contact netball because they throw the ball and not kick it. It was meant as banter...