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Storm
16
Match Complete
Panthers
22
| C. Smith |  | 76 | ||
| S. Drinkwater |  | 75 | ||
| 72 | | C. Crichton | ||
| 69 | | W. Blake | ||
| 51 | | W. Blake | ||
| 45 | | J. Mansour | ||
| 37 |  | N. Cleary | ||
| C. Smith | | 32 | ||
| C. Smith | | 27 | ||
| F. Kaufusi | | 26 | ||
| 12 | | J. Mansour | ||
| C. Smith | | 6 |
| 2 | Tries | 5 | ||
| 2 | Conversions | 0 | ||
| 2 | Penalty Goals | 1 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
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The JJ Giltinan Shield is up for grabs as the Melbourne Storm aim to defend the minor premiership when they host the Penrith Panthers. Join The Roar from 7:55pm (AEST) for live coverage of the match.
The Melbourne Storm currently sit two points clear at the top of the table and a win will secure a third consecutive minor premiership as well as a home final. They could finish as low as fourth however if results go against them.
The reigning premiers have won two in a row however, they were unconvincing in their victories against the Eels and Titans. With the finals only one week away, Melbourne will need to click back into gear and lift their intensity once again.
Craig Bellamy has made only one change to his team with Tim Glasby starting at prop, forcing Christian Welch on the bench however, Ryan Hoffman is a chance to make an early return from a hamstring injury after being named on the reserves.
Melbourne’s forward pack have a big challenge ahead of them with the Panthers’ engine room possessing plenty of attacking prowess and the ability to play for extended periods of time.
It will imperative that the Storm shut them down in the middle of the park off the back of Jesse Bromwich and Glasby, as field position will be very important.
Penrith have been out of form in recent weeks losing two in a row since Cameron Ciraldo took the head coaching tenure.
Their lineup has changed plenty recently and Ciraldo has shaken up the 17 once again with James Maloney returning from a knee injury, prompting Tyrone Peachey to make the switch back to the centres due to the loss of Dean Whare (broken arm).
The Panthers will be desperate to bring some form into the finals and could finish inside the top four with a win however, a loss could subsequently see them drop to as low as eighth position.
Melbourne have dominated the Panthers through their 32-game history, winning 25 matches to Penrith’s seven victories.
The last time the two teams met came in round five of last year when the Storm came out victorious 28-6. Penrith have never won at AAMI Park from seven appearances.
Prediction
The Storm will deliver a strong performance in Ryan Hoffman and Billy Slater’s last regular season home game to secure the JJ Giltinan Shield.
Storm by 8.
Join The Roar from 7:55pm (AEST) for score updates and debate in our live blog.
Kickoff: 7:55pm (AEST)
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
TV: Live, Nine Network and Fox League
Last meeting: Storm defeated Panthers 28-6 (Round 5, 2017)
Head-to-head: 32 played – Storm 25, Panthers 7
Melbourne Storm
1. Billy Slater, 2. Justin Olam, 3. Cheyse Blair, 4. Curtis Scott, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. Cameron Munster, 7. Brodie Croft, 8. Jesse Bromwich, 9. Cameron Smith, 10. Tim Glasby, 11. Felise Kaufusi, 12. Joe Stimson, 13. Dale Finucane
Interchange: 14. Kenneath Bromwich, 15. Christian Welch, 16. Tui Kamikamica, 17. Sam Kasiano
Reserves: 18. Ryan Hoffman, 19. Jahrome Hughes, 20. Albert Vete, 21. Ryley Jacks
Penrith Panthers
1. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 2. Josh Mansour, 3. Waqa Blake, 4. Tyrone Peachey, 5. Christian Crichton, 6. James Maloney, 7. Nathan Cleary, 8. Trent Merrin, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard, 11. Viliame Kikau, 12. Isaah Yeo, 13. James Fisher-Harris
Interchange: 14. Tyrone May, 15. Moses Leota, 16. Corey Harawira-Naera, 17. James Tamou
Reserves: 18. Sione Katoa, 19. Jack Hetherington, 20. Kaide Ellis, 21. Tyrone Phillips
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