Melbourne Storm
16
Match Complete
Penrith Panthers
34
| 73 |  | S. Crichton | ||
| 72 |  | B. To'o | ||
| 63 | | S. Crichton | ||
| 62 | | Z. Hosking | ||
| 48 | | S. Crichton | ||
| 46 | | I. Tago | ||
| N. Meaney |  | 42 | ||
| 40 | | S. Crichton | ||
| 39 | | L. Martin | ||
| 34 | | I. Tago | ||
| 32 | | S. Crichton | ||
| N. Meaney | | 26 | ||
| N. Asofa-Solomona | | 24 | ||
| N. Meaney | | 16 | ||
| H. Grant | | 14 | ||
| N. Meaney | | 3 |
| 2 | Tries | 5 | ||
| 2 | Conversions | 5 | ||
| 2 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Round 18 of the NRL premiership continues tonight when the Melbourne Storm take on the Penrith Panthers at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne . Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 8:00pm (AEST).
This is the second of two great clashes this Friday night. Both of these sides seem to be locks for the top 4 regardless of this result, but it will provide one of these sides with plenty of confidence if they meet again in the semi finals.
The Storm haven’t always been at their peak this year, however they seem to be getting closer to their best at exactly the right time. Missing Cameron Munster, they still comfortably accounted for the Sea Eagles last weekend.
Craig Bellamy’s team has its share of superstars, but it’s the lesser lights that keep showing up every week. Nick Meaney is an example of this. Signed as cover for Ryan Papenhuyzen, he has become a vital cog in the Melbourne machine.
Cameron Munster returns from illness whilst Tui Kamikamica is back from a calf injury. Aaron Pene has been named in the reserves after suffering an ankle injury against the Sea Eagles, with Kane Bradley being named on the bench
The Panthers were professional in their 20-12 defeat of Knights last weekend, but not much can be taken from it. With all their State of Origin stars given a rest, the Panthers side will look a whole lot different this weekend.
Despite the loss of Nathan Cleary, the Panthers game plan is unchanged week to week. Strong go forward, kicking for field position and looking to take the chances when they arrive. At club level, it is mighty effective.
Origin stars Brian To’o, Stephen Crichton, Jarome Luai, Liam Martin and Isaah Yeo all return. Jaeman Salmon goes back to the bench and Tyrone Peachey, Thomas Jenkins, Zac Hosking and Matt Eisenhuth drop out.
Prediction
As their positions on the ladder would suggest, this should go down to the wire.
I am leaning towards the Storm in Melbourne, noting however that this one is at Marvel Stadium and not AAMI Park. Storm by 2
Game information
Venue: Marvel Stadium, Auckland
Kick-off: 8:00pm (AEST)
TV: Fox Sports, Nine
Streaming: Kayo Sports, Foxtel, 9Now
Odds: Storm $1.80 Panthers $2.00 – odds via PlayUp
Storm: 1. Nick Meaney 2. William Warbrick 3. Reimis Smith 4. Justin Olam 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tariq Sims 9. Harry Grant 10. Christian Welch 11. Trent Loiero 12. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 13. Josh King 14. Bronson Garlick 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Kane Bradley 18. Tyran Wishart 19. Tom Eisenhuth 20. Chris Lewis 21. Sualauvi Faalogo 22. Jonah Pezet
Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Jack Cogger 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Soni Luke 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Jaeman Salmon 18. Zac Hosking 19. Matt Eisenhuth 20. Luke Garner 21. Tyrone Peachey 22. Thomas Jenkins
Panthers
Roar Rookie
Penrith supporters like him well enough. He had a good game against Melbourne. Just about his only 2 errors , were one missed tackle on Asofa-Solomona. For the knock on try . Plus one short kick that went dead. He ran well , tackled well & did some other good kicks.
langparker
Roar Rookie
I’ve got no time for Jarome Luai at all and have been a harsh critic but for the life of me, I couldn’t see anything wrong with his tackle on Hughes. Are we getting into the realms of subjectivity on defenders having a duty of care.
Panthers
Roar Rookie
Luai was penalised at the start of the game for perfectly timed, legal tackle on the kicker . Not late , not high , kicker was on his feet.
Stormy
Roar Rookie
For a team that prides themselves on defence, they were appalling. Lazy, arm flinging tackle attempts - disgraceful!
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
Stormy defence was pretty ordinary tonight , I’d like to see there missed tackle count in the 2nd half.Tago played like he had spiders on him
Stormy
Roar Rookie
We were very, very good for 25/30 minutes, then went away from what was working - in the face defence - & game them room to implement their quick ball movement & click into gear. I call that embarrassing.
Stormy
Roar Rookie
No good being out there if you can't contribute 100%
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Thanks David.Great game, great call
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
I can't call that embarassing. They had a real crack. They played really tough. Penrith are just very, very good .
David Holden
Roar Guru
Thanks very much for following the blogs tonight. Enjoy your weekend and I am back on Sunday for the Sea Eagles and Roosters.
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
Penrith looked pretty tidy this evening. Didn’t flinch.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Wow a roof. Woof
David Holden
Roar Guru
Wow, that was some kind of premiership statement from the Panthers tonight. The Storm really took it to Penrith early, racing to a 14-0 lead. However, once momentum turned, Penrith never looked like losing. It's going to take a great team to stop them from achieving the 3-peat
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Congrats Panthers. God they are a good side. Tago was unbelievable . Edwards ? I don't even notice him any more , he is that consistent . They deserve to be short price favs for the big one.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
But still no one likes Penrith's no 6.
David Holden
Roar Guru
FULL TIME PANTHERS DEFEAT STORM 34-16
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
This Storm side is very similar to Pakistan cricket team. Good on their day, but not consistent enough. Fingers crossed we can just edge into top four and then somehow win 3 straight.
Stormy
Roar Rookie
Thank God that's over! Congratulations Panthers - just too good. Embarrassing Storm!
David Holden
Roar Guru
80' Crichton from the tap. Leota follows. Shift left to Luai who finds Peachey. Its full time Storm 16 Panthers 34
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Penrith have it huh?