Penrith Panthers
0
Match Complete
Melbourne Storm
16
| 30 |  | D. Nofoaluma | ||
| 21 |  | N. Meaney | ||
| 19 | | B. Smith | ||
| 18 | | N. Meaney | ||
| 17 | | N. Meaney |
| 0 | Tries | 3 | ||
| 0 | Conversions | 2 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Round 22 of the 2022 NRL season kicks off in western Sydney as defending premiers Penrith Panthers host 2020 premiers Melbourne Storm. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7.50pm AEST.
Since 2020, both these teams have been the benchmark of the competition, dominating games for fun and winning a premiership each.
The Panthers showed last week that despite losing halves Jarome Luai and Nathan Cleary for an extended period, they are a well-driven unit who have the ability to rattle opposition with relative ease.
The onus once again falls on Dolphins-bound Sean O’Sullivan to step up and provide a kicking masterclass to take Penrith home.
Matt Eisenhuth has been named at prop with James Fisher-Harris serving a suspension, while Viliame Kikau is an outside chance of playing, having been named in the reserves.
Despite the injury toll continuing to attempt to derail the Melbourne Storm’s hopes of a top-four finish, they continue soldiering on. But they will have to do it without superstar Jahrome Hughes as he nurses an injury.
Despite scoring a try on his return to the NRL, Young Tonumaipea will have to be content with carrying the drinks as the outside back makes way for Justin Olam, who comes back from a bout of Covid-19.
Nick Meaney comes back earlier than expected from a short stint on the sidelines, as Cameron Munster moves back to five-eighth, and Cooper Johns is named at halfback. Felise Kaufusi will miss the clash for personal reasons.
Prediction
Each suburban ground has its own specialty on what it offers to the spectacle of the NRL. But there’s something else about BlueBet stadium that makes it so difficult for opposition teams to come away with a victory.
The only other stadium which is as intimidating as the Panthers’ home in the world is Anfield – that’s how much of a fortress the Penrith players and fans have created at home.
And despite the number of players the Panthers are missing, they still have enough class across the park to get the job done and effectively wrap up the minor premiership.
Penrith by 8.
Game information
Venue: BlueBet stadium, Penrith
Kick-off: 7:55pm (AEST)
TV/Stream: Nine, Foxtel, Kayo Sports
Odds: Panthers $1.54; Storm $2.50 – odds via PlayUp
Teams
Panthers
1. Dylan Edwards 2. Taylan May 3. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jaeman Salmon 7. Sean O’Sullivan 8. Moses Leota 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Matt Eisenhuth 11. Chris Smith 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Mitch Kenny 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Sunia Turuva 18. Charlie Staines 19. J’maine Hopgood 20. Robert Jennings 21. Kurt Falls 22. Viliame Kikau
Storm
1. Nick Meaney 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Marion Seve 4. Justin Olam 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Cooper Johns 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Harry Grant 10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 11. Tom Eisenhuth 12. Kenny Bromwich 13. Josh King 14. Brandon Smith 15. Tui Kamikamica 16. Chris Lewis 17. Tyran Wishart 18. Alec MacDonald 19. Dean Ieremia 20. Young Tonumaipea 21. Jordan Grant 22. Jack Howarth
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
He could still injure himself in a TikTok challenge.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
The whole town cleared out. Chernobyl.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
Sometimes I miss living in Newcastle. Glad I wasn't there for that, though.
Bernie
Guest
Well I was speaking generally but remember commentator Belcher was fired for mentioning that a Parra pass against Manly to win the game was 15 metres forward - the touchie was dropped but ref Hayne wasnt...
Pickett
Roar Rookie
A worry.. :happy:
Joe
Roar Rookie
Takes after his Dad! :laughing:
London Panther
Roar Rookie
They were really good tonight; thoroughly deserved the win.
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Hold their tongues you say? Well that explains Ennis’s diction!!
Pickett
Roar Rookie
I gotta say, some of those Storm fellas seem like pretty nice blokes - Olam, Grant, Bromwich bros. Softly spoken, humble. Cooper John's seems a bit of a smartar*e though.
Stormy
Roar Rookie
Well said, Nat. It's not just footy personnel who have mental health issues - can be any one at any time.
LMM
Guest
I don’t know why everyone is saying the Panthers were getting the rub of the green. Storm players were taking a nap in the ruck on every tackle, snails pace at releasing the tackled player. Sutton would call held and they just refused to let go.
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
When my family watches the games with me, they know what I say aimed at the TV. Personally am happy with today performance. Melbourne aren’t far away and still a chance of a premiership now
Stormy
Roar Rookie
Just might now that it's over, thanks, Choppy.
Tom G
Roar Rookie
They were good no denying that.. their defence was finals standard.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
I thought the Storm defence was outstanding. But I also didn’t think the Panthers threw anything at them. Sideways movement, very little shape. Storm fans should be proud of their teams efforts. It’s the kind of gritty win they needed. But I also thought the Panthers were terrible. Good enough to get plenty of ball. But just had no structure to do anything with it.
Davooo
Guest
Totally agree, Munster needs to play fullback for the remainder of season if at all possible. He's been sensational since getting back to that position.
adam smith
Roar Rookie
@ Easy Target, yeah well, can’t argue with that…that was a shocker too :thumbup:
Joe
Roar Rookie
Absolutely! Hopefully this becomes the norm and not the exception for the rest of the season.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I went to a semi final with mates in 2013. Roosters v Manly. Obviously I don’t support either team Final score was 4-0. One of the best games I’ve ever been to…
Bernie
Guest
None of the decisions went Storms way in the second half - what a Sutton surprise - even the Fox commentators were surprised and they usually hold their tongues