Penrith Panthers
26
Match Complete
Melbourne Storm
6
| N. Cleary |  | 51 | ||
| B. To'o |  | 50 | ||
| N. Cleary | | 39 | ||
| S. Crichton | | 37 | ||
| N. Cleary |  | 35 | ||
| N. Cleary | | 28 | ||
| J. Luai | | 27 | ||
| B. To'o | | 23 | ||
| 15 | | Y. Tonumaipea | ||
| 12 | | N. Meaney | ||
| N. Cleary | | 9 |
| 4 | Tries | 1 | ||
| 3 | Conversions | 0 | ||
| 2 | Penalty Goals | 1 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Round 23 of the NRL premiership continues this evening when the Penrith Panthers take on the Melbourne Storm at BlueBet Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 8pm (AEST).
It’s only 5 rounds ago that these two teams met at Marvel Stadium. Melbourne dominated early, Christian Welch was on a mission and the Storm looked like winners. But, as Penrith so often do, they hung on, waited for momentum to swing and emerged comfortable victors. It was arguably their best performance of the season.
The Panthers were never really pushed by the injury hit Sharks last weekend, easing away to a 28-0 win without playing at their best.
The Panthers play the grind better than any other team in the competition. They kick for territory, attack in defence and take advantage of opportunities when they arise. It’s simple but highly effective.
In team changes, Tyrone Peachey is out via suspension and replaced by Zac Hosking. However, we note that Izack Tago has been listed in the reserves and could play. Jaeman Salmon gets a spot on the bench.
After a sporadic kind of season, at least by their standards, the Storm were really impressive in their 46-16 demolition of the Eels last round.
Justin Olam has not got a reprieve from his surprise demotion to the Sunshine Coast feeder team after Young Tonumaipea was cleared of a hamstring injury from the win over Parramatta.
Jahrome Hughes (illness) and Xavier Coates (hip) are out with Jonah Pezet and George Jennings coming in.
Veteran forward Tariq Sims (suspended) is out again this week while centre Reimis Smith (adductor) will miss another couple of weeks. Nelson Asofa-Solomona (finger) is back this weekend.
Prediction
Both these sides will be there at the pointy end of the season but the Panthers have the edge here. At home, in front of a full house, they will go very close to cementing a top 2 spot. Panthers by 10
Game information
Venue: BlueBet Stadium
Kick-off: 8pm (AEST)
TV: Fox Sports, Nine
Streaming: Kayo Sports, 9Now
Odds: Panthers $1.38, Storm $3.10 – odds via PlayUp
Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Zac Hosking 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 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. Matt Eisenhuth 17. Jaeman Salmon 18. Jack Cogger 19. Luke Garner 20. Izack Tago 21. Tom Jenkins 22. Liam Henry
Storm: 1. Nick Meaney 2. William Warbrick 3. Marion Seve 4. Young Tonumaipea 5. Xavier Coates 21 George Jennings 6. Cameron Munster 20. Jonah Pezet 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Harry Grant 10. Christian Welch 11. Trent Loiero 12. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 13. Josh King 14. Tom Eisenhuth 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Tepai Moeroa 17. Eliesa Katoa 18. Tyran Wishart 19. Bronson Garlick 22 Grant Anderson
The Barry
Roar Guru
Yeah, 100%
Stormy
Roar Rookie
Too soon to talk about Papenhuysen playing 1st grade, again It will be time to think about that when we see how he handles a couple of games in Qcup. He won't be rushed back - he's been patient & we should be patient, as well.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Yeah… Papenhuyzen hasn’t played for more than 12 months and still yet to play even a reserve grade game. I love the bloke but geez, if Melbourne are relying on him to immediately hit top form… Olam has been dropped for lack of form. Coates wouldn’t have made the slightest difference tonight. He finishes but doesn’t do much work Hughes will make a difference…but enough…? I don’t want to sound like I’m bagging Melbourne, they’re better than most… almost all
andyfnq
Roar Rookie
Olam, Coates, Papenhausen Hughes to come back for Melbourne...
Stormy
Roar Rookie
Only sometimes, TB, we are inconsistent this season.
Stormy
Roar Rookie
Agreed, Jimmmy, but it's hard going without our halfback.
David Holden
Roar Guru
Thanks for joining the blog this afternoon. I will be back tomorrow afternoon for the Cowboys and Broncos
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Yeah, maybe I'm understating how well that D line of the Panthers is.
Stormy
Roar Rookie
Thanks for that. I knew he had been dropped. Just wondering there was more to it.
David Holden
Roar Guru
The Storm play the Raiders next Sunday afternoon in a match which could shape the top 4.
The Barry
Roar Guru
The scary thing is those ‘wet lettuces’ are world beaters against any other defence…
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
I thought you guys stuck at it pretty well in h2. But you need to throw more than wet lettuces at them in attack.
David Holden
Roar Guru
Penrith will play next Thursday night against the Sea Eagles, in a match which could just about end Manly's season
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
Very good team. The benchmark.
Just call me Campo
Roar Rookie
I don't normally watch the Mungo, just doesn't do it for me, but the 2nd half (probably the first as well) was great to watch. Penriff look pretty good to me
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Well played Penrith. They look a class above. Storm could have had a 100 tackles on the Penrith line but still wouldn't have scored.
David Holden
Roar Guru
The Panthers have eased away to a 26-6 win against the Storm tonight. Melbourne had plenty of ball in the second 40m but never really looked like scoring. Penrith's defence was immense and it will take a massive game from the opposition to deny the Panthers another premiership
The Barry
Roar Guru
Tago and Leniu still to come back into the team…
Redcap
Roar Guru
Very enjoyable watch and a good call. Thanks David.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Isn’t that what everyone said about Melbourne… when they were winning