Penrith Panthers
38
Match Complete
Melbourne Storm
4
| N. Cleary |  | 75 | ||
| N. Cleary |  | 70 | ||
| B. To'o |  | 69 | ||
| N. Cleary | | 56 | ||
| D. Edwards | | 55 | ||
| N. Cleary | | 54 | ||
| N. Cleary | | 53 | ||
| N. Cleary | | 29 | ||
| S. Turuva | | 27 | ||
| N. Cleary | | 22 | ||
| B. To'o | | 20 | ||
| N. Cleary | | 17 | ||
| 10 | | J. Olam | ||
| B. To'o | | 3 |
| 6 | Tries | 1 | ||
| 5 | Conversions | 0 | ||
| 2 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The preliminary finals kick off tonight when the Penrith Panthers take on the Melbourne Storm at Accor Stadium in Sydney. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:50pm (AEST).
We’re down to four teams and the stakes can’t be any bigger. For the winner tonight, a place in the grand final awaits. For weeks now, we have talked about a Panthers vs Broncos grand final. Can the Storm put a spanner in the works?
Penrith got the luxury of a week off following their 32-6 win over the Warriors in the first week of the finals. The Warriors were without Shaun Johnson but he would not have shored up the holes in the Warriors defence.
The Panthers are relentless. Their game is centred around a hard working back 3, a pinpoint kicking game and stingy defence. When they get field position, that’s when the halves and forward pack get the time to create attacking sets. Over time, oppositions simply break.
In team changes, Jarome Luai and Izack Tago both return from injury. They push Jack Cogger and Luke Garner to the bench. Tyrone Peachey is 18th man and Zac Hosking is named in the reserves.
The Storm weren’t convincing but got away with an 18-13 win over the Roosters at AAMI Park last Friday night. The Roosters looked home after a Sam Walker field goal. However, Cam Munster and Will Warbrick combined for some last minute magic to win.
When Craig Bellamy looks back on this season, he will be proud of his team, where they lost so much experience but still managed to figure at the pointy end of the season. For now though, he’s looking for a way to bring down the Panthers.
In a big in for the Storm, Jahrome Hughes has been named to make his return. Tyran Wishart moves to the bench and Bronson Garlick misses out on the 17.
Prediction
I’ve got no doubt that the first 20 minutes of this is going to be a tough grinding affair. Both teams are willing to do the tough stuff early. However, Melbourne will need to improve a lot on last week’s performance to challenge the Panthers.
I just don’t think the Storm have that in them and the Panthers should get home comfortably in the end. Panthers by 12
Game information
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Kick-off: 7:50pm (AEST)
TV: Nine, Fox Sports
Streaming: Kayo Sports, Foxtel
Odds: Panthers $1.18 Storm $4.85 – odds via PlayUp
Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 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. Jack Cogger 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Luke Garner 18. Tyrone Peachey 19. Matt Eisenhuth 20. Zac Hosking 21. Luke Sommerton 22. Thomas Jenkins
Storm: 1. Nick Meaney 2. William Warbrick 3. Marion Seve 4. Justin Olam 5. Reimis Smith 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Harry Grant 10. Christian Welch 11. Trent Loiero 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Josh King 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Tom Eisenhuth 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 17. Tariq Sims 18. Grant Anderson 19. Bronson Garlick 20. Sualauvi Faalogo 21. Tepai Moeroa 22. Chris Lewis
Stormy
Roar Rookie
Thanks Geoff. We didn't deserve to get to the GF (far to inconsistent), but that was ugly. We killed ourselves with mistakes & the Panthers were just better. Here's to 2024 & a fresh start, for both our teams.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Bad luck mate - you didn't deserve that ending. Storm aren't the team they used to be. Not sure what is wrong with Munster. Forwards lack punch.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Oh you have comedy out there! What do they say, tragedy plus distance equals comedy? :silly:
Renegade
Roar Guru
Mate, If Munster gets benched, Storm aren’t playing this time next year.
Panthers
Roar Rookie
Thank you Red Rob. Most kind. All the best to you & your Warriors team next week. :laughing:
Panthers
Roar Rookie
Then you love Richmond & AFL. So there’s no accounting for taste. ( I’ll just make it clear now , that I’m joking. As many people get easily offended ). :thumbup: :laughing:
Stormy
Roar Rookie
I didn't expect to win it Nick, but I did hope they would hang on to their passes; not try to force offloads & not make all the other errors, that cost them, so badly, tonight. We were never going to be good enough, but we could have been more competitive with attention to detail. That's where pride comes in.
blacktown leagues
Roar Rookie
How many do you know personally Nick to be able to judge them as a person and no one knows what sort of a person you are because all your are is an anonymous post on a forum, and yet your are happy to criticize Arnab for his comments about Munster . To use your own advice be better
Collie Flower
Roar Rookie
Thanks, you too. Whatever happens, I'll be happy for either team to have turned things around to get to a Grand Final. Obviously, I'll be happier if my team makes it :happy: Just want a great contest.
Nick Maguire
Roar Rookie
NAS?
Nick Maguire
Roar Rookie
Well, clearly I loathe them! ????
Nick Maguire
Roar Rookie
I think he's the only bloke in that team that I rate as a person. He's a beauty.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Not even close imo.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
All the best, CF :thumbup:
Nick Maguire
Roar Rookie
AFB
Broken Shoulder
Roar Rookie
Agreed mate. He’s been an elite player for the better part of 7 years. He's had a poor game, and a below-par season, but that doesn’t mean he gets benched. Unfortunately for him, the par is set very high. I understand it’s always hardest in the cold, harsh light of defeat, but let’s not be so drastic about a literal champion.
Collie Flower
Roar Rookie
Enjoy the game tomorrow, Rob. I'll be there too, surrounded by Broncos fans no doubt. Very excited as well.
Nick Maguire
Roar Rookie
DH all good comments, weak in the middle Cheers for the call mate
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Nick I was just going to comment that whichever side wins tomorrow has the game to win the big one.
Nick Maguire
Roar Rookie
RR, If you can beat NZW I think you have the game to beat Penrith. Cheers