Check out the match preview and prediction for the round 23 clash between the Storm and Panthers.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Penrith Panthers Vs Melbourne Storm
Venue: BlueBet Stadium
Date: Friday, August 4, 8pm
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
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. Thomas Jenkins 22. Liam Henry
Storm: 1. Nick Meaney 2. William Warbrick 3. Marion Seve 4. Young Tonumaipea 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 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 20. Jonah Pezet 21. George Jennings 22. Grant Anderson
Referee: Adam Gee
Embed from Getty ImagesMATCHDAY PREVIEW
In what is the match of the round, the Panthers host the Storm in another chapter of this strong rivalry between the two clubs.
In the only change for the Panthers, Zac Hosking has been named at centre to replace the suspended Tyrone Peachey, with Jaeman Salmon coming onto the bench. Izack Tago has also been named in the reserves and could be an outside chance of returning.
In a boost for the Storm, Nelson Asofa-Solomona is back from a finger injury and has been named in the second row. Tom Eisenhuth will drop back to the bench, with Tyran Wishart being left out as the 18th man.
Despite the Storm being well-placed inside the top four, they have lacked consistency this season, but should take plenty of confidence away from a 30-point drubbing of Parramatta a week ago. A loss here could see them in danger of falling, with the Raiders nipping at their heels for an unlikely top four berth.
It was only five weeks ago that these sides faced off at Marvel Stadium, with the Storm running out to an early 14-0 lead before the Panthers responded with an impressive 34-16 victory, even without star halfback Nathan Cleary.
Penrith will be confident of coming away with another win in front of what should be a sold-out home crowd as they continue to fight the Broncos for the minor premiership. With five wins on the trot, they will be hard to stop. Cleary hasn’t missed a beat since his return from a hamstring injury, and the team has become experts at grinding down their opposition.
LAST TEN MATCHES
Panthers 6, Storm 4
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Panthers by 8 points.
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