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.ย Dylan Edwardsย 2.ย Sunia Turuvaย 3.ย Zac Hoskingย 4.ย Stephen Crichtonย 5.ย Brian Toโoย 6.ย Jarome Luaiย 7.ย Nathan Clearyย 8.ย Moses Leotaย 9.ย Mitch Kennyย 10.ย James Fisher-Harrisย 11.ย Scott Sorensenย 12.ย Liam Martinย 13.ย Isaah Yeoย 14.ย Soni Lukeย 15.ย Lindsay Smithย 16.ย Matt Eisenhuthย 17.ย Jaeman Salmonย 18.ย Jack Coggerย 19.ย Luke Garnerย 20.ย Izack Tagoย 21.ย Thomas Jenkinsย 22.ย Liam Henry
Storm: 1.ย Nick Meaneyย 2.ย William Warbrickย 3.ย Marion Seveย 4. Young Tonumaipea 5.ย Xavier Coatesย 6.ย Cameron Munsterย 7.ย Jahrome Hughesย 8.ย Tui Kamikamicaย 9.ย Harry Grantย 10.ย Christian Welchย 11.ย Trent Loieroย 12.ย Nelson Asofa-Solomonaย 13.ย Josh Kingย 14.ย Tom Eisenhuthย 15.ย Alec MacDonaldย 16.ย Tepai Moeroaย 17.ย Eliesa Katoaย 18.ย Tyran Wishartย 19.ย Bronson Garlickย 20.ย Jonah Pezetย 21.ย George Jenningsย 22.ย 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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