Andrew Pelechaty review’s Penrith’s huge win at Docklands’ Marvel Stadium.
Result
Penrith Panthers 34
Tries: (6) Izack Tago 34th, 46th; Stephen Crichton 31st; Liam Martin 39th; Zac Hosking 62nd; Brian To’o 72nd
Goals: (5) Stephen Crichton 32nd, 40th, 48th, 63rd, 73rd
Melbourne Storm 16
Tries: (2) Harry Grant 14th; Nelson Asofa-Solomona 24th
Goals: (4) Nick Meaney 3rd, 16th, 26th, 42nd
Report
The venue for the first Storm-Panthers clash in 2023 was the unfamiliar Marvel Stadium (Docklands) – with the roof closed – as AAMI Park was being used for the FIFA Women’s World Cup. It’s the first time Melbourne’s played at Docklands since 2010.
Jarome Luai was put on report for a late tackle, though it seemed like a harsh call. Nick Meaney kicked the penalty goal to put Melbourne 2-0 up after three minutes.
It was a physical and intense opening 15 minutes, worthy of a final.
Harry Grant scored first, charging down a Jack Cogger kick and regathering. Meaney converted for an 8-0 lead after 16 minutes.
Perith had a scoring chance but Luai’s grubber went dead. Melbourne then marched down the field – with Reimis Smith throwing an inside ball to Nelson Asofa-Solomona. While NAS’s elbow hit the ground before the line, he was ruled by The Bunker to have momentum and enough control to ground the ball. Though it was still an contentious call. Meaney converted for a 14-0 lead after 26 minutes.
Penrith finally hit back with a penalty try to Stephen Crichton. He chased a Cogger grubber and was held back by Meaney. Crichton converted as Melbourne reduced the lead to 14-6.
Izack Tago made it back-to-back tries for Penrith, as they cut Melbourne’s lead to four points.
The Panthers hit the front just before half-time when a Cogger kick was batted back, with Lindsay Smith regathering and passing to Liam Martin. Crichton’s conversion meant Penrith had wiped away the Storm’s 14-0 lead in just 14 minutes.
The Storm levelled the scores early in the second half through a Meaney penalty goal.
Tago scored his second try four minutes later, bumping off Will Warbrick in the process – though Warbrick left the field with a Category 1 HIA.
Then it was Tago’s turn for a try assist, with Zac Hosking pouncing on his kick. Penrith’s lead pushed out to 28-16 with 15 minutes left.
The Storm had a late attacking chance after a Penrith knock on, but Meaney knocked on himself from the scrum win.
The Panthers sealed the win with eight minutes left when To’o scored from a Luai grubber.
It was Penrith’s fourth win from five games since their Round 13 bye – keeping them at the top of the ladder – while Melbourne are 3-2 since their Round 13 bye. Their next clash in Round 23 in Penrith (another Friday night game) should be another belter: will Penrith be on the verge of wrapping up another minor premiership by then?
PLAYER OF THE YEAR POINTS
Embed from Getty Images3 – Izack Tago (Panthers)
2 – Stephen Crichton (Panthers)
1 – Brian To’o (Panthers)
