Check out the match preview and prediction for the 2025 National Rugby League round 3 clash between the Melbourne Storm and Penrith Panthers.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Melbourne Storm Vs Penrith Panthers
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Date: Thursday 20 March, 8:00pm (ADST)
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Storm: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Grant Anderson 3. Jack Howarth 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Lazarus Vaalepu 18. Bronson Garlick 19. Joe Chan 20. Kane Bradley 21. Coby Williamson 22. Nelson Asofa-Solomona
Panthers: 1. Daine Laurie 2. Casey McLean 3. Izack Tago 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Brian To’o 6. Jack Cole 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Brad Schneider 15. Isaiah Papali’i 16. Liam Henry 17. Luke Garner 18. Blaize Talagi 19. Trent Toelau 20. Matt Eisenhuth 21. Luke Sommerton 22. Thomas Jenkins
Referee: Adam Gee
Bunker: Chris Butler
MATCHDAY PREVIEW
Round 3 of the season kicks off on Thursday night in Melbourne where the Storm host the Panthers in a 2024 Grand Final rematch. The Storm come into the game well-rested after having their first bye in round 2, while the Panthers are reeling from a shock 38-32 defeat at the hands of the Roosters last week.
For the Storm, Will Warbrick will miss the game due to concussion and is replaced on the wing by Grant Anderson. They are otherwise unchanged from the side that toweled up the Eels in round 1. Nelson Asofa-Solomona has been named in the reserves as he eyes a return from the suspension that ruled him out of the Grand Final last year.
The conditions could not be more in the Storm’s favour for this rematch. With a huge win in round 1, followed by a bye in round 2, they’ll be ready for a Panthers ambush. Cameron Munster looked to be back to his best after an injury-plagued 2024 season. He’s usually one to stand up for the big games, so expect another big performance from him. In what shapes as the game of the round, when the Storm play the Panthers at home they are rarely beaten. They’ve won eight of their last nine at AAMI Park against the Panthers. They also have a perfect record at home in Thursday night games, 18-0 against all opposition on Thursdays.
For the Panthers, Dylan Edwards has been ruled out after suffering a groin strain in last week’s loss to the Roosters. He’s replaced at fullback by Daine Laurie. Brad Schneider replaces Laurie on the bench, with Isaiah Papalii also returning to the bench.
A shock loss to the Roosters has left the Panthers licking their wounds. Not a good place to be coming into a matchup against a near full-strength Storm side in Melbourne. The loss of Edwards will make the task of getting a win that much harder. While Laurie has proven he’s more than capable of starring at fullback, the Storm present a tough match-up for him in his first start at fullback this year. Last week their usual Panthers defence and discipline was nowhere to be seen, as they leaked 38 points to an undermanned Roosters. Despite how poorly they played, they’re still the defending premiers, so expect them to turn up this week to make this game the cracker we expect.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Storm by 4 points.
Check out all the NRL Predictions here.
Follow Us on Facebook
