Storm v Panthers preview

Melbourne Storm v Penrith Panthers
AAMI Park - Friday 7:35pm

It's a danger game for the Melbourne Storm tonight. A win will see them maintain their standing in the top 8, while a loss could see them drop out completely. That's how close the competition is this season, and that's the position the Storm have got themselves into.

The last time these two sides met, the Storm ran out 20-0 winners, with the Panthers effectively writing themselves out of the game with handling errors and missed tackles. The handling errors have improved. The missed tackles have not.

The Storm come in to this game desperate to snap a four match losing streak over the Origin period. Losses to the Eels, Broncos, Bulldogs and Warriors have taken their toll on the Melbourne side, dropping them from what was a commanding position early in the season, to one where they are a real risk of sliding out of the top 8. They'll be looking to put in a good performance, not just for their own season's sake, but also in support of Cameron Smith, who plays his 300th NRL game.

The Panthers run has been slightly better, with wins against the Tigers and the Rabbitohs, but they suffered a setback, being soundly defeated by the Roosters last weekend at home.

Both sides have named unchanged lineups from their last starts.

Last meeting: Round 13 2015 - Penrith Panthers 0 Melbourne Storm 20

Who to watch: For the Storm, keep an eye on Cameron Smith. As I mentioned, he'll be playing his 300th NRL game, which is a fine achievement, and he'll become the first Melbourne Storm player to do so. It's likely the whole team will lift to put in a good performance for their inspirational captain, and so they should.

The biggest thing to watch for the away side is their errors. The Panthers have an unwanted reputation for missing tackles so far this season, and have scrubbed themselves out of a couple of games on the back of this. They'll need to improve their defensive performance if they are to get the win, particularly against the Storm's clinical attack.

The favourite: The Storm will start as massive favourites, with the Panthers over $3 with most bookies. Just for fun, why not throw a few dollars on Cameron Smith to get the first meat pie in his 300th NRL game.

My tip: I'm going with the bookies on this one - the Storm's desperation will see them get over the line. Storm by 6.

1. Cameron Munster 2. Marika Koroibete 3. Will Chambers 4. Hymel Hunt 5. Richard Kennar 6. Blake Green 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Cameron Smith 10. Tim Glasby 11. Kevin Proctor 12. Tohu Harris 13. Dale Finucane
Interchange: 14. Ryan Hinchcliffe 15. Kenneath Bromwich 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 17. Felise Kaufusi

1. Dallin Watene Zelezniak 2. Waqa Blake 3. Dean Whare 4. Isaah Yeo 5. David Simmons 6. Jamie Soward 7. Peter Wallace 8. Nigel Plum 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Regan Campbell-Gillard 11. Sika Manu 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. Elijah Taylor
Interchange: 14. Lewis Brown 15. Jeremy Latimore 16. Sam McKendry 17. Tyrone Peachey

Referees: Jared Maxwell, Gavin Morris; Sideline Officials: Russell Turner, Belinda Sleeman; Video Referees: Bernard Sutton, Luke Phillips;

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