Storm v Panthers preview - 2017 Round 5

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A September preview looms as the two best defensive sides in the competition clash on Saturday night.

It has been a typical start to the season for the Storm as they eye their fifth straight victory to start the season this weekend. In fact, since 2011, the Melbourne club has won 23 of their 28 games in the opening four rounds. They will look to do even better on Saturday night and are buoyed by the inclusion of prop Jordan McLean. Suliasi Vunivalu also could return a couple of weeks early from a shoulder injury. Yet, despite the loss of key players early in the season, with Tohu Harris and Cameron Munster also still on the sideline, the Storm have made no excuses and instead find themselves only just shy of top spot on the ladder. Critical to this has been their defence, which ranks best in the league so far at just 10.5 points per game. It featured heavily in the second half of last week's victory over the Tigers, with the Storm holding the home side scoreless in the second forty in order to make up for a quite lacklustre start to the game. However, they face a challenge this week in the form of a Penrith side who ranks second in the competition for attack with 25 points per game whilst only conceding on average 14.5 - and it would be even better if you discount that awful Round 1 result against the Dragons which seems a mere speedbump in their 2017 campaign. Yet, the Storm will be confident of victory seeing that the Panthers are yet to win at AAMI Park. Ever.

I doubt this bothers the Panthers however. The Penrith side are riding high on confidence following a 40-0 thumping of Newcastle last week and the scary thing is - if they played to their full potential, it could have been 70. Yet, despite having beaten the Knights and Tigers by a combined 76-2 score line in order to truly prove their premiership credentials the Panthers need to beat one of the top sides. They went mighty close against the Roosters, some may argue they deserved to win, however they face an even greater test this week. Unfortunately for them Bryce Cartwright will spend another week on the sidelines but debutant Corey Harawira-Naera looked more than comfortable last week filling in. James Fisher-Harris has also been named on an extended bench and may push to be a late inclusion, most likely at Harawira-Naera's expense.

Last meeting: Round 13 2016 - Storm 24 Panthers 6

Penrith's barren run at AAMI Park continued last year as Nathan Cleary was outclassed in his debut game by Cooper Cronk who led his side to a 24-6 victory in Round 13.

Who to watch: The battle between Cleary and Cronk could go a long way to deciding this one. Both possess polished long range kicking games and are not afraid to take on the line either. Cleary holds the advantage when it comes to tries and line breaks whilst its Cronk who comes out on top in terms of try assists and total kicks. Both can control games simply with their long driving kicks which trap their opposition deep in their own territory and I get the feeling Cleary may have more of a bearing on this one than his last outing to AAMI Park, where he was forced into making 38 tackles whilst witnessing Cronk set up three tries and single-handedly deliver his side the victory.

The favourite: After a perfect start to the season punters are favouring the Storm to continue Penrith's woes in Melbourne.

My tip: The Storm missed 44 tackles last week and made 14 errors. If they do that this week the Panthers will punish them at will. Yet, I think everyone knows that Craig Bellamy will not let that happen. Still, if Penrith can hold strong in defence you get the feeling that their variation in attack could pose problems for Melbourne. It is a tough one but I will back the Panthers to break the drought - I mean it has to happen eventually, right? Penrith by 7.

1. Billy Slater 21. Suliasi Vunivalu 3. William Chambers 4. Cheyse Blair 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Ryley Jacks 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Cameron Smith 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenneath Bromwich 13. Dale Finucane 15. Tim Glasby 17. Joe Stimson 18. Mark Nicholls 19. Tui Kamikamica

1. Matt Moylan 2. Dean Whare 3. Waqa Blake 4. Tyrone Peachey 5. Dallin Watene Zelezniak 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Nathan Cleary 8. James Tamou 9. Peter Wallace 10. Regan Campbell-Gillard 11. Corey Harawira 12. Isaah Yeo 13. Trent Merrin 14. Peta Hiku 15. Leilani Latu 16. Viliame Kikau 18. Moses Leota

Referees: Ashley Klein, Dave Munro; Sideline Officials: Brett Suttor, Jason Walsh; Video Referees: Bernard Sutton, Ben Galea;