Finals Week 3: Panthers v Storm preview
To open the preliminary matches, Melbourne and Penrith head to Accor Stadium to play for a coveted spot in the Grand Final. The fairytale game that both these two teams are extremely acquainted with.
For the fourth year in a row, the Panthers are playing in a preliminary final and fighting for a place in the Grand Final, after winning the last two and losing against Melbourne in 2020. After convincingly beating the Warriors in the qualifying finals at home, with a 32-6 score line, Penrith will be fresh after having last week off.
After dislocating shoulder in Round 26, Jarome Luai has been named to play, alongside Izack Tago who suffered a pectoral injury, both which are an integral boost to the reigning premiers. These returns see Jack Cogger and Luke Garner return to the interchange bench, shifting Zac Hosking to reserves and Tyrone Peachey to 18th man.
Melbourne managed to keep their 2023 season alive after a 79th minute try from Will Warbrick sealed a win against the Roosters last week, booking their preliminary finals ticket. This must need win came after an embarrassing loss to the Broncos in the qualifying final in the previous week, where the Brisbane side broke their winning drought against the Storm to win 26-0.
Jahrome Hughes is set to return from a calf injury that saw him rested last week, however Xavier Coates is still sidelined after suffering an ankle injury against the Broncos during the first week of finals. Tyran Wishart shifts to the bench, whilst Bronson Garlick is dropped to reserves. Tui Kamikamica is also named in the run-on side despite suffering a head knock against the Roosters.
These two sides are no stranger to each other having met nine times in the past four years. However, Penrith lead the win count, coming out up on top six of these occasions, with one of Melbourne's few wins being the 2020 Grand Final.
Penrith are one of the current powerhouse clubs of the NRL, having won back-to-back premierships, as well as winning their past seven finals matches since 2021. They are a side to be reckoned with, and are hard to be stopped, meaning the Storm side will have to bring their A game come Friday night to have any chance of beating the Panthers.
Last meeting: Round 23 2023 - Panthers 26 Storm 6
Who to watch: This game will be a battle of the halves, with half of each team's halves pairing returning after respective injuries. Jahrome Hughes and Nathan Cleary will be the key to the attack which will win the game for either the Storm or Panthers.
Hughes celebrated his 50th NRL try against the Dragons during Round 25 of the regular season this year. He has seven tries, 21 try assists and 25 line break assists to his name this year. His combination with halves partner Cameron Munster and hooker Harry Grant is deadly and will be an essential part of the team if they want to claim victory over Penrith.
Cleary is an attacking weapon in the Penrith side and has only continued to prove his value. During the 2023 season he has scored only six tries, however he leads to Penrith side in try assists (18), offloads (29) and line break assists (17). For the first time in a month him and Luai return to their classic halves pairing and hope to find victory again.
Favourite: Penrith are heavily favoured to advance to the Grand Final for the fourth time in a row.
My tip: Melbourne's spine is electric and could win over the Penrith spine, however their forward pack is just lacking. The Storm have struggled across the year with the Bromwich brothers and Felise Kaufusi going up north to the Dolphins. Penrith just have a dominant forward pack and cohesive spine that always works and gives results. If Melbourne want any chance to win, they must hit the ground running and try something different. I think in the end the Panthers will just get over. Panthers by 6.
