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Penrith Panthers v Melbourne Storm Friday 8:00pm at BlueBet Stadium, Penrith / Dharug

Premiership heavyweights meet in crunch match

Two competition heavyweights in Penrith and Melbourne go head to head in a vital Round 23 match at the foot of the mountains on Friday night. 

Penrith have been the form side of the last three seasons and are well on their way for a third straight premiership. Only an act of god or a spectacular demise will see the Panthers fail to lift the trophy come the first Sunday of October. Their premiership credentials were confirmed with a shutout of the Sharks on home turf last start with Nathan Cleary showing his class with a perfect kicking game. 

Their start against Melbourne a few weeks ago left a lot to be desired and it took a herculean comeback to taste victory. A strong all-round performance will be required for the critics to firmly get on the Panther Express bound for Accor Stadium. Dylan Edwards will be ultra-consistent at the back while Isack Tago will return after show a great run of form since his return from a pec injury. Their forwards have been consistent with James Fisher-Harris, Moses Leota and Scott Sorenson leaving teams in their wake. 

Zac Hosking has been named to replace the suspended Tyrone Peachey at centre although Tago has been named among the reserves and could come into the side later in the week. Jaeman Salmon is the new man on the bench.

Melbourne have had a mixed season. They've had moments where they've looked like they can compete for the premiership, and then the next they look like a side struggling to even make the top 4 and get that critical double chance. Their run into the finals is strong and it begins with Penrith on a cold, slippery Friday night. A task that has daunted so many in recent times.

For a victory against Penrith, they need to take a leaf out of what they did well against Penrith a few weeks ago at Marvel Stadium. They had the upper hand for the first half of that game until the final 10 minutes where they let their guard down and Penrith ran away with victory. Melbourne need to dominate the forward exchanges and reduce their back 5 out of yardage. That's all before stopping the potent Cleary around the ruck. Their attack needs to be on point with Munster, Hughes and Grant needing another 10/10 performance for victory.

Nelson Asofa-Solomona's return from a finger injury pushes Tom Eisenhuth to the bench and Tyran Wishart to 18th Man. Asofa-Solomona played on the edge when Eli Katoa was out with an eye injury but will most likely find himself back in the middle with Katoa having returned last week.

Last meeting: Round 18 2023 - Storm 16 Panthers 34

Who to watch: For Penrith, it's the man that just celebrated his 100 games at the NRL level in Scott Sorensen. Capping off an exceptional year with a fresh contract, Sorensen has caused all sorts of problems for opposition edges this year and will again be looking to cause nightmares for a Melbourne edge that has had it's fair share of problems in 2023. If given early ball down that side of the field, it's curtains for the Storm.

Onto the Melbourne side, it's Nick Meaney that has my focus. With the impending return of Ryan Papenhuyzen in a few weeks, it's likely Meaney will be playing for his Storm future. Having impressed so many with his year at the back, he'll be looking to continue what's been a breakout 2023 for the fullback with his damaging running game causing problems for all sides this season. 

Favourite: Home ground advantage and a rich vein of form has the premiers as favourites.

My tip: It's hard to tip against the back to back premiers when their in this run of form. I do expect Melbourne to give Penrith a good run for their money at home though so it doesn't appear to be as cut and dry as it seems on the surface. The kicking battle of the halves will decide the outcome of the game as the field position battle appears absolutely critical. Penrith by 7. 

1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Zac Hosking 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To'o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 15. Lindsay Smith 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 8. Moses Leota 14. Soni Luke 16. Matt Eisenhuth 17. Jaeman Salmon 19. Luke Garner

1. Nick Meaney 2. William Warbrick 3. Marion Seve 4. Young Tonumaipea 21. George Jennings 6. Cameron Munster 20. Jonah Pezet 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Harry Grant 10. Christian Welch 11. Trent Loiero 14. Tom Eisenhuth 13. Josh King 12. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 16. Tepai Moeroa 17. Eliesa Katoa 18. Tyran Wishart 19. Bronson Garlick

Referees: Adam Gee; Sideline Officials: Chris Sutton, Drew Oultram; Video Referees: Ashley Klein;