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Melbourne Storm v Penrith Panthers Friday 8:05pm at AAMI Park, Melbourne / Wurundjeri

Lachlan gives his thoughts on the upcoming clash between the Melbourne Storm and the Penrith Panthers.

The hunt for four straight begins

The Panthers will be looking to pounce in this crucial first round clash against the Melbourne Storm on Friday night. Kicking off just past 8pm at AAMI Park, these are two sides who have been ranked consistently amongst the top echelon for quite some time, with this game itself being a rematch of the 2020 NRL grand final. Although it's obviously Penrith who's carrying the momentum into this game from their three straight premierships, Bellamy's Storm haven't lost a first round game in 23 years and they will be desperate to keep that record alive.

Cameron Munster has been named to play for the Storm despite his preseason shower incident which led to concerns surrounding a groin injury. Apart from this mishap, Melbourne travelled through the pre-season fairly unscathed, recording a comfortable 28-10 win against the Knights last time out. That match was played in Fiji, a positive sign for the NRL as competition for the 18th club licence continues to build. 

21 year old Joe Chan has been named to start for Melbourne after making his NRL debut last year. Trent Loeiro is set to start at lock, with Tigers recruit Shawn Blore missing out on a place in the 17, named at 18th man. In big albeit expected news for the home side, Ryan Papenhuyzen is the number one after a severely injury-affected 2023.

The visitors had a very different build up to the 2024 season than the other 16 clubs, with a visit to Wigan ending in disappointment for Penrith. The Panthers did not get the opportunity to play two full pre-season challenge games, instead contesting the World Club Challenge, played under much more serious conditions. The loss was their fourth in four attempts at the title. Jarome Luai sat out the Warriors game with injury, but he has been named. 

This Friday will be Luai's first game since last year's grand final, and also his first since signing a contract with the Wests Tigers from 2025. Turuva has been named despite injury concerns following the WCC defeat. Stephen Crichton's departure to the Bulldogs makes way for Taylan May to take the first crack at centre alongside Izack Tago, while Luke Sommerton is the number nine in the absence of the suspended Mitch Kenny. Daine Laurie, Soni Luke, and Brad Schneider are all names who miss out one round one who will be hoping to force their way into the side over the course of the season.

The Panthers have won six of eight meetings with Melbourne since their grand final meeting in 2020. 

Last meeting: Finals Week 3 2023 - Panthers 38 Storm 4

Who to watch: Despite being born in Sydney, Joe Chan first established himself as a top flight footballer in the Northern Hemisphere with the Catalans Dragons. In 2023 he signed with the Melbourne Storm, playing out the majority of the season in the Queensland Cup competition with the East Brisbane Tigers. He made his NRL debut off the bench for the Storm in round 27, and went on to win the Queensland Cup title with the Tigers a few weeks later. Chan has been given an early crack at the starting 13 this weekend, and will be keen to prove himself as worthy of that spot consistently. 

Following the departure of Api Koroisau, Mitch Kenny slotted straight into the hooker role in 2023 for the Panthers. However he will be watching from the sidelines this weekend due to an off-field occurrence, giving Luke Sommerton a great opportunity to show his worth in the number nine role. Sommeton made his NRL debut in round 24 last season in a win against Manly, and the 24 year old will definitely want to show Mitch Kenny that the hooker jersey does not automatically belong to him. 

Favourite: Although away from home, the defending premiers are the favourites to get the job done against Melbourne. 

My tip:  Panthers will bounce back from their World Club Challenge defeat to Wigan and get home in a close one, ending Melbourne's streak of first round victories. Penrith by 4.

1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. William Warbrick 3. Reimis Smith 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 20. Jonah Pezet 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Joe Chan 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Christian Welch 16. Chris Lewis 17. Alec MacDonald 19. Kane Bradley

1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Taylan May 5. Brian To'o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Luke Sommerton 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Luke Garner 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Liam Henry 17. Matt Eisenhuth 19. Soni Luke 18. Daine Laurie

Referees: Gerard Sutton; Sideline Officials: Phil Henderson, David Munro; Video Referees: Adam Gee;