NRL Grand Final preview - Storm v Panthers

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Melbourne Storm v Penrith Panthers Sunday 7:30pm at Accor Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park / Wanngal

27 rounds. Over 200 games of rugby league across three countries. It all comes down to 80 minutes at Accor Stadium.

The two best teams in the NRL over the last five years do battle on the grandest stage of them all. The Penrith Panthers and the Melbourne Storm will run onto the hallowed turf at Accor Stadium with one goal in mind, to lift the Provan Summons trophy and be named the 2024 NRL Premiers. 

The minor premiers in the Panthers are coming off a convincing 26-6 win against the Sharks at Accor Stadium last weekend to qualify for the grand final. In unpleasant conditions, the Panthers were brilliant from start to finish as they held the Sharks to just the one try when it was too little too late. 

There were concerns about Nathan Cleary's shoulder towards the back end of the game, with Cleary coming off the field when the result was all but secured. Coach Ivan Cleary has said that his son and star half will need surgery over the off-season to resolve his issue, but it will be all systems go come Sunday night. 

The Melbourne Storm absolutely obliterated the Sydney Roosters to secure their spot in the decider, in a 48-16 trouncing of the tri-colours at AAMI Park. 

Despite being down to 12 men for the first 10 minutes, the Storm showed their systemic class with Jahrome Hughes once again proving why he should be the Dally M Player of the year. Doubles to Cameron Munster and Ryan Papenhuyzen just put the cherry on the top of what was a class performance at home. 

With an expected crowd of 85,000 anxiously waiting for this game to play out, there will be a mountain of pressure on both sides to produce their best 80 minutes of the season to finish what they've started. 

The Storm have lost Nelson Asofa-Solomona to suspension, which sees Tui Kamikamica called up to the starting side and Lazarus Vaalepu moving to the bench for the biggest game of his career. Grant Anderson remains 18th man. 

The Panthers have named the same 17 from last week, with Scott Sorenson still touch and go to play this Sunday. Brad Schneider will be the utility man should either half or hooker Mitch Kenny go down during the game, having seen that tactic work wonders last year for the premiers.

Last meeting: Round 24 2024 - Panthers 22 Storm 24

Who to watch: There's always someone who steps up in these games for the Storm, and this week it will be Jack Howarth. While not a name that has the impact of a Cam Munster or Harry Grant, Howarth has been brilliant in the second half of the season for Melbourne. One of the better defensive centres in the competition at the moment, he's got a knack of being there in support when the Storm make a break and will bust his backside no matter what the scoreline says to rally his team. I would not be surprised at all if Howarth scores the first try  of the game purely through sheer workrate, supporting off a kick. 

Say what you want about the impact the Panthers spine can have, but James Fisher-Harris will have one gameplan for his first stint - run hard, hit hard, tire the Storm out. With no Nelson for the Storm, Fisher-Harris will look to make a massive impact in the opening minutes with crunching hits on the Storm forwards, as well as charging hard at the likes of Harry Grant and Jahrome Hughes to limit their impact. If Fisher-Harris can make 15 tackles and run for 80 metres in his first stint, he will have gone a long way to getting his side well and truly on the front foot. 

FAVOURITE: The Storm hold very narrow favouritism at the time of publication.

MY TIP: A record in the NRL era, the Panthers compete in their fifth grand final in a row. Last year, they came back from 16 points down to win on the stroke of full time against a Broncos side who switched off. This year, the Storm won't give them that opportunity. While the Panthers know how to win these games, the Storm will temper the early attack and kick on in the second half through Jahrome Hughes and Cameron Munster. This is not to say that the dynasty is over.. .but in 2024, the Panthers will be Thunderstruck on Grand Final day. Melbourne by 4.

1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. William Warbrick 3. Jack Howarth 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Christian Welch 16. Lazarus Vaalepu 17. Alec MacDonald 18. Grant Anderson

1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Brian To'o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 19. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 11. Luke Garner 14. Brad Schneider 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Liam Henry 17. Matt Eisenhuth

Referees: Ashley Klein; Sideline Officials: Dave Munro, Chris Sutton; Video Referees: Grant Atkins;