Panthers v Storm: Edwards out; Meaney, Olam return
The Panthers and Storm have been consistently among the competition’s top teams at this time of the year over the past few seasons, and once again they both sit inside the top four with the Panthers on the cusp of securing their second minor premiership in three years.
Penrith allayed fears that they would go into freefall without halfback Nathan Cleary in their side with a comfortable 26-6 victory over Canberra last week, with the performance showcasing the depth coach Ivan Cleary has at his disposal.
The Storm continued their return to form with a 32-14 win against the last-placed Titans, led by the brilliance of Cameron Munster, and have kept themselves in the driver’s seat when it comes to the battle for a place in the top four.
Back in May when they last met it was the Panthers who came away with a 32-6 win at Suncorp Stadium as part of Magic Round.
Sportsbet Betting preview: Panthers v Storm
The Rundown
Team news
Panthers: Fullback Dylan Edwards has succumbed to injury, with Charlie Staines promoted to the starting line-up when the team was finalised 60 minutes before kick-off. Winger Taylan May dropped out on Wednesday with a shoulder injury, replaced in the starting side by Sunia Turuva. The new man on the bench is Robert Jennings. After initially being named on the reserves list Viliame Kikau has come into the starting side after recovering from a hip injury so Chris Smith drops out. Matt Eisenhuth will start at prop in place of the suspended James Fisher-Harris.
Storm: A late forward re-shuffle with Brandon Smith to start at lock and Tui Kamikamica moving from the interchange to the second-row. Josh King and Tom Eisenhuth drop back the bench. Cooper Johns looks set for an extended run in the halves, with Jahrome Hughes suffering a partial dislocation of his shoulder last week. Cameron Munster moves back to five-eighth with Nick Meaney returning from the concussion he suffered in Round 19. Centre Justin Olam is back from his COVID lay-off so Young Tonumaipea goes to the reserves.
Match: Panthers v Storm
Round 22 -
home Team
Panthers
away Team
Storm
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Panthers is number 18 Charlie StainesFullback for Storm is number 1 Nick Meaney
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Winger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'oWinger for Storm is number 2 David Nofoaluma
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Centre for Panthers is number 3 Izack TagoCentre for Storm is number 3 Marion Seve
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Centre for Panthers is number 4 Stephen CrichtonCentre for Storm is number 4 Justin Olam
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Winger for Panthers is number 17 Sunia TuruvaWinger for Storm is number 5 Xavier Coates
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Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Jaeman SalmonFive-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron Munster
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Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Sean O'SullivanHalfback for Storm is number 7 Cooper Johns
Forwards
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Prop for Panthers is number 8 Moses LeotaProp for Storm is number 8 Jesse Bromwich
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Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Apisai KoroisauHooker for Storm is number 9 Harry Grant
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Prop for Panthers is number 10 Matthew EisenhuthProp for Storm is number 10 Nelson Asofa-Solomona
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2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Liam Martin2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Kenneath Bromwich
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2nd Row for Panthers is number 22 Viliame Kikau2nd Row for Storm is number 15 Tui Kamikamica
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Lock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah YeoLock for Storm is number 14 Brandon Smith
Interchange
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Interchange for Panthers is number 14 Mitch KennyInterchange for Storm is number 11 Tom Eisenhuth
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Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Scott SorensenInterchange for Storm is number 13 Josh King
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Interchange for Panthers is number 16 Spencer LeniuInterchange for Storm is number 16 Chris Lewis
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Interchange for Panthers is number 20 Robert JenningsInterchange for Storm is number 17 Tyran Wishart
Reserves
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Replacement for Panthers is number 19 J'maine HopgoodReplacement for Storm is number 18 Alec MacDonald
Match Officials
- Referee: Gerard Sutton
- Touch Judge: Darian Furner
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins
Last updated:
Key match-up
Api Koroisau v Harry Grant: A month on from facing off in the Origin arena, the pair clash again at club level with their personal dual sure to be a crucial factor. Grant pushed through the full 80 minutes for the injury-hit Storm last week, topping the game for tackles made with 39 and running for 130 metres. Koroisau meanwhile was crucial to Penrith getting back to winning ways against the Raiders, scoring his side’s opening try in a 74-minute stint. He will again be an important part of the Panthers attack in the absence of Cleary and Jarome Luai.
Stat Attack
Despite both missing key attacking weapons, these sides found their mojo with ball in hand last week following some struggles in recent times. Melbourne’s 32 points scored against the Titans in round 21 was the most they have managed since round 15, while similarly Penrith’s 26-point haul against the Raiders was the most they have registered since round 16. The Panthers and Storm are the two highest scoring teams across the 2022 season, averaging 26.5 and 26.3 per game respectively.
Match: Panthers v Storm
Round 22 -
home Team
Panthers
1st Position
away Team
Storm
4th Position
Venue: Penrith Park, Penrith
