The Panthers and Storm meet in the match of the round at BlueBet Stadium on Friday night with both heavyweight clubs set to face off for another chapter that has seen plenty of rivalry in recent years.
Penrith are on the cusp on an elusive and rare three-peat with many asking the question of just who can stop them in September as the finals run begins to heat up.
Melbourne will put their hand up and say they can but their inconsistency this season has been uncharacteristic for a Craig Bellamy side despite them well-placed in the top eight after 22 rounds.
Both these sides only met a month ago at Marvel Stadium with the Panthers - minus Nathan Cleary - running down a Storm side who shot out to a 14-0 lead early.
The contest provides the perfect opportunity for Bellamy's men to get into the groove of finals football while for Ivan Cleary's side they'll have one eye on the minor premiership with the Broncos giving them a good battle for top spot.
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Team news
Panthers: One late change for the home side with Lindsay Smith set to start and Moses Leota switching back to the bench. The versatile Zac Hosking has been named to replace Tyrone Peachey (suspended) in the centres in the only main change to the side that beat the Sharks. Izack Tago (leg) dropped out of the extended squad on Thursday and will look to return in Round 24.
Storm: Changes galore for the visitors. Jahrome Hughes (illness) and Xavier Coates (hip) are both out with Jonah Pezet the new halfback and George Jennings coming onto the wing. Nelson Asofa-Solomona's return from a finger injury will be from the bench with Tom Eisenhuth to start and Tyran Wishart coming onto the interchange for Alec MacDonald, who drops out of the 17. Bronson Garlick will be 18th man.
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Stat Attack
- The Panthers have won four of their past six games against the Storm since losing the 2020 grand final.
- Storm have won seven of their past nine games against Penrith at BlueBet Stadium.
- The Panthers have not beaten Melbourne twice in a regular season since 2005.
- Hooker Harry Grant has scored six tries in his past six games for the Storm.
- The Panthers have won their past seven games at BlueBet Stadium.
- Storm fullback Nick Meaney has landed 19 of his past 20 attempts at goal.
- Panthers winger Brian To’o has scored 12 tries in his past nine games at BlueBet Stadium.
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Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.