Three years after their thrilling 26-20 grand final clash, the Storm and Panthers prepare to face off in a preliminary final at Accor Stadium.
It was Melbourne who came out on top in the 2020 decider but it proved to be the game that ignited the Penrith dynasty as the defending champions and minor premiers head to Homebush as hot favourites.
After humbling the Warriors 32-6 in the first week of the play offs, Penrith find themselves well rested and just 80 minutes from creating history as they look to claim a third straight premiership.
Meanwhile, the Storm booked their ticket in the Preliminary Finals — as they have done in their past eight out of nine seasons — with a last gasp victory over the Roosters on Friday.
The Melbourne powerhouse have already ridden the highs and lows of finals footy and will head to Accor battle-hardened after keeping their season alive with a 79th minute try, seven days after a demoralising 26-0 defeat to the Broncos.
Craig Bellamy's side are no strangers to the men from the mountains, having met them on seven occasions since 2020 but it's the Panthers with the wood on Storm having come out on top in five of those matches.
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Team News
Panthers: The premiers are 1-17 with no late changes. Five-eighth Jarome Luai (shoulder) and centre Izack Tago (pectoral) are both back on deck in a boost for the Panthers. Luai has missed the past two matches after dislocating his shoulder against the Eels in Round 26 but will definitely play after coach Ivan Cleary confirmed the news on Thursday. Jack Cogger and Luke Garner go back to the interchange bench while Zac Hosking goes to the reserves and Tyrone Peachey to 18th Man. Nathan Cleary suffered a finger injury at training on Monday but has been named at halfback and will play.
Storm: Late changes an hour before kick-off with Bronson Garlick to start the game at hooker in jersey No.19 and Harry Grant going to the bench. Nelson Asofa-Solomona will also start, pushing Christian Welch to the bench. Tyran Wishart has dropped back to 18th Man.
Halfback Jahrome Hughes returns from a calf injury but Xavier Coates (ankle) remains sidelined so Reimis Smith retains his spot on the wing. Forward Tui Kamikamica (head knock) has been included in the run-on side.
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Stat Attack
- The Panthers have won their past seven finals matches.
- The Panthers have won four of their past five games against the Storm.
- The Storm have won five of their past six games at Accor Stadium.
- The Storm’s Craig Bellamy will coach his 50th finals game.
- Panthers centre Stephen Crichton has scored four tries in his past five games against the Storm.
- Harry Grant runs from dummy-half more than any other player in the NRL, at an average of 6.6 per game.
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Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.