Penrith Panthers v Melbourne Storm
Saturday 6 June, 7.30pm
Pepper Stadium
TV: Fox Sports 1, LIVE from 7:30pm
Online: NRL Digital Pass
Radio: To be confirmed
Melbourne Storm will be looking to bounce back on Saturday night against Penrith after suffering a 2-24 defeat in Sydney last week.
The loss to the Roosters sees Melbourne slip out of top position on the table but still inside the NRL's top four heading into Round 13. A short, five-day turnaround presents an opportunity for Craig Bellamy's side to quickly make amends when they travel to Penrith to take on the Panthers after staying in Sydney for the week.
Penrith will also enter Saturday night's clash coming off a loss after suffering a narrow defeat to the Eels in a high scoring Friday night football encounter last weekend.
Get to AAMI Park on Monday 15 June when Storm host the Eels. It's Monday mates night! Get your 2-for-1 tickets, food & drink offers.
For Melbourne, fullback Billy Slater has been named to return in the number one jersey after a week off. The Australian and Queensland representative replaces youngster Cameron Munster while Christian Welch, Ben Hampton and Hymel Hunt have all been included on an extended interchange bench.
Storm were dealt a further blow mid-week with winger Marika Koroibete ruled out for up to six weeks with a thumb injury. Koroibete's replacement will be named one hour prior to kick-off on Saturday night with the vacancy on the wing presenting an opportunity for a number of Storm's outside backs plying their trade in the Intrust Super Cup.
In team news for the Panthers, both Matt Moylan and Robert Jennings have been forced to make way due to injury. As a result, Ivan Cleary's hand has been forced into a backline re-shuffle headlined by Dallin Watene Zelezniak's move to fullback. Former Storm forward and premiership player Sika Manu has been named to start in the back-row.
TEAMS:
Melbourne Storm: 1. Billy Slater, 2. Mahe Fonua, 3. Will Chambers, 4. Kurt Mann, 5. Marika Koroibete, 6. Blake Green, 7. Cooper Cronk, 8. Jesse Bromwich, 9. Cameron Smith (c), 10. Tim Glasby, 11. Kevin Proctor, 12. Tohu Harris, 13. Dale Finucane, 14. Ryan Hinchcliffe, 15. Kenny Bromwich, 16. Dayne Weston, 17. Felise Kaufusi, 18. Christian Welch, 19. Ben Hampton, 20. Hymel Hunt
Penrith Panthers: 1. Dallin Watene Zelezniak, 2. Waqa Blake, 3. Dean Whare, 4. Isaah Yeo, 5. David Simmons, 6. Jamie Soward, 7. Peter Wallace (c), 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard, 9. James Segeyaro, 10. Sam McKendry, 11. Lewis Brown, 12. Sika Manu, 13. Elijah Taylor, 14. Bryce Cartwright, 15. Jeremy Latimore, 16. Tyrone Peachey, 17. Nigel Plum, 18. Adam Docker
MATCH OFFICIALS:
Referees – Adam Devcich, Alan Shortall
Sideline Officials – Steve Carrall, Belinda Sleeman
Video Referees – Bernard Sutton, Ben Galea
HEAD TO HEAD:
Overall
Played: 28
Melbourne: 21
Penrith: 7
In Penrith:
Played: 12
Melbourne: 7
Penrith: 5
LAST TIME THEY MET:
Round 24, 2014
Melbourne Storm 24
Tries: Will Chambers, Marika Koroibete, Ben Roberts, Billy Slater
Goals: Cameron Smith 4
Defeated.
Penrith Panthers 10
Tries: Jamal Idris, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
Goals: Jamie Soward 1
at Sportingbet Stadium.
