Panthers v Storm: Cleary on track; Asofa-Solomona likely
No-one had to wait too long for this grand final rematch and the Panthers in particular will relish the fact it's on their home turf and not in Melbourne.
The Storm will want to make amends for a stumble against the Eels last weekend, while Ivan Cleary's men are riding high on the back of scoring 52 points and conceding none in two rounds of football.
Memories of five months ago and the six-point grand final win to Storm won't be too strong but they'll still be there.
It was four tries apiece on October 25 at ANZ Stadium with the difference being conversions and penalty goals from the reliable boot of Cameron Smith.
Panthers v Storm: Get ready for the GF rematch
The Panthers on Tuesday said that in recognition of the incredible work of the NSW State Emergency Service, all NSW SES volunteers will receive free entry to the game.
The club said that volunteers should simply wear their NSW SES uniform or present your SES identification card to receive a free general admission ticket at any ticket window.
Panthers v Storm
Match: Panthers v Storm
Round 3 -
home Team
Panthers
1st Position
away Team
Storm
11th Position
Venue: BlueBet Stadium, Penrith
The rundown
Team news
Panthers: Nathan Cleary is out due to the head knock he copped last Saturday from former teammate Dallin Watene-Zelezniak in the win over Canterbury. Playmaker Matt Burton has been elevated from the reserves list and will play halfback.
Api Koroisau (broken wrist) is expected to miss at least another five weeks. Mitch Kenny took Koroisau's place against the Bulldogs and punched out 80 minutes.
Scott Sorensen and Jaeman Salmon were omitted from the reserves an hour before kick-off after Cleary and J'maine Hopgood dropped out of the squad on Wednesday.
The Panthers have not defeated the Storm in Penrith since 2013.
Storm: A few late changes for Melbourne. Tui Kamikamica starts at lock with Nelson Asofa-Solomona to come off the bench. Darryn Schonig and Tyson Smoothy join the interchange with Aaron Pene and Cooper Johns dropping out.
Fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen is out with a neck injury with Nicho Hynes promoted from the bench to take his spot.
Papenhuyzen and Dean Ieremia came out of the squad 24 hours before kick-off.
Centre Justin Olam has scored 12 tries in his past 12 games.
Brenko Lee (hamstring) and Dale Finucane (calf) are scheduled to return in round four, hooker Harry Grant (knee) in round six or seven and Max King (Achilles) no sooner than round eight.
Match: Panthers v Storm
Round 3 -
home Team
Panthers
away Team
Storm
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan EdwardsFullback for Storm is number 17 Nicholas Hynes
-
Winger for Panthers is number 2 Charlie StainesWinger for Storm is number 2 George Jennings
-
Centre for Panthers is number 3 Paul MomirovskiCentre for Storm is number 3 Reimis Smith
-
Centre for Panthers is number 4 Stephen CrichtonCentre for Storm is number 4 Justin Olam
-
Winger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'oWinger for Storm is number 5 Josh Addo-Carr
-
Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Jarome LuaiFive-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron Munster
-
Halfback for Panthers is number 19 Matt BurtonHalfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome Hughes
Forwards
-
Prop for Panthers is number 8 Moses LeotaProp for Storm is number 8 Jesse Bromwich
-
Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Mitch KennyHooker for Storm is number 9 Brandon Smith
-
Prop for Panthers is number 10 James Fisher-HarrisProp for Storm is number 10 Christian Welch
-
2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Viliame Kikau2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Tom Eisenhuth
-
2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Kurt Capewell2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Kenneath Bromwich
-
Lock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah YeoLock for Storm is number 15 Tui Kamikamica
Interchange
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 14 Tyrone MayInterchange for Storm is number 13 Nelson Asofa-Solomona
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Spencer LeniuInterchange for Storm is number 16 Chris Lewis
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 16 Matthew EisenhuthInterchange for Storm is number 19 Darryn Schonig
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 17 Liam MartinInterchange for Storm is number 20 Tyson Smoothy
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Key match-up
Jarome Luai v Cameron Munster: Two of the competition's liveliest No.6s get to pit their skills against each other once more. The Storm pivot and Panthers play-maker's often-unpredictable plays bring excitement to any game.
Storm star Munster is in the NRL top 10 for kicks during a game, while Penrith's Luai is there for engaging the defensive line. Their energy and ability to do the unexpected will add a lot of sugar and spice to this match.
Stat attack
These two clubs top the NRL in possession (around 60%) thus far in 2021 so errors and missed tackles could decide this one.
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