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Last year's grand finalists meet again with the Storm refreshed off a bye and primed to make an early statement against the four-time defending champions.
On the back of a devastating first-up win over the Eels, Craig Bellamy's men welcome back enforcer Nelson Asofa-Solomona from the suspension that cost him a grand final appearance in 2024.
The Panthers are coming off a shock loss to the Roosters in their first match at their new home ground CommBank Stadium and will be sweating on a groin injury suffered by star fullback Dylan Edwards.
The Storm beat the Panthers twice during the regular season in 2024 but in the game that mattered most it was Liam Martin, Isaah Yeo and Nathan Cleary standing tall as the champions wrote another remarkable chapter in grand final folklore.
Match: Storm v Panthers
Round 3 -
home Team
Storm
1st Position
away Team
Panthers
11th Position
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Team News
Storm: No further game day changes after Nelson Asofa-Solomona was added to the bench 24 hours out from kick-off in his return from the five-game ban that cost him a grand final berth last year. Lazarus Vaalepu drops out of the squad. Kiwi winger Will Warbrick (concussion) is replaced by Grant Anderson.
Panthers: A late change with former Eel Blaize Talagi joining the bench an hour before kick-off to make his club debut. Thomas Jenkins has come into the side at fullback with Dylan Edwards nursing a groin injury and the man originally named to replace him, Daine Laurie, dropping out due to injury on Wednesday. New recruit Isaiah Papali'i is set for his first match since the club's Las Vegas opener and has been named on the bench in his return from a hip injury. Brad Schneider is 18th man.
Match: Storm v Panthers
Round 3 -
home Team
Storm
away Team
Panthers
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Storm is number 1 Ryan PapenhuyzenFullback for Panthers is number 22 Thomas Jenkins
-
Winger for Storm is number 2 Grant AndersonWinger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'o
-
Centre for Storm is number 3 Jack HowarthCentre for Panthers is number 3 Izack Tago
-
Centre for Storm is number 4 Nick MeaneyCentre for Panthers is number 4 Paul Alamoti
-
Winger for Storm is number 5 Xavier CoatesWinger for Panthers is number 24 Casey McLean
-
Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron MunsterFive-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Jack Cole
-
Halfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome HughesHalfback for Panthers is number 7 Nathan Cleary
Forwards
-
Prop for Storm is number 8 Stefano UtoikamanuProp for Panthers is number 8 Moses Leota
-
Hooker for Storm is number 9 Harry GrantHooker for Panthers is number 9 Mitch Kenny
-
Prop for Storm is number 10 Josh KingProp for Panthers is number 10 Lindsay Smith
-
2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Shawn Blore2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Scott Sorensen
-
2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Eliesa Katoa2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Liam Martin
-
Lock for Storm is number 13 Trent LoieroLock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah Yeo
Interchange
-
Interchange for Storm is number 14 Tyran WishartInterchange for Panthers is number 15 Isaiah Papali'i
-
Interchange for Storm is number 15 Alec MacDonaldInterchange for Panthers is number 16 Liam Henry
-
Interchange for Storm is number 16 Tui KamikamicaInterchange for Panthers is number 17 Luke Garner
-
Interchange for Storm is number 22 Nelson Asofa-SolomonaInterchange for Panthers is number 18 Blaize Talagi
Reserves
-
Replacement for Storm is number 20 Kane BradleyReplacement for Panthers is number 14 Brad Schneider
Match Officials
- Referee: Adam Gee
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Storm have won eight from nine against the Panthers at AAMI Park.
- Panthers winger Brian To’o has scored nine tries in 12 games against the Storm.
- Storm winger Xavier Coates has scored 31 tries in 28 games at AAMI Park.
- Panthers captain Nathan Cleary requires 14 points to break the club’s point scoring record.
- Halfback Jahrome Hughes will make his 150th appearance for the Storm.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
