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After going down in a thriller to Parramatta, Penrith's premiership credentials will be further examined when they face a Storm side shooting for three wins in a row.

The Panthers will have learned lessons after squandering a 10-0 lead against the undefeated Eels, while Melbourne look dangerous having adjusted to the new six-again rule.

The Storm have been a bogey team for Penrith, beating them in 18 of their past 20 meetings dating back to 2006. The Panthers last trumped Melbourne in 2018.

The Rundown

Team News

Panthers: The Panthers will start the match 1-17 after Jack Hetherington and Caleb Aekins were the last two omitted. Dylan Edwards returns from injury at fullback. Liam Martin replaces the injured Kurt Capewell in the back row and Billy Burns joins the interchange. Mitch Kenny and Brent Naden were the players to make way from the initial 21-man squad on Thursday. The Panthers have won only two of their past 20 games against the Storm.

Storm: Marion Seve will start in the wing spot vacated by Josh Addo-Carr - who is expecting the birth of his child and is out of the side. Paul Momirovski, who was initially named to replace Addo-Carr, is out of the team. He and Max King were the last two players dropped from the squad. For the third straight week, Brandon Smith will start at prop, with Christian Welch dropping back to the bench. Jahrome Hughes (broken hand) was cut from the extended squad a day before kick-off. The Storm have won four from four at Campbelltown Stadium.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan Edwards
    Fullback for Storm is number 1 Ryan Papenhuyzen
  • Winger for Panthers is number 2 Josh Mansour
    Winger for Storm is number 2 Suliasi Vunivalu
  • Centre for Panthers is number 3 Dean Whare
    Centre for Storm is number 3 Justin Olam
  • Centre for Panthers is number 4 Stephen Crichton
    Centre for Storm is number 4 Brenko Lee
  • Winger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'o
    Winger for Storm is number 19 Marion Seve
  • Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Jarome Luai
    Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron Munster
  • Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Nathan Cleary
    Halfback for Storm is number 7 Ryley Jacks

Forwards

  • Prop for Panthers is number 8 James Tamou
    Prop for Storm is number 8 Jesse Bromwich
  • Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Apisai Koroisau
    Hooker for Storm is number 9 Cameron Smith
  • Prop for Panthers is number 10 James Fisher-Harris
    Prop for Storm is number 14 Brandon Smith
  • 2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Viliame Kikau
    2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Felise Kaufusi
  • 2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Liam Martin
    2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Kenneath Bromwich
  • Lock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah Yeo
    Lock for Storm is number 13 Dale Finucane

Interchange

  • Interchange for Panthers is number 14 Matt Burton
    Interchange for Storm is number 10 Christian Welch
  • Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Zane Tetevano
    Interchange for Storm is number 15 Tino Fa'asuamaleaui
  • Interchange for Panthers is number 16 Moses Leota
    Interchange for Storm is number 16 Tom Eisenhuth
  • Interchange for Panthers is number 17 Billy Burns
    Interchange for Storm is number 17 Nelson Asofa-Solomona

Match Officials

  • Referee: Ashley Klein
  • Touch Judge: Chris Butler
  • Touch Judge: Peter Gough
  • Senior Review Official: Jared Maxwell

Last updated:

Key Match-Up

He turns 37 on Thursday, but Cameron Smith is still very much elite. The Storm hooker was outstanding against Newcastle, proving he can use his unparalleled game smarts to thrive under the six-again rule. Meanwhile, Api Koroisau is a focal point of Penrith's attack and always dangerous from dummy-half.

Acknowledgement of Country

National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.

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