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Stat Attack: Storm pull clear of Panthers in the pace race

The Storm have the pace advantage over the Panthers heading into Sunday's grand final at ANZ Stadium, according to Telstra Tracker data. 

Having combed through every round this season, the results show that Melbourne boast the two fastest players and also have the edge for high-speed efforts.

Josh Addo-Carr - the NRL's quickest man - owns the top speed of 37.2km/h while his wing partner Suliasi Vunivalu is next at 35km/h. Panthers fullback Dylan Edwards (34.5km/h) leads the way for the minor premiers.

Melbourne interchange utility Nicho Hynes and fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen jointly rank fourth with highs of 33.8km/h.

Then come Panthers winger Brian To'o (33.6km/h) and rookie Charlie Staines (33.5).

Moving onto high-speed efforts - bursts of 20km/h or more. Papenhuyzen is the clear leader, having posted 42 on a couple of occasions including last Friday's win over the Raiders.

Hynes (39) is second with Brent Naden (36) representing Penrith on the podium ahead of Liam Martin, their non-selected teammates Staines and Caleb Aikens, and Melbourne centre Justin Olam - all on 33.

But the Panthers are well on top in the maximum distance category thanks to halfback Nathan Cleary, whose personal-best of 10.3km in a match was easily the most between the teams.

And Penrith second-rower Martin showed up the backs by sliding into second spot with 9.7km.

Cleary's halves partner Jarome Luai was tied for third on 9.6km with several Storm players - Papenhuyzen, Ryley Jacks (who isn't in the grand final squad), Cameron Munster and Cameron Smith.

Looking back to last weekend, Melbourne topped all three categories as they racked up a 30-10 win against Canberra.

Smith's 9.6km came in that match, so too Papenhuyzen's latest haul of 42 high-speed efforts, while Addo-Carr clicked up to 36.4km/h.

Cleary managed 9.5km against the Rabbitohs to sit behind Smith. Martin (9km) and Panthers teammates Kurt Capewell (8.8) and Luai (8.5) also made the top five.

Raiders five-eighth and Dally M Medal winner Jack Wighton had the second-most high-speed efforts (35) followed by teammate Semi Valemei (31), Smith (29) and Penrith utility Tyrone May (28).

Vunivalu (35km/h), Papenhuyzen (33.9), Edwards (32.9) and Canberra's Jordan Rapana (32.9) filled out the weekly speed leaderboard.

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