Stat Attack: Foxx return ensures Storm have speed edge

With the return of the flying Foxx, the Storm are set to have the three fastest players on the field in Saturday afternoon's preliminary final against the Panthers.

In the two matches that Josh Addo-Carr has been out due to a hamstring injury, fans have marvelled at the speed of Sea Eagles winger Jason Saab with some crowning him the game's quickest man.

But Telstra Tracker data is still on the side of Addo-Carr, whose personal-best mark this season of 38.1km/h is yet to be equalled, though Saab (PB of 38km/h) is nipping at his heels.

However, Penrith don't boast any speedsters in Saab's league, so they'll need to make sure Addo-Carr doesn't see much open space.

Behind Addo-Carr, Panthers winger Brent Naden (35.1km/h) is the next fastest player in the prelim, but it's expected that he'll make way for Brian To'o provided he passes final tests on his ankle.

Melbourne fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen (34.8km/h) and centre Reimis Smith (34.4km/h) are the only others to have cracked 34km/h in 2021.

But while the Storm back five have the pace advantage, their Penrith counterparts have proven to be hard-working, powerful ball runners.

Even discounting To'o, Penrith's named back five (Dylan Edwards, Naden, Paul Momirovski, Matt Burton and Stephen Crichton) lead their counterparts for average total distance (7730m v 6916) and high-speed metres (488m v 457m) per match.

And they also average 67 runs per match for 623m compared to the Melbourne quintet's average of 52 runs for 476m.