It's fitting that the biggest match of the season so far be played in front of a sold out crowd at Suncorp Stadium in Magic Round.
With both sides boasting 8-1 records and sitting first and second on the ladder the hype will build throughout the week before the last two premiers square off on Saturday night.
For 2020 champions Melbourne, the injuries to star halfback Jahrome Hughes, fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen and centre Reimis Smith leaves some big holes to fill but such is their depth that few expect them to miss a beat.
For defending premiers Penrith the motivation is two-fold - making amends for a shock loss to the Eels in round nine and taking down the team that most regard as the biggest threat to back-to-back titles.
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The Rundown
Team news
Storm: Rookie playmaker Cooper Johns will replace Jahrome Hughes (calf) after the Kiwis halfback failed a late fitness test and was forced to join star fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen (hamstring/knee) in the grand stand. It will the eighth NRL appearance and first this season for the son of former Kangaroos five-eighth Matt Johns. The 22-year-old will join Tyran Wishart, the son of fellow former Kangaroos star, Rod Wishart, in an experienced Storm spine. After originally naming Nick Meaney in the No.1 to replace Papenhuyzen, coach Craig Bellamy opted on Friday to promote Wishart from the bench to to fullback and send Meaney back to his usual wing spot. Dean Ieremia drops out and Tui Kamikamica is the new face on the bench.
Centre Reimis Smith (pectoral) is also out and the NRL has granted approval for development squad member Marion Seve to be selected.
Panthers: Bench forward Scott Sorensen returns after missing the Eels game due to illness so Matt Eisenhuth goes back to the reserves list.
There were no further changes to the squad to the side, but coach Ivan Cleary will miss the clash after undergoing a second knee surgery. Assistant coaches Andrew Webster and Cameron Ciraldo will take control of the side, as they did last week against the Eels.
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Key match-up
Jahrome Hughes v Nathan Cleary: In a heavyweight showdown that boasts mouth-watering duels across the park, including Harry Grant v Api Koroisau and Cameron Munster v Jarome Luai, it's the halfbacks who'll have the biggest say. After missing the first three rounds of the season, Cleary has been at his majestic best, racking up seven try assists and 15 tackle breaks as well as forcing eight dropouts with his pinpoint kicks. Hughes is a proven big-game performer whose 34 tackle breaks, six try assists and six line breaks have been pivotal to the Storm's stunning start to 2022.
Stat attack
The NRL's two most potent sides match motors here. Melbourne have piled on an incredible 162 points in their past three matches and are averaging 37 points per game while the Panthers are going at 28ppg. Defensively they boast identical records with 110 points conceded at a miserly 12 per game.
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