Storm v Panthers: Wild about Harry; McLean back on deck
After holding on to top spot since Round 4, the Panthers finally relinquished their grip last weekend and will be out to bounce back against the Storm.
Losses to the Warriors and Roosters in consecutive weeks have left the Panthers vulnerable to potentially even dropping out of the top four if results go against them.
The Cowboys' loss to the Eels has left the door slightly ajar for the Storm, who face a torrid run home against the Panthers, Broncos and Sharks but won't be simply rolling over in the run to the finish.
With so much at stake for both clubs this promises to be a cracking encounter at AAMI Park as the Storm play their last game on home turf for 2026.
Match: Storm v Panthers
Round 25 -
home Team
Storm
11th Position
away Team
Panthers
2nd Position
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Storm: Captain Harry Grant is back from a hamstring injury so Tyran Wishart slides to the bench. Joe Chan also goes to the bench to accommodate the return of centre Jack Howarth (shoulder). Trent Toelau has been handed the No.7 jersey with youngster Hayden Watson making way. Alec MacDonald is back from concussion and joins the interchange. Jack Hetherington and Davvy Moale drop to the reserves.
Panthers: Young gun Casey McLean returns from a hand injury and takes over in the centres from Paul Alamoti (hamstring). Jack Cole has been added to the interchange in place of Jaxen Edgar.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Storm is number 1 Sualauvi FaalogoFullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan Edwards
-
Winger for Storm is number 2 Siulagi Tuimalatu-BrownWinger for Panthers is number 2 Thomas Jenkins
-
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 Casey McLean
-
Winger for Storm is number 5 Moses LeoWinger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'o
-
Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron MunsterFive-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Jack Cogger
-
Halfback for Storm is number 7 Trent ToelauHalfback 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 Freddy Lussick
-
Prop for Storm is number 10 Josh KingProp for Panthers is number 10 Liam Henry
-
2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Shawn Blore2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Isaiah Papali'i
-
2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Oryn Keeley2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Liam Martin
-
Lock for Storm is number 13 Trent LoieroLock for Panthers is number 13 Lindsay Smith
Interchange
-
Interchange for Storm is number 14 Tyran WishartInterchange for Panthers is number 14 Billy Scott
-
Interchange for Storm is number 15 Alec MacDonaldInterchange for Panthers is number 15 Scott Sorensen
-
Interchange for Storm is number 16 Angus HincheyInterchange for Panthers is number 16 Luron Patea
-
Interchange for Storm is number 17 Cooper ClarkeInterchange for Panthers is number 17 Billy Phillips
-
Interchange for Storm is number 18 Joe ChanInterchange for Panthers is number 18 Jack Cole
-
Interchange for Storm is number 19 Manaia WaitereInterchange for Panthers is number 19 Blaize Talagi
Reserves
-
Reserve for Storm is number 20 Davvy MoaleReserve for Panthers is number 20 Jaxen Edgar
-
Reserve for Storm is number 21 Jack HetheringtonReserve for Panthers is number 21 Luke Garner
-
Reserve for Storm is number 22 Hayden WatsonReserve for Panthers is number 22 Jesse McLean
Storm Ins
- Alec MacDonald
- Harry Grant
- Jack Howarth
Panthers Ins
- Casey McLean
- Jack Cole
- Jesse McLean
- Luke Garner
Storm Outs
Panthers Ins
- Paul Alamoti
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Senior Review Official: Wyatt Raymond
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Storm have won nine from 10 against the Panthers at AAMI Park.
- Panthers winger Brian To’o has scored nine tries in his last nine games against the Storm.
- The Storm have won their last nine games immediately following a bye.
- Ivan Cleary will reach the milestone of 500 games as NRL coach.
- Storm winger Moses Leo has scored five tries in his last four games at AAMI Park.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
