Ten months on from their epic showdown in the 2024 grand final the Panthers and Storm square off in what many predict will be a preview of this year's decider.
On the back of nine straight wins, the Panthers have risen from last on the ladder to fourth to make it abundantly clear that a fifth consecutive title is still very much on the cards.
With matches against the Storm, Raiders and Bulldogs in the next three weeks the premiers will get a stern test of their credentials as they head into another finals series.
The Storm have gone about their business in typically professional fashion, sitting inside the top four the entire season and looking every inch a contender to the Panthers' crown.
After the shock of losing star half Jahrome Hughes to a shoulder injury in Round 21 they have regrouped to win their next two matches and continue building momentum towards September.
Match: Panthers v Storm
Round 24 -
home Team
Panthers
6th Position
away Team
Storm
2nd Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Team News
Panthers: The Panthers are 1-17 with no late changes. Isaah Yeo's return from a shoulder injury remains on hold for another week, with Isaiah Papali'i to wear the No.13 jersey. The Panthers roll out the same 17 that defeated the Knights last week. Penrith have won their past six games at CommBank Stadium.
Storm: Big positional changes on game day with Cameron Munster going to fullback, Nick Meaney to centre, Joe Chan to the bench and Jonah Pezet comes in at five-eighth. Munster takes over at the back from Ryan Papenhuyzen, who has been ruled out with a concussion. Marion Seve will play his first NRL game since Round 4 in the centres. Bronson Garlick is 18th man. Nelson Asofa-Solomona was listed among the reserves after playing Queensland Cup last week but dropped out on Wednesday when the squad was trimmed to 19.
Match: Panthers v Storm
Round 24 -
home Team
Panthers
away Team
Storm
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan EdwardsFullback for Storm is number 6 Cameron Munster
-
Winger for Panthers is number 2 Thomas JenkinsWinger for Storm is number 2 Grant Anderson
-
Centre for Panthers is number 3 Izack TagoCentre for Storm is number 1 Nick Meaney
-
Centre for Panthers is number 4 Casey McLeanCentre for Storm is number 4 Marion Seve
-
Winger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'oWinger for Storm is number 5 Xavier Coates
-
Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Blaize TalagiFive-Eighth for Storm is number 14 Jonah Pezet
-
Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Nathan ClearyHalfback for Storm is number 7 Tyran Wishart
Forwards
-
Prop for Panthers is number 8 Moses LeotaProp for Storm is number 8 Stefano Utoikamanu
-
Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Mitch KennyHooker for Storm is number 9 Harry Grant
-
Prop for Panthers is number 10 Lindsay SmithProp for Storm is number 10 Josh King
-
2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Luke Garner2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Shawn Blore
-
2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Liam Martin2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Eliesa Katoa
-
Lock for Panthers is number 13 Isaiah Papali'iLock for Storm is number 13 Trent Loiero
Interchange
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 14 Brad SchneiderInterchange for Storm is number 3 Joe Chan
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Liam HenryInterchange for Storm is number 15 Alec MacDonald
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 16 Matthew EisenhuthInterchange for Storm is number 16 Tui Kamikamica
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 17 Scott SorensenInterchange for Storm is number 17 Ativalu Lisati
Reserves
-
Replacement for Panthers is number 18 Paul AlamotiReplacement for Storm is number 18 Bronson Garlick
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Touch Judge: Liam Kennedy
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Panthers have scored 30 points or more in their last five games.
- The Storm have won 14 of their last 15 Thursday night games.
- The Panthers have won their last six games at CommBank Stadium.
- The Storm have won three of their past four games against the Panthers.
- Panthers winger Brian To’o has scored eight tries in his last seven games against the Storm.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the
