After going down in a thriller to Parramatta, Penrith's premiership credentials will be further examined when they face a Storm side shooting for three wins in a row.
The Panthers will have learned lessons after squandering a 10-0 lead against the undefeated Eels, while Melbourne look dangerous having adjusted to the new six-again rule.
The Storm have been a bogey team for Penrith, beating them in 18 of their past 20 meetings dating back to 2006. The Panthers last trumped Melbourne in 2018.
Match: Panthers v Storm
Round 6 -
home Team
Panthers
3rd Position
away Team
Storm
6th Position
Venue: Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Sydney
The Rundown
Team News
Panthers: The Panthers will start the match 1-17 after Jack Hetherington and Caleb Aekins were the last two omitted. Dylan Edwards returns from injury at fullback. Liam Martin replaces the injured Kurt Capewell in the back row and Billy Burns joins the interchange. Mitch Kenny and Brent Naden were the players to make way from the initial 21-man squad on Thursday. The Panthers have won only two of their past 20 games against the Storm.
Storm: Marion Seve will start in the wing spot vacated by Josh Addo-Carr - who is expecting the birth of his child and is out of the side. Paul Momirovski, who was initially named to replace Addo-Carr, is out of the team. He and Max King were the last two players dropped from the squad. For the third straight week, Brandon Smith will start at prop, with Christian Welch dropping back to the bench. Jahrome Hughes (broken hand) was cut from the extended squad a day before kick-off. The Storm have won four from four at Campbelltown Stadium.
Match: Panthers v Storm
Round 6 -
home Team
Panthers
away Team
Storm
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan EdwardsFullback for Storm is number 1 Ryan Papenhuyzen
-
Winger for Panthers is number 2 Josh MansourWinger for Storm is number 2 Suliasi Vunivalu
-
Centre for Panthers is number 3 Dean WhareCentre for Storm is number 3 Justin Olam
-
Centre for Panthers is number 4 Stephen CrichtonCentre for Storm is number 4 Brenko Lee
-
Winger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'oWinger for Storm is number 19 Marion Seve
-
Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Jarome LuaiFive-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron Munster
-
Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Nathan ClearyHalfback for Storm is number 7 Ryley Jacks
Forwards
-
Prop for Panthers is number 8 James TamouProp for Storm is number 8 Jesse Bromwich
-
Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Apisai KoroisauHooker for Storm is number 9 Cameron Smith
-
Prop for Panthers is number 10 James Fisher-HarrisProp for Storm is number 14 Brandon Smith
-
2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Viliame Kikau2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Felise Kaufusi
-
2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Liam Martin2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Kenneath Bromwich
-
Lock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah YeoLock for Storm is number 13 Dale Finucane
Interchange
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 14 Matt BurtonInterchange for Storm is number 10 Christian Welch
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Zane TetevanoInterchange for Storm is number 15 Tino Fa'asuamaleaui
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 16 Moses LeotaInterchange for Storm is number 16 Tom Eisenhuth
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 17 Billy BurnsInterchange for Storm is number 17 Nelson Asofa-Solomona
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Touch Judge: Chris Butler
- Touch Judge: Peter Gough
- Senior Review Official: Jared Maxwell
Last updated:
Key Match-Up
He turns 37 on Thursday, but Cameron Smith is still very much elite. The Storm hooker was outstanding against Newcastle, proving he can use his unparalleled game smarts to thrive under the six-again rule. Meanwhile, Api Koroisau is a focal point of Penrith's attack and always dangerous from dummy-half.
