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Panthers v Storm: Grand final heroes back; Katoa good to go

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pan66.com
Timestamp

The Panthers host the Storm in a highly anticipated Round 24 showdown that could well be a preview of the NRL grand final on October 6.

The defending champs are coming off a miracle win over the Eels in which they scored three tries in three minutes to overhaul a 14-point deficit and stay within two points of the Storm, who had beaten Souths the previous night.

The winner of Thursday night's clash will be in the box seat to claim the minor premiership - the Panthers having had that honour in 2020, 2022 and 2023, while the Storm finished the regular season on top in 2019 and 2021.

The Panthers will be sweating on the fitness of back-rower Scott Sorensen, who suffered a hamstring injury against the Eels, while star fullback Dylan Edwards is a chance to return from a knee injury.

They will be without star back-rower Liam Martin who has copped a one-match ban for Dangerous Contact.

Storm back-rower Eli Katoa missed the Souths game with a knee injury and will be monitored ahead of the monster clash.

When the two sides clashed in Round 1 it was the Storm producing a defensive masterclass to shut out the Panthers 8-0, keeping their incredible opening round streak intact.

Sportsbet Betting Preview - Panthers v Storm

Team News

Panthers: Star fullback Dylan Edwards (knee) and prop James Fisher-Harris (groin) have been added to the starting side an hour before kick-off in a huge boost for the premiers. Daine Laurie shifts to the wing and Sunia Turuva is 18th man. Lindsay Smith shifts to the second row and Liam Henry goes to the bench. Mavrik Geyer starts with Scott Sorensen out injured and Liam Martin suspended. 

Storm: The Storm are 1-17 with no late changes. Back-rower Eli Katoa is named to return from a knee injury after missing last week's win over Souths. The comeback has triggered a forward pack reshuffle, with Nelson Asofa-Solomona shifting to prop and Tui Kamikamica moving to the bench. Sua Fa'alogo is 18th man.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Panthers is number 20 Dylan Edwards
    Fullback for Storm is number 1 Ryan Papenhuyzen 
  • Winger for Panthers is number 1 Daine Laurie
    Winger for Storm is number 2 Will Warbrick
  • Centre for Panthers is number 3 Izack Tago
    Centre for Storm is number 3 Jack Howarth
  • Centre for Panthers is number 4 Casey McLean
    Centre for Storm is number 4 Nick Meaney
  • Winger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'o
    Winger for Storm is number 5 Grant Anderson
  • Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Jarome Luai
    Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron Munster
  • Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Nathan Cleary
    Halfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome Hughes

Forwards

  • Prop for Panthers is number 8 Moses Leota
    Prop for Storm is number 8 Nelson Asofa-Solomona 
  • Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Mitch Kenny
    Hooker for Storm is number 9 Harry Grant
  • Prop for Panthers is number 19 James Fisher-Harris
    Prop for Storm is number 10 Josh King
  • 2nd Row for Panthers is number 10 Lindsay Smith
    2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Shawn Blore
  • 2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Mavrik Geyer
    2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Eliesa Katoa
  • Lock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah Yeo
    Lock for Storm is number 13 Trent Loiero

Interchange

  • Interchange for Panthers is number 12 Liam Henry
    Interchange for Storm is number 14 Tyran Wishart
  • Interchange for Panthers is number 14 Trent Toelau
    Interchange for Storm is number 15 Lazarus Vaalepu
  • Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Matthew Eisenhuth
    Interchange for Storm is number 16 Tui  Kamikamica
  • Interchange for Panthers is number 17 Jack Cole
    Interchange for Storm is number 17 Alec MacDonald

Reserves

  • Replacement for Panthers is number 2 Sunia Turuva
    Replacement for Storm is number 19 Sualauvi Faalogo

Match Officials

  • Referee: Ashley Klein
  • Touch Judge: Dave Munro
  • Touch Judge: Liam Kennedy
  • Senior Review Official: Gerard Sutton

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • The Panthers have won five of their past seven games against the Storm.
  • The Storm have won seven of their past eight away games.
  • Panthers winger Brian To’o has scored six tries in his past four games against the Storm.
  • Storm prop Josh King will make his 150th NRL appearance.
  • Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary has scored 64 points in his past four games.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, 

Related

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