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We have a repeat of the 2020 NRL Grand Final as the Melbourne Storm return to the showpiece event to face the Penrith Panthers looking to win for a fourth successive time
START DATE/TIME: Sunday 6th October, 2024 - 9:30am / AUS - 6:30pm / US EST - 04:30am / US PST - 01:30am
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: This match will not be broadcast live in the UK / This match will be broadcast live on Fox League in Australia / This match will be broadcast live on Fox Sports in the US
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: This match will be streamed live on Watch NRL in the UK / This match will be streamed live on Kayo Sports in Australia / This match will be streamed live on Watch NRL in the US
MELBOURNE STORM FORM: BELLAMY’S MEN LOOK TO BEAT PANTHERS FOR 3RD TIME THIS SEASON
Storm coach Craig Bellamy comes into this Grand Final will good confidence in his team who have beaten the Panthers on both occasions during the regular season. Both meetings were incredibly close and hard fought and this match promises to be the same. They won 8-0 at home and won 24-22 away and they were big for the team psychologically especially after the Panthers had won all three meetings in 2023.
LAST FIVE: WLWWW
PENRITH PANTHERS FORM: CLEARY’S MEN LOOK FOR FOURTH SUCCESSIVE GRAND FINAL SUCCESS
Penrith Panthers have made it to their fifth successive Grand Final and will look to win their fourth in a row here. These two teams have unquestionably been the top two sides in the NRL this year but there is a sense that the Panthers have possibly not been at the level as they have been in the last couple of seasons. Uncharacteristically, they lost both matches against Storm in the regular season and they are on the other side of that now having to overcome it psychologically to snap that streak here.
LAST FIVE: LWWWW
MELBOURNE STORM TEAM NEWS: ASOFA-SOLOMONA MISSES OUT THROUGH BAN
The main news for the Melbourne Storm coming into this final is that Nelson Asofa-Solomona has failed in his bid to have his charge overturned for a high tackle so he misses out here. Tui Kamikamica has been named as his replacement in the front row in his absence.
Squad: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. William Warbrick 3. Jack Howarth 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Christian Welch 16. Lazarus Vaalepu 17. Alec MacDonald 18. Grant Anderson 19. Joe Chan 20. Kane Bradley 21. Tepai Moeroa 22. Sualauvi Faalogo
PENRITH PANTHERS TEAM NEWS: CLEARY EXPECTED TO PLAY THROUGH SHOULDER PROBLEM
There has been some concern over star man Nathan Cleary after the halfback came off late in the game last week with a shoulder problem. That more than anything appeared to be a precautionary measure and there is no chance Cleary will not play through it here. It may well be something to watch over the course of the match however. The other key news for the Panthers is that Scott Sorensen is named in the reserves as he continues to battle back from a hamstring problem. He will have fitness test closer to matchday.
Squad: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Luke Garner 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Brad Schneider 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Liam Henry 17. Matt Eisenhuth 18. Casey McLean 19. Scott Sorensen 20. Trent Toelau 21. Daine Laurie 22. Luke Sommerton
MELBOURNE STORM VS PENRITH PANTHERS PREDICTION
Last season’s NRL Grand Final was a classic for the ages and this match has all the makings to be just as good. The Storm and the Panthers have already played out two incredibly close encounters this season and this is unquestionably the case that the best two teams have made it to the showpiece match.
It is the Storm that have just had the edge this season in their meetings and that will unquestionably given them confidence coming into this one. The Panthers have so often had a psychological edge over recent opponents in these big games but that is not the case here.
We do not see this being high-scoring and could be closer to their first meeting which the Storm won 8-0 than the 24-22 in the second match. It will however likely go all the way and be close to the end.
We marginally favour the Storm to snap the Panthers’ dominance in the NRL. They will have no fear over them and while it will no doubt come down to moments or brilliance or potentially a mistake, we think the Storm just have a small edge and can grind this out.
MELBOURNE STORM VS PENRITH PANTHERS TIP: MELBOURNE STORM TO WIN