Panthers v Storm: Lussick in for Kenny; Meaney returns
These two great rivals find themselves poles apart on form heading into a Good Friday blockbuster at CommBank Stadium.
Nathan Cleary has the Panthers humming as they remain unbeaten after four rounds with a staggering points differential of +110 while the Storm have been stunned by the Broncos and Cowboys in the past fortnight.
The Panthers are conceding just 7.5 points per game and look every inch the champion outfit that stormed to four consecutive premierships before bowing out a week before the big one in 2025.
The last time the Storm lost three in a row was midway through 2022 so you can expect their big guns Cameron Munster, Jahrome Hughes and Harry Grant to come out firing as they look to right the defensive wrongs of the past fortnight.
Match: Panthers v Storm
Round 5 -
home Team
Panthers
1st Position
away Team
Storm
7th Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Team News
Panthers: Freddy Lussick will start at hooker in place of Mitch Kenny who is serving a one-game ban. Jack Cogger returns from concussion on the interchange and star centre Izack Tago has been listed on the six-man bench as he looks to force his way back into the NRL side after three games in NSW Cup. Tom Ale and Jack Cole dropped out in Thursday's 24-hour update.
Storm: Jack Howarth has been ruled out on Thursday after failing to recover from a hip injury. His place is taken by Manaia Waitere. In positive news, Nick Meaney is back on deck from a back injury and will line up at centre in place of Moses Leo. Lazarus Vaalepu has also returned to the 19 after Tui Kamikamica suffered a medical episode on Monday.
Match: Panthers v Storm
Round 5 -
home Team
Panthers
away Team
Storm
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan EdwardsFullback for Storm is number 1 Sualauvi Faalogo
-
Winger for Panthers is number 2 Thomas JenkinsWinger for Storm is number 2 Will Warbrick
-
Centre for Panthers is number 3 Paul AlamotiCentre for Storm is number 4 Nick Meaney
-
Centre for Panthers is number 4 Casey McLeanCentre for Storm is number 19 Manaia Waitere
-
Winger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'oWinger for Storm is number 5 Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown
-
Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Blaize TalagiFive-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron Munster
-
Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Nathan ClearyHalfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome Hughes
Forwards
-
Prop for Panthers is number 8 Moses LeotaProp for Storm is number 8 Stefano Utoikamanu
-
Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Freddy LussickHooker 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 Isaiah Papali'i2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Joe Chan
-
2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Liam Martin2nd Row for Storm is number 17 Cooper Clarke
-
Lock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah YeoLock for Storm is number 13 Trent Loiero
Interchange
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 14 Jack CoggerInterchange for Storm is number 12 Alec MacDonald
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Billy PhillipsInterchange for Storm is number 14 Tyran Wishart
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 16 Scott SorensenInterchange for Storm is number 15 Davvy Moale
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 17 Luke GarnerInterchange for Storm is number 16 Jack Hetherington
Reserves
-
Reserve for Panthers is number 18 Izack TagoReserve for Storm is number 18 Lazarus Vaalepu
-
Reserve for Panthers is number 21 Billy ScottReserve for Storm is number 22 Preston Conn
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Panthers have won seven of their last eight games at CommBank Stadium.
- The Storm have won four of their last five games against the Panthers.
- Panthers winger Brian To’o has scored eight tries in his last eight games against the Storm.
- Storm hooker Harry Grant has scored four tries in his last five games at CommBank Stadium.
- Panthers second-rower Liam Martin will play his 150th NRL game.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
