Melbourne Storm v Penrith Panthers
Monday 25 August, 7pm
Sportingbet Stadium
NYC kick-off: 4:45
Broadcast
TV: Fox Sports 1 (Live)
Online: NRL Digital Pass
Radio: Triple M, ABC Grandstand
Melbourne Storm will travel to Sportingbet Stadium on Monday night to take on the third-placed Penrith Panthers.
Melbourne, who currently sits fifth on the ladder, will be hoping to upset the Panthers three-game winning streak and force their way into top four calculations.
It’s exciting times for Penrith coach Ivan Cleary and his club, as they stare down a return to finals football, the first time since 2010. A win in front of the home fans is imperative as they aim to continue their winning ways and take on a heavily motivated Storm line-up.
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Storm returned to the winner’s list last weekend against Cronulla, recording a 42-point win that included seven different try-scorers on the night. For Penrith, they maintained their good form against the Cowboys in a very tight contest that saw a Matt Moylan field goal seal the 1-point victory.
The two clubs last faced off in Round 2 earlier in the year and it was Storm who recorded a late win of their own. Cooper Cronk’s late field goal proved the difference. Statistically, Melbourne have won 20 out of 27 games against the Panthers.
Craig Bellamy has named an unchanged line-up from the squad that took on the Sharks last weekend as has Penrith coach Ivan Cleary, with hooker James Segeyaro overcoming an ankle injury.
Match Officials:
Referee – Ben Cummins & Gavin Morris
Sideline Officials – Brett Suttor & Adam Reid
Video Referees – Steve Chiddy & Steve Folkes
Head-to-head:
Played: 27
Storm: 20
Panthers: 7
Last time they met:
Round 2, 2014 – Melbourne Storm 18 (Mahe Fonua, Kevin Proctor, Sisa Waqa; Goals: Cameron Smith 2; Field Goals: Cooper Cronk 2) defeated Penrith Panthers 17 (Kevin Naiqama 2, Josh Mansour; Goals: Peter Wallace 2; Field Goals: Peter Wallace)
Last 5 Matches:
Round 2, 2014 – Melbourne Storm 18 (Mahe Fonua, Kevin Proctor, Sisa Waqa; Goals: Cameron Smith 2; Field Goals: Cooper Cronk 2) defeated Penrith Panthers 17 (Kevin Naiqama 2, Josh Mansour; Goals: Peter Wallace 2; Field Goals: Peter Wallace)
Round 9, 2013 – Penrith Panthers 12 (David Simmons 2, Travis Robinson) defeated Melbourne Storm (Jesse Bromwich, Sisa Waqa; Goals: Cameron Smith)
Round 22, 2012 – Melbourne Storm 46 (Cooper Cronk 2, Justin O’Neill 2, Sisa Waqa 2, Jesse Bromwich, Sika Manu; Goals: Cameron Smith 7) defeated Penrith Panthers 6 (Matt Robinson; Goals: Luke Walsh)
Round 9, 2012 – Melbourne Storm 44 (Justin O’Neill 3, Will Chambers, Cooper Cronk, Matt Duffie, Ryan Hinchcliffe, Ryan Hoffman; Goals: Cameron Smith 5, Gareth Widdop) defeated Penrith Panthers 10 (Josh Mansour, Etuate Uaisele; Goals: Blake Austin)
Round 22, 2011 – Melbourne Storm 26 (Ryan Hinchcliffe, Sika Manu, Kevin Proctor, Billy Slater; Goals: Cameron Smith 5) defeated Penrith Panthers 6 (Adrian Purtell; Goals: Luke Walsh)
The views expressed in this article are solely of the author and do not reflect the views of Melbourne Storm Rugby League Club.
