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Team Announcement: Round 1 v Panthers

Craig Bellamy has named his first starting line-up of the 2024 NRL season as the club gears up to take on reigning Premiers, Penrith Panthers, on Friday night.

With several players getting a solid hit-out across the two pre-season challenge games, Bellamy has named a squad boasting plenty of NRL experience as well as some fresher faces.

Round 1 of the 2024 season will see fan-favourite, Ryan Papenhuyzen, return to the starting fullback position, with Nick Meaney maintaining the centre position he held in both trials. 

After battling a minor groin complaint, star five-eighth Cameron Munster has been named for the blockbuster clash.

Josh King starts in the front row alongside Tui Kamikamica, with Trent Loiero starting at lock for what will be his 50th NRL and Storm game.

After earning his NRL debut in Round 27 last season, Joe Chan gets the nod for the starting second row spot.

A bench boasting plenty of versatility, Tyran Wishart will wear the No.14 jersey while Sunshine Coast Falcons Forward of the Year Chris Lewis earns a spot on the pine alongside Alec MacDonald and Christian Welch.

Nelson Asofa-Solomona has been managing a hamstring injury but has returned to full training, with the potential of returning via the Sunshine Coast Falcons in the HostPlus Cup.

New recruit Shawn Blore has been named as 18th man.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Storm is number 1 Ryan Papenhuyzen
    Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan Edwards
  • Winger for Storm is number 2 Will Warbrick
    Winger for Panthers is number 2 Sunia Turuva
  • Centre for Storm is number 3 Reimis Smith
    Centre for Panthers is number 3 Izack Tago
  • Centre for Storm is number 4 Nick Meaney
    Centre for Panthers is number 4 Taylan May
  • Winger for Storm is number 5 Xavier Coates
    Winger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'o
  • Five-Eighth for Storm is number 20 Jonah Pezet
    Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Jarome Luai
  • Halfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome Hughes
    Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Nathan Cleary

Forwards

  • Prop for Storm is number 8 Tui Kamikamica
    Prop for Panthers is number 8 Moses Leota
  • Hooker for Storm is number 9 Harry Grant
    Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Luke Sommerton
  • Prop for Storm is number 10 Josh King
    Prop for Panthers is number 10 James Fisher-Harris
  • 2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Joe Chan
    2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Luke Garner
  • 2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Eliesa Katoa
    2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Liam Martin
  • Lock for Storm is number 13 Trent Loiero
    Lock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah Yeo

Interchange

  • Interchange for Storm is number 14 Tyran Wishart
    Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Lindsay Smith
  • Interchange for Storm is number 15 Christian Welch
    Interchange for Panthers is number 16 Liam Henry
  • Interchange for Storm is number 16 Chris Lewis
    Interchange for Panthers is number 17 Matthew Eisenhuth
  • Interchange for Storm is number 17 Alec MacDonald
    Interchange for Panthers is number 19 Soni Luke

Reserves

  • Replacement for Storm is number 19 Kane Bradley
    Replacement for Panthers is number 18 Daine Laurie

Match Officials

  • Referee: Gerard Sutton
  • Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
  • Touch Judge: Dave Munro
  • Senior Review Official: Adam Gee

Last updated:

Acknowledgement of Country

Melbourne Storm respect and honour the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.