NSW Cup Report: Round 25

Melbourne Storm’s NSW Cup side has gone down 40-20 to the Penrith Panthers in Round 25 at Seabrook Reserve, Broadmeadows. 

The Storm made a rapid start to their final home game of the season, scoring twice inside the opening nine minutes. 

Manaia Waitere opened the scoring in the fourth minute before Alize Clarke dived over in the corner five minutes later to give Melbourne an early 8-0 lead. 

In response to the Panthers registering their first points of the afternoon, Waitere then grabbed his second try of the contest in the 23rd minute.  

Three further tries from the ladder-leading Panthers saw Storm head into the halftime break trailing 22-16.  

Storm came out firing in the best possible fashion in the second stanza, Alize Clarke brushing past three would-be defenders to score his second try in the 41st minute. 

Toelau then added the conversion, bringing Melbourne within striking distance as the hosts looked to mount a second-half comeback. 

Despite the Clarke try, the Panthers showed their polish in the second half and were able to regain control of the contest and pull away in the closing stages to run out victors.  

Despite the result, Melbourne showed plenty of attacking intent throughout the contest, with Waitere and Clarke both finishing with doubles in Storm’s final home game of the season. 

Melbourne Storm’s NSW Cup side will now turn their attention to their final game of the 2026 season against the Bears on Saturday August 29 at North Sydney Oval, where they will search for one more win to cap off the season.