NRL Grand Final

[Graham]

Panthers team: 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
Upside:

No changes to the side that defeated the Sharks in the preliminary final. Star halfback Nathan Cleary aggravated an existing shoulder injury last week and left the field in the final six minutes but as expected he has been named to play after assuring the media he will be right to go.

Storm team: 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

Downside:

Nelson Asofa-Solomona is out after his failed bid to have a high tackle charge downgraded. 

Edited Tuesday at 13:03 by Graham

[Graham]

Ashley Klein has been appointed as the NRL's grand final referee as head office heeded Penrith coach Ivan Cleary's call and overlooked Chris Butler for officiating duties.

Klein will take charge of Sunday's decider between the Panthers and Melbourne in what represents his third NRL grand final appointment.

But Butler was snubbed in the aftermath of Penrith's preliminary final win over Cronulla.

Butler was the video referee who incorrectly took a try off the Panthers for an obstruction call and earned the ire of Cleary.
So apparently another win for Panthers.

[THE RED ROOSTER]

I think this should become the official Grand Final thread rather than anything I start Graham

I am not of the view that the loss of Nelson Asofa-Solomona is that big a blow to Melbourne. He is both a penalty machine and it is difficult to win a tight game when you are not playing with XIII over the 80 minutes.

Melbourne do two things that are key to defeating a physically bigger side in the Panthers, Firstly Rugby basics, when faced with two defenders you do not run into them instead you run into the space between them. Secondly, you play what is in front of you. The Roosters were coming back into the game when Melbourne scored a length of the field try from a 20 metre tap in their own half by simply spotting the space afforded them by a lumbering Roosters defence and using it. That's good coaching in action.

It is very difficult to repeat, time and time again, whatever people say, you kind of lose that mental edge and this is a Penny Panthers side that has been showing signs throughout the season of not going into decline as such, but more returning to the pack. The depth is not there and this will be even more obvious next year. Simply put the Panthers have lost games this season they would not have in the past and laboured to win others where in previous years they would have won more confortably.

Yes, Penrith have arguably the world No 1 in (a fit) Nathan Cleary, but Melbourne have the triumverate of Harry Grant, Cameron Munster and deserved Dally M winner, Jahrome Hughes and that may be crucial.

And anyway who wants to see another Jerome Luai, Mad Monday exhibition post final...

So there's a storm brewing for the mountain men.

 

[Spotty Herbert]

Very valid points as ever, but wasn't Nelson's size really important to the Storm? I would worry that Leota, Yeo and JFH will steamroller the Storm through the middle and give Cleary so much time to organise his outside backs. Having said that, neither Munster nor Cleary are fully fit and Hughes and Katoa could monster the Panthers left side defence.

 

It should be a classic and I can't see there being more than 6 points in it.

[StandOffHalf]

Sky have the stationary camera shot that resembles a half-time screen for the pre-game show out on the field.

They've cut away now and have ads for the upcoming Finals.

How poor...

[StandOffHalf]

Ah, there we are.

Too many women on 9's coverage for a Men's GF, in my view.

[Farmduck]

8 minutes ago, StandOffHalf said:

Ah, there we are.

Too many women on 9's coverage for a Men's GF, in my view.

Good thing you mentioned Channel 9. I'd forgotten 9 has the live monopoly on this game.

[roughyed8]

Semi highlights now, what the hell is going on?

[StandOffHalf]

Now Sky have gone to a highlights package of Storm vs Roosters from last week.

Really poor from Sky to butcher the build-up.

[Farmduck]

I think the Storm will win this. Storm by 6

[Futtocks]

Morning all! Hoping this lives up to expectations.

[Farmduck]

I wonder why the Kiwis and Fijian sing the national anthem. I know most of these players are OZ citizens with foreign heritage but Kamikamica isn't. Nor Katoa or Fisher-Harris.

[Irish Saint]

Morning all 30 seconds late and Panthers kicked off.

[Irish Saint]

First 6 again to Pemrith

[Irish Saint]

High hick from Munster ,Meaney collects but swallowed up immediately.

[Sports Prophet]

Storm opening up everywhere. This six again will help though

[Irish Saint]

6 moreto the storm charging through the middke

[Irish Saint]

Penrith  turn it over then Melbourne turn it over

[dkw]

Penrith must think Storm are weak on the underneath ball, it's been about 80% of Penrith carries.

[dkw]

Storm looked tired back end of that set, not many wanting to carry.

[StandOffHalf]

The Channel 9 team are pretty poor, compared to Sterlo, Fatty, Rabbits and Gould. Mat Thompson just keeps saying the same regurgitated phrases such as ''this is incredible''.

Slater is good, but I find the commentary very unappealing and repetitive.

Edited 23 hours ago by StandOffHalf

[StandOffHalf]

Calling him Papi is just so asinine.

[Irish Saint]

MacDonald first interchange spills the ball on his  first run. 

From his error Tago forces drop out.

Pappy goes short ? Penrith start from Storm 10

[Irish Saint]

Great defence from Storm.

[Irish Saint]

To me that was a Penrith  strip 3 in  the tackle.