Panthers and Storm Gear Up for a Fierce Finals Showdown
The atmosphere in the NRL right now feels like a pressure cooker, and at the centre of it all are the Penrith Panthers and the Melbourne Storm. Nathan Cleary, usually calm and calculated, has shown the first signs of frustration in his decade-long career. It happened after Melbourne’s thrilling golden point victory, where a penalty wiped away what could have been his match-winning field goal. His dad – and coach – Ivan Cleary, was right there to keep him honest, but even with measured tones and detailed explanations of the rules, Nathan couldn’t hide his irritation.
This wasn’t just a regular-season bump in the road. The Panthers have been building what feels like a siege mentality, collecting every slight, every critical headline, and tucking it away for motivation. Even early in the season, when they were languishing at the bottom of the ladder, the team quietly noted each perceived unfair jab from the media. And when trainer Corey Bocking was slapped with a five-match ban and the club fined $50,000 for stepping in front of a conversion attempt, the sense of being targeted only grew. Ivan Cleary called it “ostracised,” while Luke Garner labelled it “tall poppy syndrome.”
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The rivalry with Melbourne is now simmering on multiple fronts. The Panthers want high-ball aerial dominance – like Xavier Coates’ – reined in. The Storm, naturally, want to keep it as is. Harry Grant, who cleverly drew the decisive penalty against Penrith, even hinted that the Panthers have their own tactics worth scrutinising. In short, both sides are keeping receipts.
What’s fascinating is how much this mirrors the Panthers’ past title runs. In 2021, they famously kept severe injuries under wraps until after the grand final, with several stars playing through damage that would sideline most players. This year, Isaah Yeo’s shoulder injury is the big unknown. The club isn’t saying much, but teammates like Brian To’o admit the thought of Yeo in pain is enough to make them emotional.
Thursday night’s match showed just how closely matched these teams are. Penrith’s line speed choked Melbourne’s attack early, but the Storm hung tough despite missing key players like Jahrome Hughes and Ryan Papenhuyzen. The game’s second half included an incredible 13-minute stretch without a stoppage – a rare and exhausting feat in modern rugby league. Melbourne capitalised on a risky pass from Blaize Talagi, with Coates intercepting and swinging momentum.
History tells us that these mid-season clashes can set the tone for finals. Last year, Melbourne beat Penrith late in the season, targeting To’o under the high ball. By grand final day, Penrith had fixed that weakness and came out on top. Now, as both clubs sharpen their edges, it feels inevitable that another heavyweight battle is looming – and neither side plans on blinking first.
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