R3 Panthers v Storm - Game Day Thread

[SteveTidball]

Game Day Information

Match	Penrith Panthers v Melbourne Storm
Venue	Bluebet Stadium, Penrith NSW
Time	Thursday 25th March 2021 8:00pm
Tickets	Available via Ticketek
Gates Open	Open at 6:45pm
Other Matches	JFC Canterbury Bulldogs v Penrith Panthers 27/3 10:30pm*
Weather	Clear 20°C (2% Chance of Rain )
Broadcast	Channel Nine (FTA) [LIVE] Fox League (Channel 502) [LIVE] NRL Live Pass [LIVE] Kayo Sports [LIVE] ABC Sydney 702AM [LIVE] 2GB Sydney 873AM [LIVE] MMM Sydney 104.9FM [LIVE]
Notice	To ensure the safety of everyone at Bluebet Stadium, all fans will be required to check in on the Service NSW app or webform before entering the venue.

_{* Rescheduled Match from Round 2. Played at Belmore Sports Ground.}

Telstra Premiership | Full Time

	Penrith Panthers	12	Tries Charlie Staines, Kurt Kapewell. Goals Stephen Crichton (2/3)
	Melbourne Storm	10	Tries Brandon Smith, Josh Addo-Carr Goals Cameron Munster (1/2)

Dally M Points

	Pts	Player	Team
	3pts	Cameron Munster	Melbourne Storm
	2pts	Matt Burton	Penrith Panthers
	1pts	Brian To’o	Penrith Panthers

^{Judge: Nathan Hindmarsh}

Postgame Media

PRESS CONFERENCE

Panthers: Round 3

MATCH REPORT

Kikau, Capewell magic helps wounded Panthers steal win from Storm

HIGHLIGHTS

Match Highlights: Panthers v Storm

FULL MATCH REPLAY

Full Match Replay: Panthers v Storm - Round 3, 2021

PANTHER PRIDE MOTM VOTING

Round 3 v Storm MOTM

[SteveTidball]

Teams

Telstra Premiership	NSW Jersey Flegg
Panthers v Storms	Bulldogs v Panthers
Thursday 25/3 8:00pm	Saturday 27/3 10:30am
Bluebet Stadium	Belmore Sports Ground
TEAM
1. Dylan Edwards	1. Sadee Sub Laban
2. Charlie Staines	2. Flynn Isaacs
3. Paul Momirovski	3. Logan Dickson
4. Stephen Crichton	4. Thomas Jenkins
5. Brian To’o	5. Ethan Clark-Wood
6. Jarome Luai	6. Niwhai Puru
7. Nathan Cleary ©	7. Hayden Bonanno
8. Moses Leota	8. Luke Bain
9. Mitch Kenny	9. Luke Sommerton
10. James Fisher-Harris	10. Liam Henry
11. Viliame Kikau	11. Sunita Lotoaniu
12. Kurt Capewell	12. Brad Fearnley
13. Isaah Yeo ©	13. Hohepa Puru
INTERCHNAGE
14. Tyrone May	14. Connor Mason
15. Spencer Leniu	15. Mavrik Geyer
16. Matt Eisenhuth	16. Hanna El-Nachar
17. Liam Martin	17. Tyreece Tonga
RESERVES
18. Scott Sorensen	18. Immanuel Tagaloamatua
19. Matt Burton
20. J’Maine Hopgood
21. Jaeman Salmon
COACH
HC Ivan Cleary	HC Ben Harden
AC Andrew Webster
AC Cameron Ciraldo

Match Officials

	Telstra Premiership	NSW Jersey Flegg
Referee	Grant Atkins	TBA
Sideline Official	Phil Henderson	TBA
	Matt Noyen	TBA
Video Referee	Ashley Klein	-

Referee Success Rate

Referee	Active Since	2021	Overall	Pen. For	Pen. Against	Ratio
Grant Atkins	2011	(0/0) 100.00%	(12/17) 70.59%	67	71.5	0.94

[SteveTidball]

JUST IN - All @NSWSES volunteers will receive free entry to #NRLPanthersStorm 🙏🏽❤️

📝 https://t.co/k5Y7bTjNeR#pantherpride pic.twitter.com/eV5LbdNyC8

— Penrith Panthers (@PenrithPanthers) March 23, 2021

[SteveTidball]

Nathan Cleary will not be able to clear the Concussion Protocols before Thursdays match against the Storm and has been ruled out. He will be replaced with Matt Burton.

Round 3 Late Mail: Cleary ruled out of GF rematch

[Bryan]

Completely the right decision. Glad he’s being rested this week & hope to see him back in Round 4 against Manly.

[Mutley]

I’m hearing the Papenhuyzen will be out for Storm tomorrow. Will even things up with Cleary out.

[Kevin]

I am glad to hear this. I personally didn’t want him to play them anyway, perfect opportunity for our 2nd string guys to be put under immense pressure early in the season. This is a win win all round.

[steamboatfarmer]

its a shame for both clubs but i believe they lose more then us as we still have a player in Luai who can execute at this level
A lot to ask from Burton and suspect he will start on the bench

[SouthernHillFan]

I have to respectfully disagree SBF. Who would we have as lead playmaker with Burton on the bench? May or Luai?

Both are adept at support play and disrupted defense attack, but I haven’t seen enough games management from them in firsts.

That said, I know in juniors Luai played half and Cleary was 5/8, so maybe he has more skills than I am giving him credit for.

Although he’s only started a few first grade games, Burto seems fine with game management, even if he may have nightmares of kicking field goals lol.

Anyway they are all reasonable options, miles ahead of the year we played Lewis in the 7

[SteveTidball]

Papenhuyzen has been ruled out for the Storm.

[steamboatfarmer]

i think the clue for us in last weeks game when Cleary left the field…May to 7 and Luai took control
My view is IC sees this as a game to measure where we are at and will not want to risk Burton to start.

I like Burton and think the kid has something but not as a starting 7

Also pleased to see the weather clear for the fans who will rock up tonight, both squads will be up for this game.

[Puss]

Burton does have a kicking game however, that might come in handy.

[Kevin]

If I’m picking a 7 / game manager and it is between May and Burton…BURTON please

[Puss]

I agree Kev, but what price Nathan’s flat mate getting the gig ?

[Bryan]

I think Burton will start, Puss - although, I remember May & Luai carving up the Warriors a couple of years back, when Maloney & Cleary were on SOO duty.

But we didn’t have Burton a couple of years ago.

[SteveTidball]

I think you will see all three (Luai, May, Burton) working in the halves throughout the game. It’s good we have that option, all three have excellent kicking games.

The game plan will be simple, keep the Storm playing out of their end, and apply pressure. I think if we play the long game tonight we will come out with the points.

[Puss]

Game tonight is a test.

We need to focus on the NOW, not 2020 GF revenge. That’s
just the press building up the game.

We have a squad that is full of talent and ability.
We need to demonstrate our team spirit.
We can make a statement here with primary playmakers
Cleary & Korisau sidelined.

Go Panthers !

[steamboatfarmer]

i agree fully, all the noise about rematches etc is just that noise

we need to see tonight what we have as a team this year and how we are placed.

Storm were flat at best last week and rarely ever lose in in a row so Bellamy will have them focussed on todays performance not last years glory or any grudge match

I think Storm will definitely miss their FB and Munster is key, we have to shut him down.

Panthers by 13 plus

[Puss]

Would like to see Luai take the line on.

His cross field distribution transition is crowding our 3/4’s.

Straighten up boy.

Kevin, we need another prop !

[Puss]

Not getting the rub of the green tonight.
Referee looks a little lost at times.