Friday’s NRL 2018 Round 25 match is between Melbourne Storm and Penrith Panthers. The opening kick is set to commence at 19:55 local time with the game to be played at AAMI Park, Melbourne. The home team Melbourne Storm are the favourites for the match.
View our preview and teams for the game between Melbourne Storm and Penrith Panthers.
When: 19:55 | Friday 31/08/2018
Where: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Preview:
Big inclusion for the Panthers getting James Maloney back but since the sacking of the coach, they have been nothing short of rudderless.
Still, with plenty to play for and plenty of quality across the park, they have the ability to get it done but these games take more than just ability.
They take discipline and commitment for 80 minutes and the team they are playing epitomises this.
With one hand on the minor premiership trophy, Melbourne will be a different team to what we saw last week to come from behind against the Titans.
KEY BATTLE: Cameron Munster v James Maloney
I expect the Panthers to have a real crack but fall short.
Watch for Munster and Maloney to really dull it out.
Two Origin players with their side’s expectations on their shoulders.
The Verdict
At home for their last club match will also be a big occasion for Billy Slater and others that won’t be there next year.
Melbourne leads Penrith 12-1 since 2010 and are 15-4 (78.9 percent) playing within their home state after a win since 2017.
Unibet Odds:
Melbourne Storm at $1.49
Penrith Panthers at $2.65
Odds:
Tip: Melbourne Storm at $1.68
Value Tip: First Try Scorer: Justin Olam at $11.00
More Info:
Teams:
Melbourne Storm:
Storm: 19. Jahrome Hughes 2. Justin Olam 3. Cheyse Blair 4. Curtis Scott 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Cameron Munster 7. Brodie Croft 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Cameron Smith 10. Tim Glasby 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Joe Stimson 13. Dale Finucane
Interchange: 14. Kenneath Bromwich 15. Christian Welch 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Sam Kasiano
Reserves: 18. Ryan Hoffman 21. Ryley Jacks
Players cut: 1. Billy Slater, 20. Albert Vete
Penrith Panthers: 
Panthers: 1. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 2. Josh Mansour 3. Waqa Blake 4. Tyrone Peachey 5. Christian Crichton 6. James Maloney 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Trent Merrin 9. Wayde Egan 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Isaah Yeo 13. James Fisher-Harris
Interchange: 14. Tyrone May 15. Moses Leota 17. James Tamou 18. Sione Katoa
Reserves: 19. Jack Hetherington 20. Kaide Ellis
Players cut: 16. Corey Harawira-Naera 21. Tyrone Phillips
NRL News:
Melbourne have ground out a 10-8 win on the Gold Coast to edge ahead in the race for the NRL minor premiership.
The Storm rallied from 8-0 down at half-time, overcoming a flat first half to guarantee a top-four finish ahead of the final regular-season round.
Billy Slater ran for a career-best 289 metres in his final game in Queensland, while opposite number AJ Brimson (196 metres and three try-saving tackles) impressed for the hosts and Cameron Smith overcame a back concern to notch 44 tackles for the Storm.
Melbourne were sloppy in the first 40 minutes but slowly squeezed the Titans after the break.
Pressure built with Curtis Scott’s 45th-minute try and they hit the lead with 20 minutes to play, Cameron Munster probing nearly 30 metres across field before ducking under a Kane Elgey tackle for the go-ahead try.
Gold Coast were then denied a penalty for a high tackle on Ashley Taylor that forced him from the field with nine minutes to play as the hosts were unable to create a chance at the death.
The Titans dominated the first half but only led 8-0, with Brimson’s spinning try and a penalty goal their only reward.
It could have easily been more if not for a staggering defensive effort from Storm winger Josh Addo-Carr.
Brimson had broken down the left wing and kicked inside for Phillip Sami who was charging towards the line.
But the Melbourne winger came from the opposite side of the field to hold him up over the line in what proved to be a match-winning play.
Earlier Slater had swallowed a kick return and broken the line to put a maiden NRL try on a platter for Justin Olam, only for the winger to spill it.
Melbourne were lucky to finish the half with a full contingent, with Olam off the line early in a clear off-side that stalled the frustrated Titans’ final set before the break.
