We are down to the final two, as the Panthers and the Storm fight it out to decide the 2024 premiers.
Melbourne will be looking to add a fifth trophy to their cabinet, while the Panthers are chasing four in a row – here is how each team is shaping up.
Grand Final: Melbourne vs Penrith at Accor Stadium: 7.30pm AEDT, Sunday October 6
Storm: Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Will 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. Sua Faalogo
While disappointed to lose man mountain Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Melbourne are vowing their “next man up” mentality will ensure the prop’s role is ably covered in Sunday’s grand final against Penrith.
Asofa-Solomona failed in his bid to have a grade three careless high tackle charge downgraded at the NRL judiciary, meaning he will be on the sidelines for the Accor Stadium premiership decider.
Melbourne’s Tui Kamikamica is into the starting front row, with Lazarua Vaalepu joining Christian Welch on the bench.
Craig Bellamy said Joe Chan could be elevated from the reserves ahead of Vaalepu. “We still haven’t made that decision properly yet,” he said on Thursday.
Panthers: 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
The Panthers are sweating on the fitness of enforcer Scott Sorensen, who is racing the clock to return from a hamstring injury.
The forward is confident he can force his way back into Penrith’s grand-final team even if it means ousting his carpool buddy for the spot.
Sorensen has been sidelined for four weeks and has missed all of the Panthers’ run to Sunday’s grand final against Melbourne.
The 31-year-old trained separately from the rest of the Panthers squad on Tuesday and the Kiwi international and Nathan Cleary have been on limited duties as the star half nurses his shoulder injury.
“We’ll give him every chance but we’re not going to take a risk there either,” Ivan Cleary said when asked about Sorensen on Thursday.
How they’ll line up
Melbourne Storm
1. Fullback: Ryan Papenhuyzen
Age: 26 Games: 91 Tries: 62 Finals: 11
Papenhuyzen has put two years of horror injuries behind him to become one of the Storm’s key men. Uses his electric pace to slice through a defensive line, while the team relies on him for his cool head in the heat of a high-stakes battle.
2. Wing: Will Warbrick
Age: 26 Games: 48 Tries: 32 Finals: 5
Warbrick has continued to improve since making his code switch from rugby sevens in 2023. Having also dabbled in AFL, the Kiwi is strong under the high ball but needs to keep his error count down.
3. Centre: Jack Howarth
Age: 22 Games: 16 Tries: 4 Finals: 2
A schoolboy star, Howarth has taken time to find his groove at the Storm but has become a weapon. Weighing in at 105kg, Howarth loves to keep busy and has the size and pace to cause headaches for the defence.
4. Centre: Nick Meaney
Age: 27 Games: 136 Tries: 52 Finals: 6
The Storm’s goal-kicker, Meaney is Mr Consistent in both attack and defence. Has formed a solid left edge with Warbrick since switching to the centres this season and won’t let anyone down.
5. Wing: Xavier Coates
Age: 23 Games: 85 Tries: 59 Finals: 4
As the name suggests, Coates brings some X-factor to the Storm’s back-line. With an athletic presence, Coates has an unrivalled ability to get the ball over the line, while his defence is a notable improvement this season.
6. Five-eighth: Cameron Munster
Age: 30 Games: 211 Tries: 59 Finals: 25
Has struggled with a groin issue that almost ended his year, but Munster looks fighting fit for the grand final. With a history of being goaded into silly penalties under pressure, his battle with Panthers pest Liam Martin will be a highlight.
7. Halfback: Jahrome Hughes
Age: 29 Games: 149 Tries: 62 Finals: 13
This clash pits the season’s best halfback in Hughes against the game’s top No.7 in Nathan Cleary. When Munster was sidelined through injury the Kiwi ace took control of the Storm attack, and he’s also bagged 12 tries for himself.
8. Prop: Tui Kamikamica
Age: 30 Games: 113 Tries: 10 Finals: 11
Brought into the starting side to replace banned prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona, the muscle-bound Fijian is a no-frills contributor. May need to fire up in the absence of his big teammate to get the Storm on the front foot.
9. Hooker: Harry Grant
Age: 26 Games: 100 Tries: 35 Finals: 8
The Storm skipper has been credited with tightening the bonds of the team with his off-field activities and on-field Grant is also a linch-pin. A runaway competition leader for dummy half runs, the hooker is always probing the defence.
10. Prop: Josh King
Age: 28 Games: 154 Tries: 9 Finals: 7
King has blossomed since his arrival at Melbourne from the Knights. A tireless worker, he’s hardly missed a game in three seasons. King will put his hand up for more minutes in the absence of Asofa-Solomona.
11. Second Row: Shawn Blore
Age: 24 Games: 56 Tries: 3 Finals: 2
Another to flourish under Bellamy, Blore could easily have been lining up for the Panthers after coming through their junior ranks. Finally injury-free, Blore adds aggression to the Storm with his fearless approach.
12. Second Row: Eliesa Katoa
Age: 24 Games: 91 Tries: 28 Finals: 5
Katoa has been one of Melbourne’s best this season, living up to the promise he showed as a junior after three lean seasons with the Warriors. The Tongan danger-man can sniff out a try, scoring 12 this year.
13. Lock: Trent Loiero
Age: 23 Games: 74 Tries: 6 Finals: 6
Switching Loiero from the edge into lock has proved a master-stroke by Bellamy with the young Queenslander happy to get through a ton of work. Got a taste of the big time when coach Billy Slater called him into the Origin squad.
14. Interchange: Tyran Wishart
Age: 24 Games: 54 Tries: 14 Finals: 3
Wishart is the answer to just about any Storm question. One of the most improved players in the NRL, the utility is looking to achieve what his father Rod couldn’t and win a premiership.
15. Interchange: Christian Welch
Age: 30 Games: 162 Tries: 7 Finals: 15
Welch is one of only four players remaining from the 2020 grand-final triumph over Penrith. Only played eight minutes in the preliminary final, his experience will surely be called upon for more game time in the decider.
16. Interchange: Lazarus Vaalepu
Age: 25 Games: 6 Tries: 1 Finals: 0
Only making his NRL debut in round 20, Penrith-born prop Vaalepu has leap-frogged a number of contenders on to the Storm bench. He’s the least experienced player to ever line up in an NRL grand final.
17. Interchange: Alec MacDonald
Age: 22 Games: 45 Tries: 3 Finals: 2
MacDonald earned his place in the Storm line-up on pure effort, always ready to rip in. Playing through the middle he is always putting his hand up to take a tough carry or for looking for extra work in defence.
18. Replacement: Grant Anderson
Age: 24 Games: 27 Tries: 12 Finals: 0
A certain starter at any other club, speedster Anderson made the most of his opportunities this year. Can fit in anywhere in the back-line, including halfback.
Penrith Panthers
1. Fullback: Dylan Edwards
Age: 28 Games: 150 Tries: 52 Finals: 16
It’s been a season of ups and downs for workmanlike Edwards – picked for his State of Origin debut but hampered by a knee issue since NSW’s series win. But appears to be rediscovering his best at the right time, and remains critical defensively in the back-field.
2. Wing: Sunia Turuva
Age: 22 Games: 51 Tries: 29 Finals: 5
A ball of energy on the left wing, he’s been back to his best returning from a spell working on his defence in NSW Cup. Leaves Penrith for Wests Tigers next season so will be eager to go out on the right note.
3. Centre: Izack Tago
Age: 22 Games: 73 Tries: 34 Finals: 7
Has had a down season by his standards but his pace and size make him a potent attacking threat on the right edge. Prone to a defensive error here and there so must be on his game marking up on breakout Storm player Jack Howarth.
4. Centre: Paul Alamoti
Age: 20 Games: 34 Tries: 9 Finals: 2
Entered the season playing second fiddle to Taylan May, and could finish it with a maiden premiership ring. Has proven a more than handy replacement for Stephen Crichton, and is the only Panthers starter playing in his first decider.
5. Wing: Brian To’o
Age: 26 Games: 116 Tries: 80 Finals: 14
There’s no denying it anymore – he’s one of the greatest wingers in modern history. Reliable, powerful out of yardage and a strong finisher, he impacts games in ways wingers never used to.
6. Five-eighth: Jarome Luai
Age: 27 Games: 130 Tries: 25 Finals: 14
The flamboyant five-eighth has hit top gear this season, vital amid Nathan Cleary’s injury struggles. His impending arrival at Wests Tigers marks the end of an era as Penrith’s star halves pairing disbands. Arguably the highest-profile player to leave the club amid five years of dominance.
7. Halfback: Nathan Cleary
Age: 26 Games: 171 Tries: 61 Finals: 21
Penrith’s most important player, their best across two finals wins in 2024, and their saviour in last year’s decider. The stoic superstar No.7 is carrying a shoulder problem highly likely to require off-season surgery, and any mid-game aggravation could torpedo the Panthers’ hopes of four straight grand final wins.
8. Prop: Moses Leota
Age: 29 Games: 174 Tries: 14 Finals: 17
Crucial to setting the tone and helping Penrith capitalise on their advantage over Melbourne’s middle forwards, an advantage that has only grown since Nelson Asofa-Solomona lost his battle at the judiciary.
9. Hooker: Mitch Kenny
Age: 26 Games: 106 Tries: 4 Finals: 11
Not as flashy as predecessor Api Koroisau but doesn’t need to be as long as he’s making his tackles in the middle and providing good service out of dummy-half. Was the unlikely first try-scorer in last year’s pulsating decider.
10. Prop: James Fisher-Harris
Age: 28 Games: 202 Tries: 16 Finals: 21
The fearsome enforcer plays his last game before returning home to the Warriors. Has been among the NRL’s best front-rowers for the past five years, and will be raring to be unleashed on a Storm pack that lacks the Panthers’ punch.
11. Second Row: Luke Garner
Age: 29 Games: 103 Tries: 31 Finals: 5
His career-best form could keep Scott Sorensen out of the starting side if the three-time premiership winner recovers in time to play. Has gone from journeyman to bonafide winner in two seasons at Penrith and is likely to shift to the centres in the event of a back-line injury.
12. Second Row: Liam Martin
Age: 27 Games: 125 Tries: 26 Finals: 15
The Panthers’ pest-in-chief, known for relishing physical contact and one-on-one battles. Melbourne five-eighth Cameron Munster has laid the groundwork for another chapter in their rivalry by claiming the pair did not get on well during their time playing for Australia.
13. Lock: Isaah Yeo
Age: 29 Games: 244 Tries: 31 Finals: 21
The elder statesman and inspirational leader. Broke the all-time record for most Penrith games last week and is the team’s linchpin in the middle of the field with his silky hands. Will be remembered as one of the clubs’ all-time greats.
14. Interchange: Brad Schneider
Age: 23 Games: 26 Tries: 5 Finals: 2
The former Raider’s level of involvement will hinge on Cleary’s shoulder injury – he could be called on to combat a mid-game crisis, or could go unused altogether.
15. Interchange: Lindsay Smith
Age: 24 Games: 53 Tries: 4 Finals: 5
The lanky Smith has quietly pieced together a great season from the bench, showcasing his potential as a ball-player, and can provide cover for an edge in the event of an injury.
16. Interchange: Liam Henry
Age: 23 Games: 26 Tries: 2 Finals: 2
Penrith’s presumptive rookie of the year has enjoyed a fruitful first season as a bench middle, notably coming within three shots of the NRL-era record for most tackles in a game. One of only four Panthers named in the 17 for their first grand final.
17. Interchange: Matthew Eisenhuth
Age: 32 Games: 135 Tries: 5 Finals: 3
Could finally make an appearance on the big day after being the hard-luck story across Penrith’s three grand final wins. Sorensen will nudge him out of the side if he recovers from a hamstring injury in time to play.
18. Replacement: Casey McLean
Age: 18 Games: 7 Tries: 3 Finals: 0
Tipped as a future star of the Panthers’ back-line. Will only play in the event of multiple game-ending head knocks or one caused by an act of foul play resulting in a sin bin.
with AAP