The best team from the past four years faces off against the best team in 2024, in what promises to be a historic night. Can the Panthers become the first team in 58 years to win four in a row?
Not since the Bunnies in 1967-71 has a team appeared in five successive Grand Final’s, with the Storm entering their fifth big dance in the past nine seasons.
Both sides have had a reasonably smooth path to this point, albeit the Sharks and Roosters did have a decent crack in the second half last week, before this year’s Dally M medallist, Jahrome Hughes, put on a show and ensured the Storm gives Craig Bellamy one more look at a Premiership.
There are scintillating match ups all over the park, none more than Hughes and Munster against Cleary and Luai, yet it’s former Clive Churchill winners, Papenhuyzen and Edwards that could light it up and decide who takes home the trophy.
As always there’s been drama in the lead up, with big Nelson being cruelly sidelined for his tackle in the opening seconds of the Preliminary Final, while all eyes will be on Nathan Cleary’s shoulder, which looked dodgy in the closing minutes against the Sharks.
The Storm have won both clashes this season, 8-0 in the opener and a hard fought 24-22 in Round 24 thanks to a Nick Meaney penalty goal late in the match.
Melbourne Storm have been big scorers of late, landing 213 points in the past five games, but the Panthers are the premier defenders, averaging 9.6 points in their past 11 finals.
When looking at first try scorers or anytime try scorers:
- Brian To’o has scored nine tries in 11 games against the Storm.
- Ryan Papenhuyzen has scored a try in all four games he has played at Accor Stadium
The Storm will break the run and win in a tight one. Munster or Harry Grant to collect the Clive Churchill.
Bring on tonight!
