57TH MINUTE: Panthers 30-4 STORM
Aaand on the very next set the Panthers are over again, with fullback Dylan Edwards going over after Stephen Crichton put Sunia Turuva into space with a perfect offload. Cleary converts again to put Panthers in front by 26 points. Its all over, stop the fight.
55TH MINUTE: PANTHERS 24-4 STORM
Storm have been dealt a massive blow, with Panthers cracking the Melbourne defence to score first in the second half. Penrith backrower Liam Martin was the man to break through the Storm, running over the top of Cameron Munster to put Nathan Cleary over untouched for his first try of the night. Cleary converts. Storm have a fair margin to claw back now if they’re any hope of coming back in this preliminary final.
HALF-TIME: PANTHERS 18-4 STORM
It’s one way traffic right now, with Penrith in complete control right now. Nathan Cleary has produced some magic in the 28th minute, switching to the left side of the field to put the Panthers other winger, Sunia Turuva, over in the corner. Cleary converts to put this side in front by two converted tries. Jarome Luai played a role in the lead up, but is clearly still not at 100% as he recoveres from a shoulder injury.
23RD MINUTE: PANTHERS 12-4 STORM
Panthers winger Brian To’o is over again for his second try of the night, with Penrith starting to take control of this preliminary final clash. Cleary converts to put his side ahead by 6.
18TH MINUTE: PANTHERS 6-4 STORM
Melbourne Storm enforcer Nelson Asofa-Solomona has narrowly avoided being sent to the sin-bin for a late tackle on Panthers star Nathan Cleary. While only marginally late and more of a push than a tackle, referee Adam Gee said this was a “line in the sand”. Cleary takes the two points after being awarded a penalty.
11TH MINUTE: PANTHERS 4-4 STORM
Justin Olam has redeemed himself just minutes after conceding the first try, beating Panthers centre Izack Tago to open Melbournes account for the night. Nick Meaney misses the attempt at conversion.
4th MINUTE: PANTHERS 4-0 STORM
The Panthers have opened up the scoring in their preliminary final against Melbourne, with Brian To’o scoring the first try of the match. Nathan Cleary and Dylan Edwards combined to put To’o over in the corner, after a poor defensive read from Storm centre Justin Olam. Cleary misses the attempt at conversion.
7PM: LATE MAIL
Melbourne will start Friday night’s preliminary final with Nelson Asofa-Solomona and Bronson Garlick after Harry Grant and Christian Welch were moved back to the interchange bench.
Garlick has come into the Storm squad at the expense of Tyran Wishart, who has missed the Final Cut.
Grant and Welch were named in the Storm starting side on Tuesday.
Melbourne half Jahrome Hughes and Penrith five-eighth Jarome Luai will both start the game after overcoming injuries to take their place. Hughes was in doubt with a calf problem while Luai will take a shoulder injury into the game.
Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo
Bench: 14. Jack Cogger 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Luke Garner
Reserves: 18. Tyrone Peachey
Storm: 1. Nick Meaney 2. William Warbrick 3. Marion Seve 4. Justin Olam 5. Reimis Smith 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tui Kamikamica 19. Bronson Garlick 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 11. Trent Loiero 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Josh King
Bench: 9. Harry Grant 10. Christian Welch 15. Tom Eisenhuth 17. Tariq Sims
Reserves: 14. Tyran Wishart
Originally published as NRL Finals 2023: Penrith Panthers vs Melbourne Storm live scores, team news, updates
