In a thrilling rematch that harked back to last year’s grand final, the Melbourne Storm edged out the Penrith Panthers with a dramatic 22-18 victory at CommBank Stadium, providing an electrifying preview of the upcoming finals.
The match kicked off with the Panthers taking an early lead, thanks to Isaiah Papali’i, who forced his way over from close range. Despite strong efforts to extend their advantage, Penrith were thwarted when Marion Seve executed a stunning tackle to deny Brian To’o’s try attempt.
The Storm responded with a spectacular moment from Xavier Coates, whose acrobatic try initially faced scrutiny over potential loss of possession. However, the Bunker adjudged that Coates had regained control, much to the surprise of commentators and spectators alike. Before halftime, Nathan Cleary showcased his tactical prowess, scoring after a clever chip from Izack Tago, leaving the Panthers ahead 12-4.
In an unfortunate twist, the Storm suffered an injury setback as young halfback Jonah Pezet appeared to hurt himself, while Penrith extended their lead with a penalty goal. As the second half unfolded, the game’s momentum shifted dramatically. An intercept try from Coates brought Melbourne back into contention, followed by a clever assist that allowed Joe Chan to score, as the Storm seized a 18-12 lead.
The Panthers retaliated quickly, with Scott Sorensen breaking through to reestablish their lead, but the contest remained fiercely competitive. Nick Meaney’s brilliant run set up Seve for a late try, securing an 18-18 deadlock and building up to an exhilarating finish.
As the clock ticked down in regular time, Cleary’s field goal was halted by a penalty against Moses Leota for obstructing Harry Grant, showcasing the high stakes at play. Cleary had two more attempts to win it, but both were charged down, forcing the match into golden point extra time.
In a heart-stopping conclusion, an error from Penrith allowed Cameron Munster to exploit the gap in their defence, leading to Harry Grant’s game-winning try under the posts. Commentators hailed the encounter as worthy of grand finals, highlighting Melbourne’s resilience despite missing several key players.
The match confirmed both teams’ status as premiership heavyweights, leaving fans eagerly awaiting what the finals season holds for these formidable sides.