NRL 2021: Can anyone stop Storm, Panthers in premiership race?
In the countdown to Saturday night’s Storm v Panthers blockbuster, we ask the game’s best judges to declare their grand final winner. HAVE YOUR SAY
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Penrith against Melbourne. In the eyes of many, it’s the NRL grand final in July.
Set to be one of the highest-rating matches of the year on Fox Sports, the title heavyweights meet next Saturday night.
In the countdown to the blockbuster, David Riccio and Michael Carayannis ask the game’s best judges to declare their grand final winner and you can HAVE YOUR SAY in our poll below.
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LARA PITT (FOX LEAGUE)
“It is impossible to go past Melbourne Storm going back to back. To think they haven’t even played with their full-strength squad is astonishing and yet they’ve dominated all year.
“The freedom and excitement with which they’re playing looks unstoppable and it’s hard to find a weakness across whoever lands in their 17 each week.”
YVONNE SAMPSON (FOX LEAGUE)
“Melbourne and Penrith are the obvious contenders to win the premiership, but I’m going to make a case for the Rabbitohs to unleash “Glory, Glory” in October. Wayne Bennett has the emotion and timing of a finals run down to a fine art and the Redfern boys will want to send out captain Adam Reynolds with another premiership ring.”
PHIL ROTHFIELD (SUNDAY TELEGRAPH)
“Who would have thought Storm would cope so well without Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater? Their depth is extraordinary with two of the best hookers in the comp (Brandon Smith and Harry Grant) and two of the best fullbacks (Ryan Papenhuyzen and Nicho Hynes). They will beat Penrith next weekend and win the grand final in October.”
MATTY JOHNS (FOX LEAGUE, SEN RADIO)
“Melbourne will win the comp. Depth gives you flexibility. No matter who they lose they can adjust. Brandon Smith and Harry Grant are two of the best dummy halves, but they play slightly differently. That gives Craig Bellamy options before and during a match. Nathan Cleary, he has to be there for the Panthers to be any chance.’’
RAY HADLEY (2GB)
“Penrith will win the grand final if Nathan Cleary is fit and healthy. And I say that with a very big ‘if’. Without Nathan on the field, the pendulum swings back Melbourne’s way.”
MICK ENNIS (FOX LEAGUE)
“After seeing Penrith get beat last year and then watching how their Origin stars performed, I’d love them to win. But Storm has know-how, experience and are hardened mentally from success in big games.”
SHANE FLANAGAN (FOX LEAGUE, 2GB)
“If both teams have their best team to choose from, Melbourne wins the grand final.
“My big concern is, with a shoulder injury like Nathan Cleary has, it can go at any time and they can’t win it without him.”
PAUL KENT (DAILY TELEGRAPH)
“Melbourne is putting together one of those rare seasons.
For so long the best defensive team in the game, the Storm have adapted to the new rules better than anybody and are far and away the NRL’s best attacking team. It’s a tough combination to beat.”
ANDREW VOSS (FOX LEAGUE AND SEN)
“The Storm get the better of the Panthers.
“Again we are dealing with a disrupted season, and the Storm have been there and done that. Both teams are great to watch and their defensive records strong, but I just don’t see a weak link in the Storm. Carried on despite injuries to absolute key players in spine and haven’t missed a beat.”
BRAITH ANASTA (FOX LEAGUE)
“Clearly the teams to beat are Melbourne and Penrith, but I have a feeling about Souths.
“The fairytale of Wayne Bennett, in his last season, the way his teams time their run to perfection... and don’t forget the send-off of Adam Reynolds.”
LUKE LEWIS (ABC SPORT)
“Melbourne are so good all over the field. Their two hookers are so suited to the new rules. They don’t rely on one or two players and they still haven’t had their full squad take the field together yet.”
DAVID RICCIO (SUNDAY TELEGRAPH)
“I can’t go past the Storm.
“That’s not a shot at the Panthers, they’re an outstanding football team. But Melbourne are one rung above in speed, class and critically, they have the emotional experience of knowing how to win the trophy after being relocated to Queensland before winning the comp in 2020.’’
JOEL CAINE (SEN RADIO)
“Tipping the Storm. What the Panthers have achieved in the last 18-months is phenomenal. However, the premiership is a marathon and timing is everything. It seems little things are starting to go against the Panthers. Jamaican sprinter Merlene Ottey was a seven-times world champion, but could never peak in time for the Olympic gold.”
MARK GEYER (TRIPLE M)
“Penrith win the big one this year.
“The pain of last year would be burning every time they play, and it would be a reminder when things aren’t going their way.
“Like we did in ‘91 after losing to the same team the year prior, revenge is a powerful tool when used the correct way.’’
DENE HALATAU (ABC SPORT)
“Melbourne have been the fastest at adapting to the way the game is played. They are able to generate so much momentum and have skill and execution to capitalise. Jahrome Hughes is next behind Nathan Cleary as the best half in the game and will always have a big influence on the outcome.
WARREN SMITH (FOX LEAGUE)
“At a time of so much change and upheaval, on and off the field, the one constant in the NRL is the Melbourne Storm. A repeat awaits.”
HANNAH HOLLIS (FOX LEAGUE)
“Despite upheaval and relocation, the Storm are consistently delivering excellence and, at times, it is with ease. I can’t see anyone rivalling them on grand final day. They’ll win back to back competitions.”
DEAN RITCHIE (DAILY TELEGRAPH)
“I can’t see Penrith winning the premiership and I’m not even convinced Ivan Cleary’s team can reach the grand final. The magic and momentum of last year seems to have slowly evaporated. They will be there in a preliminary final but won’t have the thrust and steam of a Souths, Parramatta, Roosters, or even Manly.’’
JAMES GRAHAM (FOX LEAGUE)
“Penrith. If Nathan Cleary returns I feel they have it slightly over Melbourne. Last season’s heartbreak should be the motivation and experience to go one further.”
DAN GINNANE (FOX LEAGUE AND TRIPLE M)
“The question is this – can Penrith’s unflinching defence handle the Storm’s ruthless attack? We haven’t seen a defensive unit like these Panthers since 1996 when Manly conceded just eight points a game, yet we may have never seen an attack like this Storm outfit. Penrith, just.”
PAUL CRAWLEY (DAILY TELEGRAPH)
“Craig Bellamy has done an exceptional job reshaping this team post Cam Smith. The reason I slightly have them ahead at this minute is because there is now an injury concern hanging over Nathan Cleary, whereas the
Storm don’t miss a beat, regardless of who is and isn’t playing.”
MICHAEL CARAYANNIS (SUNDAY TELEGRAPH)
“Melbourne have set a new benchmark for excellence and have managed to do so without their best players on the field. Penrith are no doubt a classy outfit but no-one can match the Storm if at their best.”
JOHN GIBBS (ABC SPORT)
“Assuming Penrith have their best available, they have the necessary attacking potency and most importantly they are the only team with the defensive capability to somewhat limit Melbourne’s attacking opportunities.
CHRIS HEIGHINGTON (ABC SPORT)
“Melbourne are a really well balanced team with a great mix of speed and power. Brandon Smith and Harry Grant’s combination is unstoppable at times. Nicho Hynes is taking his game to a new level and they still have one of the best fullbacks to come back into the team in Ryan Papenhuyzen.”
MATT RUSSELL (FOX LEAGUE)
“The Storm seem indestructible at the moment, losing so many stars during the last few years and more injuries this season. Yet they not only keep winning but they pile on record points along the way. We already know they can defend and as reigning premiers while based on the Sunshine Coast last season, it’s proven they’ll handle yet another relocation.”
LAURIE DALEY (BIG SPORTS BREAKFAST)
“I like Penrith, who have been building nicely over the last couple of years and their key players will benefit from their Origin experience this year.
“Obviously, Cleary’s inclusion with his kicking game and proven decision-making in big games is critical to the Panthers going all the way.’’
MAL MENINGA (FOX LEAGUE AND KANGAROOS TEST COACH)
“Panthers. I picked them to win the comp at the start of year. The experience and the disappointment of last year’s grand final loss will propel them to go one better.”
WALTERS CONFIRMS STAGGS PLAN
Broncos coach Kevin Walters will not shift Kotoni Staggs to five-eighth after Brisbane’s misfiring attack missed a golden opportunity to sink a plodding Penrith on Saturday night.
The Panthers escaped with an 18-12 win at Suncorp Stadium but it was far from pretty as the gritty Broncos took Penrith to the wire for the second time this season.
For some reason the Broncos bring out the worst in NRL premiership heavyweights Penrith.
When they met earlier this year the Panthers scratched their way to a scrappy 20-12 win and it was a similar story again as Penrith missed 66 tackles – the most of any team in the NRL this season.
The Panthers were rudderless in the first half without star halfback Nathan Cleary (shoulder), bubble-breaching hooker Api Koroisau (suspended) and ball-playing lock Isaah Yeo, who was knocked out by Broncos prop Tom Flegler in the 10th minute.
A three-try blitz in 11 minutes early in the second half gave Penrith an 18-0 lead and it looked like the Panthers would run away with it from there
But improving Broncos forwards Kobe Hetherington (66th minute) and Ethan Bullemor (74th) barged over to set up a grandstand finish, only for Penrith to hang on.
Prop Payne Haas was once again in his own league for Brisbane, charging for 170m, busting 12 tackles and making 37 in another remarkable individual performance.
SIXES AND SEVENS
Walters is planning to play Staggs at five-eighth next season but he won’t be making the change any time soon.
It has been clear for a long time that Brodie Croft is not the halfback the Broncos need and he will be replaced by South Sydney’s Adam Reynolds in the No. 7 jersey next year.
Five-eighth Tyson Gamble is a solid Intrust Super Cup player whose biggest asset at NRL level is enthusiasm and energy.
The Broncos are going nowhere with this halves combination and Staggs has played three games in his return from a knee reconstruction.
Walters could start planning for the future so Staggs and the Broncos hit the pre-season running rather than waste the next six rounds with a pop-gun attack.
“Everyone is pretty happy with what they’re seeing from him at centre at the moment,” Walters said.
“He’s a powerful runner and defensively he’s very good as well.
“We’re not going to move him any time soon. That will be something we discuss with Kotoni when he’s comfortable.
“At the moment he’s comfortable playing in that position. He’s aware of his role in that position.
“Coming back from a major injury, he’s happy to stay there.”
Walters has used 34 players this season – the most in Brisbane’s 33-year history and enough to fill two teams. He needs to find consistency in his 17 and plan for 2022.
BRONCOS GO BACK TO SCHOOL
Walters needs to take the Broncos back to preschool next pre-season.
The Broncos are so poor at the fundamentals of rugby league that it is putting them under immense pressure.
Flegler dropped the ball in the second tackle of the game from a regulation carry and the Broncos didn’t touch it for the next five minutes.
Hooker Jake Turpin produced one of the worst passes from dummy-half you will ever see.
Gamble lost possession in attacking territory by trying to play-the-ball too quickly.
These are simple things that have a massive impact on games. The good teams don’t make those mistakes as often as the Broncos do.
“We were under pressure straight away, that can bring teams together,” Walters said.
“We were good at stages, not just quite good enough. I liked the way they stuck together, which is what we’ve been striving for all season. I saw some really good signs.
“There’s some things we can do better with our attack, but defensively I was really happy with our effort.
“We’re a big club and a proud club. We don’t want to stay where we are for too long. We saw some good signs.
“The key is to back it up in six days’ time against the Cowboys. That will be a big test to get up.”
FORTUNATE FLEGLER
Flegler was fortunate not to be sent off after knocking Yeo out of the game.
Flegler collected Yeo across the chin as the Panthers lock was about to score, leaving him dazed on the turf.
Yeo was ruled out of the remainder of the game but Flegler was given only 10 minutes in the sin bin.
If it happened in Magic Round when the NRL’s high-contact crackdown was implemented then Flegler may have not returned.
OUT OF SORTS PANTHERS SURVIVE BRONCOS SCARE
—Joel Gould
Panthers coach Ivan Cleary was fuming after captain Isaah Yeo was knocked out cold by Thomas Flegler but the Broncos prop was just sin-binned rather than sent off.
It wasn’t the returning Jarome Luai that got the out of sorts Panthers out of trouble against the brave Broncos 18-12 but their pocket rocket Brian To’o whose toughness and relentless running proved decisive.
Defensively the Panthers were horrendous and missed 66 tackles, a repeat of which in the finals series will prove terminal.
Their cause was not helped when inspirational skipper Yeo was knocked out in the ninth minute and did not return after Flegler caught him flush across the chin and was sin-binned.
Cleary said that punishment was not sufficient punishment.
“He was knocked out as soon as he hit him. It was an illegal act. That’s why he went to the bin,” Cleary said.
“ I don’t know what you have got to do to get sent off. That’s just my opinion. If it was Magic Round he would have been sent off.
“You lose your captain and one of your best players from the game. It certainly affected us a lot worse than it did them.”
Cleary must wonder how the Panthers could ever replace their energiser bunny To’o who was belted all night by vicious Brisbane defence but kept returning fire with fire.
The Panthers struggled to put the Broncos away 20-12 back in round six and this clash was no different against a Payne Haas inspired outfit. Penrith led 4-0 at halftime due to steely Brisbane defence and their own lack of cohesion.
To’o was belted in the first half but kept bouncing back like the warrior he is to inspire the clunky Panthers. Big Viliame Kikau went for an HIA when he collided with To’o’s melon in the first half. The NSW winger did not flinch. Kikau returned to the park and got Penrith’s second half scoring going to put To’o over. A no-look flick from Stephen Crichton to Charlie Staines followed and the Panthers led 12-0 in the blink of an eye. Crichton added a try of his own and the Panthers looked home, before Brisbane stormed back due to terrible Penrith defending.
“We missed way too many tackles and that made us work harder than we should have. Sometimes it can be contagious. There was one run by Isaako where we missed 10,” Cleary said.
TOUGH TO’O
There aren’t enough superlatives to do justice to the work To’o does for the Panthers. When they are in form, he shines. When they are ordinary, he is excellent. To’o has the most run metres through 19 rounds in the NRL era and banked another 212m.
DYLAN DOUBLE ACT
Fullback Dylan Edwards landed a remarkable 42m field goal on the cusp of halftime and soccered a loose Luai pass to set up the Crichton try. Panthers board member Greg Alexander said he had seen Edwards kick field goals at training but “nothing like that”. It was rare skill and went with his great work from back field to give plenty of help to To’o.
LUAI WATCH
NSW playmaker Luai returned from a knee injury for his first game in three weeks and it wasn’t one of his trademark displays. He is best in combination with Nathan Cleary, who is slated to return from injury in the coming weeks. The Panthers attack has been out of sync when the dynamic duo are absent but that will need to change if they are to get the better of the Storm. Luai’s final play options were poor and his passing game was off.
PANGAI PUZZLE
Penrith prop James Fisher-Harris played his last game for the Panthers before he leaves the bubble for the imminent birth of his second child and an extended absence from the side. Tevita Pangai Jnr’s signing for the rest of the season has raised eyebrows but Fisher-Harris is the only Panther in the NRL top 10 for offloads this year. This is where former Bronco wrecking ball Pangai will add a key piece to the Panthers forward puzzle as he is the offload king of the NRL and way out in front with 49 from just 15 matches. The second phase play Pangai will provide could provide the X-factor for the Panthers in the finals.
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Originally published as NRL 2021: Can anyone stop Storm, Panthers in premiership race?
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