NRL 2023: Penrith Panthers respond to Melbourne Storm’s bizarre jersey training stunt

Panthers at Storm training? That’s not something you see every day. Penrith stars have responded to Melbourne’s ‘weird’ tactic of wearing rival jerseys ahead of their preliminary final clash.

Spotted! Melbourne Storm forward Tepai Moeroa wearing an imitation Panthers jersey at training.

Moses Leota called it “weird” and Lindsay Smith giggled when he was asked about it.

Melbourne’s tactic of training in opposition jerseys has remerged this week and was met with a mixed response from Penrith’s front rowers on Wednesday.

It comes as Penrith received a huge double boost ahead of Friday‘s preliminary final after injured stars Jarome Luai and Izack Tago got through a 90-minute full-contact session unscathed last night.

The final call on Luai, who hasn‘t played since dislocating his shoulder in round 26, will be made by medical staff after Thursday morning’s captain’s run.

Spotted! Melbourne Storm forward Tepai Moeroa wearing an imitation Panthers jersey at training.

The Storm’s second-string side were spotted training in Penrith jerseys during an opposed session, something Melbourne did wearing Roosters kit ahead of the 2018 grand final.

Leota and Smith’s teammate and fellow prop James Fisher-Harris broke ranks to praise Storm coach Craig Bellamy‘s ingenuity.

“I heard about it,” Fisher-Harris said.

“It’s smart though, I’d do that … maybe it’s about awareness.”

Melbourne will need a mental edge at Accor Stadium on Friday night given Penrith have a 6-3 win record since 2020.

It’s believed Melbourne coaching staff had the imitation jerseys made especially for the opposed contact session and the custom made jumpers even had Penrith’s logo and sponsor printed on the front.

While one Penrith official insisted Panthers players could never be convinced to put on the colours of a rival outfit at training, Fisher-Harris was more diplomatic when asked if he‘d ever pull on another jersey.

It’s believed Melbourne coaching staff had the imitation jerseys made especially for the opposed contact session, in preparation for their preliminary final clash against Penrith.

“Whatever it is to help the team, that‘s why they’re doing it,” Fisher-Harris said.

Fellow enforcer Leota said he was shocked to see the training photos that were doing the rounds on social media on Tuesday afternoon.

“That was weird, it was the first time I have seen that,” Leota laughed.

“It is funny to see how other teams prepare.”

Before becoming a regular in the NRL side, Smith spent plenty of time running on opposite sides of the field during contact sessions.

But even the rising prop, who has re-signed at Penrith until the end of 2026, found the tactic amusing.

“We‘ve never had to train in other teams jerseys,” Smith said.

“I saw that today and had a little giggle.

“For our boys that aren‘t playing each week they will try and emulate the opposition team, the Storm have found a different way to do that this week.”

Fisher-Harris welcomed the return of Luai and Tago for Friday night‘s showdown.

“I can‘t remember when we have had a full strength team,” said Fisher-Harris.

Halfback Nathan Cleary will also take the field after sending an injury scare through Penrith’s camp on Monday morning.

Cleary was sent to hospital after dislocating a finger but scans cleared the No.7 of any serious injury.