NRL grand final teams: Storm guns including Ryan Papenhuyzen cleared, Broncos reshuffle as Pat Carrigan returns

The Storm have cleared a number of top players for the NRL grand final, while the return of suspended Origin forward Pat Carrigan has forced a reshuffle at the Broncos.

Reece Walsh says he won’t take this grand final for granted. Picture: NRL photos

The return of suspended Origin forward Pat Carrigan in the No.13 jumper has forced a grand final reshuffle at the Broncos, with Tyson Smoothy moving to the bench and Ben Talty the unlucky man to drop out of the 17.

Brisbane coach Michael Maguire speaks of his anguish at overlooking Talty here.

Impact forward Xavier Willison copped only a fine for a cannonball tackle against the Panthers on Sunday and is free to play.

Ezra Mam remains on the bench as an impact weapon.

There was a push for Mam to reclaim the No.6 jumper he wore when he scored a hat-trick in the 2023 grand final, but Maguire was happy with the pivot’s 49-minute hitout against the Panthers on return from a hamstring injury.

Expect Mam to be injected late in the first half at five-eighth with Ben Hunt moving to hooker.

Shawn Blore retains a spot in Melbourne Storm’s starting team for the NRL grand final after being promoted on his return from a throat injury last week.

Star fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen has been given the all clear despite picking up a shoulder complaint against the Sharks.

Trent Loiero has been cleared to play despite being charged by the match review committee, only copping a fine.

Xavier Willison is free to play the grand final despite this cannon ball tackle.

NRL GRAND FINAL TEAMS

STORM VS BRONCOS

Sunday 7:30pm, Accor Stadium, Sydney

Storm

1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Will Warbick 3. Jack Howarth 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero

Interchange: 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Ativalu Lisati 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Alec MacDonald

Reserves: 18. Grant Anderson 19. Bronson Garlick 20. Joe Chan 21. Jonah Pezet 22. Sualauvi Faalogo

Broncos

1. Reece Walsh 2. Josiah Karapani 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Deine Mariner 6. Ben Hunt 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Cory Paix 10. Payne Haas 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan

Interchange: 14. Ezra Mam 15. Kobe Hetherington 16. Xavier Willison 17. Tyson Smoothy

Reserves: 18. Jesse Arthars 19. Jack Gosiewski 20. Ben Talty 21. Selwyn Cobbo 22. Jock Madden

Originally published as NRL grand final teams: Storm guns including Ryan Papenhuyzen cleared, Broncos reshuffle as Pat Carrigan returns