NRL grand final Panthers, Storm team news: Scott Sorensen cleared to play in boost for Penrith | Late Mail

The Penrith Panthers have received a massive boost on the eve of their grand final clash against the Melbourne Storm, with a star forward cleared to play after overcoming injury.

The Panthers have received a massive boost on the eve of the grand final with hardworking forward Scott Sorensen cleared to play in the decider.

The comeback of Sorensen adds another major chapter to the Panthers tilt at history with the hardworking forward fearing his season was over only last month due to a lingering hamstring injury.

Penrith coach Ivan Cleary confirmed Sorensen will play in just his second game in seven weeks after being hampered by a hamstring injury that has plagued his back-end of the season.

“He’ll (Sorensen) be playing tomorrow,’’ Cleary said on Saturday.

Scott Sorensen. Picture: NRL Imagery

“Yeah it’s awesome. Sorro’s been a big part of our team the last three years. He’s a real soldier in our team. He’s like an old man out there as well, a bit of experience and all-round good guy.

“Everyone was pretty bummed when he got injured a few weeks ago and it looked like that was the end of him this year and he was really devastated.

“For him to work so hard and get back and for him to be able to make a contribution tomorrow, it’s really good.’’

However, Cleary stopped short of declaring who Sorensen would replace on the Panthers bench with Matt Eisenhuth or Brad Schneider the two most likely players to make way.

“I’ll confirm the 17 tomorrow,’’ Cleary said.

The consistent edge or middle forward will provide the Panthers with premiership-winning experience, having been a key member of Penrith’s last three premierships.

The 31-year-old’s most recent performance was in round 27 against the Titans, where he started the match in the second-row.

Meanwhile, Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy has hinted at changes following the suspension to Nelson Asofa-Solomona.

While Bellamy has backed inexperienced prop Lazarus Vaalepu to take his place in the 17, he expects changes to the way some of his other middles will play.

Experienced prop Christian Welch played just eight minutes off the interchange bench for the Storm last week while Tui Kamikamica only featured for 21 minutes in the game against the Roosters.

“I’m not going to say here and say it won’t make a difference (without Asofa-Solomona),” Bellamy said.

“He is a big loss for us. Hopefully Laz (Vaalepu) can stand up. A few of the other guys will take on a different role to make up for NAS (Asofa-Solomona) not being there. There are a couple of things we need to change through the system to cover for it.

“Welchy will probably play more minutes.

“(Vaalepu) has done a really good job for us this year when he has come in...He will be in our team.

“Nelson has been good for the whole team. Especially Laz. He has put his arm around his shoulder.”

GRAND FINAL TEAMS

STORM vs. PANTHERS

Sunday, 7:30pm, Accor Stadium, Sydney

Storm

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

Interchange: 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Christian Welch 16. Lazarus Vaalepu 17. Alec MacDonald

Reserves: 18. Grant Anderson 19. Joe Chan 20. Kane Bradley 21. Tepai Moeroa 22. Sualauvi Faalogo

Panthers

1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Luke Garner 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo

Interchange: 14. Brad Schneider 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Liam Henry 17. Matt Eisenhuth

Reserves: 18. Casey McLean 19. Scott Sorensen 20. Trent Toelau 21. Daine Laurie 22. Luke Sommerton

Originally published as NRL grand final Panthers, Storm team news: Scott Sorensen cleared to play in boost for Penrith | Late Mail