‘It wouldn’t be human’: Panthers brace for fired-up Storm as beaten grand finalists prepare to unleash fearsome front row

Penrith expects the Storm to be fired up for Thursday’s grand final rematch where they’ll unleash the most destructive forward in the world.

Ivan Cleary was in no mood to relive last week’s shock loss to the Roosters, with the Panthers coach fully focused on Thursday night’s grand final rematch against a fired-up Storm side that boasts a beefed-up forward pack compared with the one that went down in last year’s decider.

Penrith dominated the middle and was able to shut down Melbourne’s star spine in the grand final, but that won’t be so easy this time with Nelson Asofa-Solomona returning from suspension to join new recruit Stefano Utoikamanu in the front row.

The Storm has the added advantage of being fresh from last week’s bye, while the Panthers are coming off one of their worst defensive performances during their incredible run under Cleary.

It’s why they find themselves $3.10 outsiders for the grand final rematch, with the four-time defending premiers not just the outsiders but despised underdogs with star fullback Dylan Edwards out injured.

Ivan Cleary is expecting the Storm to be driven from last year’s grand final defeat. Picture: NRL Photos

Storm players have openly said this week that they are driven by last year’s loss, and it’s a feeling the Panthers know well after they lost to Melbourne in the 2020 decider, which inspired their premiership run.

“We definitely did back then,” Cleary said.

“I think it wouldn’t be human if you didn’t have a little bit of that (revenge) in you. But we always totally respect the Storm, always have and always look forward to this opportunity to play them.

“Going down to Melbourne is arguably the toughest road trip in the game. It’s a great challenge. Definitely looking forward to it.”

Cleary refused to buy into suggestions their opponents are stronger now with their recruits, while the Panthers could be slightly weaker with Edwards injured and Jarome Luai and James Fisher-Harris no longer at the club.

While both teams can score points from anywhere, the biggest battle will be in the middle where the Storm struggled in the grand final, with Eli Katoa the only forward to crack 100 running metres.

Nelson Asofa-Solomona missed last year’s decider but is set to play on Thursday night. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Utoikamanu will help fix that, but the major change is Asofa-Solomona, who copped a five-game ban in the finals series and is back on deck after avoiding another suspension for a hip-drop tackle in the Queensland Cup.

The man mountain generates incredible ruck speed for the Storm’s spine, but Panthers prop Lindsay Smith is looking forward to the challenge.

“He’s definitely a big human,” he said, not fussed about his rival avoiding another ban.

“You’ve got to throw everything you’ve got into each and every tackle with him.

“He’s not just big – he’s mobile and he’s fast and he’s athletic as well, so there’s a lot that goes into it.

Lindsay Smith is looking forward to the challenge of taking on Melbourne’s big middles. Picture: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images/AFP

“With a guy that size, I feel like you’ve got to be physically and mentally ready. If you’re not there physically or mentally, he can make you look like a bit of a (fool).”

While it’s not the oldest rivalry in the game, the two teams have been involved in some spicy clashes over the years, with the Panthers replacing the Storm as the most dominant team in the league.

“I’ve watched them since I was a kid dominating the NRL, so it’s always an exciting challenge to go down there and play them,” Smith said.

“As a kid, whenever you see a team beat Melbourne, you’re always super happy. There is some sort of excitement when you go down there and play, but I don’t think too much preparation changes.”