NRL teams: Storm handed huge boost ahead of 2020 GF rematch

A star’s return couldn’t come at a better time for the Melbourne Storm, while the Panthers sweat over the fitness of one of their wingers.

Josh Addo-Carr has been named in the starting line-up for the Melbourne Storm’s preliminary final against Penrith. Picture: Ian Hitchcock / Getty Images

As the Melbourne Storm look to win back-to-back premierships, they’ve been handed a massive boost with the return of winger Josh Addo-Carr.

The 26-year-old had missed Melbourne’s qualifying final against Manly due to a hamstring injury, but his return to the team couldn’t come at a better time as the Storm take on the Panthers in their preliminary final.

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Addo-Carr takes the place of Isaac Lumelume, who was dropped to the reserves.

The Storm also named Brandon Smith as the starting hooker. Smith was under a small injury cloud due to a suspected facial fracture suffered in their win over Manly, but was cleared of any serious damage.

For the Panthers, they’re hoping star winger Brian To’o will overcome his ankle injury in time for Saturday’s game.

Josh Addo-Carr returns to the Storm after missing their opening finals game with a hamstring injury. Picture: Albert Perez / Getty Images

South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett has named an unchanged side from the team that beat the Panthers in week one of the NRL finals.

The Rabbitohs are at full strength apart from Latrell Mitchell and Josh Mansour, who miss out due to suspension and a knee injury respectively.

Manly is also unchanged from its emphatic victory over the Sydney Roosters in the semi final, as Des Hasler looks to guide the Sea Eagles into their first NRL grand final since 2013.

Friday September 24

Preliminary final 1

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, 7.50pm at Suncorp Stadium

Rabbitohs team: 1. Blake Taaffe 2. Alex Johnston 3. Dane Gagai 4. Campbell Graham 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Cody Walker 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Mark Nicholls 9. Damien Cook 10. Tevita Tatola 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Cameron Murray 14. Benji Marshall 15. Jacob Host 16. Thomas Burgess 17. Jai Arrow 18. Taane Milne 19. Patrick Mago 20. Braidon Burns 21. Jed Cartwright

Sea Eagles team: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Brad Parker 4. Morgan Harper 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Kieran Foran 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Josh Aloiai 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Martin Taupau 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Josh Schuster 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Dylan Walker 15. Karl Lawton 16. Sean Keppie 17. Taniela Paseka 18. Toafofoa Sipley 19. Moses Suli 20. Curtis Sironen 21. Tevita Funa

Saturday September 25

Preliminary final 2

Melbourne Storm v Penrith Panthers, 4pm at Suncorp Stadium

Storm team: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. George Jennings 3. Reimis Smith 4. Justin Olam 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Brandon Smith 10. Christian Welch 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenneath Bromwich 13. Dale Finucane 14. Harry Grant 15. Tui Kamikamica 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 17. Nicholas Hynes 18. Aaron Pene 19. Tom Eisenhuth 20. Chris Lewis 21. Isaac Lumelume

Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Stephen Crichton 3. Paul Momirovski 4. Matt Burton 5. Brent Naden 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Tyrone May 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Tevita Pangai Junior 17. Liam Martin 18. Izack Tago 19. Spencer Leniu 20. J’maine Hopgood 21. Brian To’o