Host of stars injured as Storm claim victory over Panthers in grand final rematch

Storm have got their revenge on the Panthers in a thrilling grand final rematch, but the win has come at a great cost for both teams, with a host of injuries to some of their biggest stars.

The revenge-seeking Melbourne Storm had to withstand a furious comeback from a gutsy Nathan Cleary-less Penrith Panthers to win a grand final rematch classic 30-24 at AAMI Park on Thursday night.

With Storm cruising with a 14-point advantage and Panthers superstar halfback Cleary ruled out of the game with concussion after just eight minutes, the odds were well and truly stacked against the Panthers, but they almost pulled off a comeback for the ages.

It was a strange and dramatic moment that forced Cleary off, he got airborne and collided with Storm halfback Jahrome Hughes, coming off worse for wear.

Cleary was taken from the field for a HIA and failed his concussion test, to be replaced by Blaize Talagi, and he will miss the Panthers clash with South Sydney Rabbitohs next Thursday.

Nathan Cleary collision with Jahrome Hughes.

Nathan Cleary failed his concussion test. Picture: Getty Images

This Panthers side, also missing the injured Dylan Edwards, is made of tough stuff.

Winger Paul Alamoti scored a first half double to trim the deficit to four at half time before Casey McLean found a gaping hole in the Storm defence early in the second half to give the Panthers an unlikely lead.

Brian To’o, who has the heart of a champion, scored two late tries to make it a nervous finish for the Storm.

It was an equally gutsy performance from the Storm, who had to battle with two starters down to secure a second win in two games.

BRUTAL NIGHT

The much celebrated return of hulking Storm forward Nelson Asofa-Solomona turned sour when he misjudged a tackle and collected teammate Nick Meaney with an accidental headbutt.

Meaney left the field with a suspected broken jaw.

Winger Grant Anderson limped to the bench with what looked to be a serious knee injury.

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Nick Meaney. Picture: NRL Imagery

RUNNING BATTLE

He got under the skin of Panthers forward Liam Martin with the two having a running battle.

Munster drew the ire of Martin for a tackle that saw Martin’s ankle crush beneath the Storm star and Munster was placed on report.

The Panthers were rocked by two early Storm tries to Anderson and Eliesa Katoa and the injury to superstar Cleary wedged in between.

After conceding 30 points on average in the first two weeks, the Panthers wanted to come out and defend with a bit of vigour, and they showed a hunger for the contest, but still coughed up 30, which will not please coach Ivan Cleary.

Anderson had a breakout season last year and his first up effort was a sign that he wanted to win his position back, but his second half injury stings.

The Storm had their second try after just 12 minutes as the rain set in.

CAM PERFECTION

Cameron Munster delivered a playmaking masterclass at five-eighth for Storm.

Munster put in a perfectly weighted pass for Katoa to slip between three Panthers defenders to collect and score.

With Cleary sidelined and the Storm on fire, it looked as though the home side would record a runaway win, but the Panthers refused to go away.

Instead of sulking, the four-time defending champions showed tremendous resilience and got back the work.

The Melbourne Storm have claimed victory over the Panthers in the grand final rematch, but it has come at a cost. Picture: Getty Images

Panthers centre Paul Alamoti, one of his side’s most productive players in the first half with some punishing runs, got the visitors back into the contest with two tries and the Panthers trailed by just four at half time.

Alamoti’s second try came courtesy of a failed 40/20 attempt by Hughes and all of a sudden it was the Storm who were looking shaky after hey had benefited from Panthers five-eighth Jack Cole’s failed touch finder early in the half.

Xavier Coates try.

PANTHERS GRIT

The Panthers unlikely comeback was complete early in the second half when Casey McLean found a gaping hole.

A Xavier Coates aerial assault had the Storm back in front just three minutes later, soaring over teammate Shawn Blore to claim a Munster kick to score.

Hughes produced a miraculous 20-metre pass, looping over the head of Panthers winger Brian To’o, to find super sub Tyran Wishart in the corner and at 24-16.

With 11 minutes to go, the Panthers turned it into a grandstand finish, with To’o stretching the Storm defence and scoring in the corner, but a delightful grubber kick from Munster to fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen had the Storm up 10 again.

If you thought the Panthers were gone, think again. To’o had a second try in six minutes to set up a tight a tight finish, but Storm held on and got their payback for last year’s grand final defeat.

Originally published as Host of stars injured as Storm claim victory over Panthers in grand final rematch