Melbourne are officially the real deal after underlining their NRL title credentials with a steely 24-22 victory over Penrith to all but clinch the 2024 minor premiership.
Thursday night’s come-from-behind away win at BlueBet Stadium moved the Storm four points clear of the Panthers at the top of the ladder with three rounds remaining.
Melbourne have sat first since round 15 but, until now, somewhat flew under the radar as the Panthers hogged the spotlight.
With Penrith superstar Nathan Cleary suffering a shoulder injury which forced him from the field, the Storm may now be title favourites ahead of the three-time defending premiers.
The Storm were able to roll through Penrith’s middle early and win the territorial battle, with the Panthers seemingly off their game and Cleary lacking his customary polish.
Melbourne were far from perfect and, if these two sides meet in the finals, the Storm will know they can’t afford to offer Penrith easy chances.
They were guilty of doing so on Thursday night, with a Will Warbrick error in the play-the-ball quickly seeing a 10-0 lead evaporate in the first half.
The Storm led again 16-10 before the break, but found themselves behind 22-16 early in the second half.
That is when most sides fade against the Panthers, outdone by their class and aura.
Not Melbourne.
With Cameron Munster off the field after a head knock and Nelson Asofa-Solomona sin-binned for a shoulder charge, it was bench utility Tyran Wishart who stepped up.
The unlikely hero dummied his way past Trent Toelau and went in under the posts, sending a message to not just the Panthers but the entire NRL.
A penalty against James Fisher-Harris for hitting Jahrome Hughes after he passed allowed Melbourne to kick clear, and claim a lead they would not relinquish.
The round-24 clash was the best in the Penrith-Melbourne rivalry in three years, with most lopsided and failing to live up to lofty expectation since the start of 2022.
This showdown lived up to the hype.
Such was the significance of Melbourne’s win, it marked only the fourth time Penrith have been beaten at home with Cleary and Jarome Luai in the halves since the end of 2019.
Penrith will have Liam Martin back against Canberra next week, while fellow second-rower Scott Sorensen is also expected to return before the finals.
Melbourne also have reinforcements coming, in the form of Christian Welch (back) and winger Xavier Coates (hamstring) in coming weeks.
Despite excelling again with Cleary sidelined for much of the season with a hamstring injury, Penrith’s hopes of a rare four-peat may well hinge on the scans to the superstar No.7’s shoulder.
But the Storm will walk away from BlueBet Stadium with increasing belief they can capture a first premiership in seven years.
Source Agencies
