Panthers 18, Storm 22
It really would not be the worst thing if Penrith and Melbourne meet in the grand final again.
Nothing could separate these heavyweights after 80 minutes, and Harry Grant threw the biggest dummy you’d hope to see to stroll over the line in the 82nd minute to seal a 22-18 Melbourne victory.
The Panthers were chasing their tenth straight win. They were perfect with their completion in the first half, and had a couple of attempts to win it in regulation time, only for a couple of Nathan Cleary field-goals to be charged down, and another denied because Moses Leota had blocked Grant.
They might drop out of the top four by the end of the weekend, but they will lose no admirers, even though things do not get easier next week against Canberra in Mudgee.
Dylan Edwards has won so many games for the premiers, but he will have nightmares about spilling the ball on the first set of extra time.
Liam Martin also sent a scare through the camp with a shoulder injury, but was fine to finish the game. How long before Isaah Yeo returns from his mysterious shoulder injury?
The Storm will not be playing the same waiting game with Ryan Papenhuyzen (concussion), who is expected to return next week for the Friday-night blockbuster against the Bulldogs.
Victory at home over the Dogs will all but seal a top-two finish and the all-important home finals at AAMI Park.
Storm coach Craig Bellamy moved Cameron Munster to fullback before kick-off, with Tyran Wishart and Jonah Pezet the starting halves.
Munster was in everything, while Pezet improved the longer the game went. Pezet and Munster were both set up for the field-goal when Grant convinced 13 Penrith players he was passing, only to jog over the line untouched.
What a brilliant finish to a brilliant game featuring two brilliant teams. They have been at the top of their game for so long, and both clubs will continue to be powerhouses. It’s little wonder players are happy to take a little less to join them.
After the match, Andrew Johns described it as the “match of the season.” That’s difficult to argue with.
Xavier Coates bagged a double, including a 65m intercept try. He provided another four-pointer for Joe Chan.
If Coates is on around $500,000, his next deal should be closer to $750,000 or $800,000, such is his constant threat in the air.
Even Marion Seve, complete with his new protective goggles, was able to dive over to level the scores and set up a thrilling final 13 minutes.
The 12,869 fans that turned up on a chilly Thursday night got their money’s worth at CommBank Stadium.
What about the ball being in play for almost 15 minutes to start the second half?
Penrith looked dangerous early when they went left through Blaize Talagi and McLean, and made easy metres when running the ball on the last down their right.
Isaiah Papali’i scored in the corner when he dived through three Storm defenders from dummy-half. It was a soft try in the end. Papali’i would have been relieved he got across the line, given Cleary was screaming for the ball.
The Storm hit back when they went the traditional aerial route with Coates, even though replays suggested Coates may have spilled the ball into Dylan Edwards before reclaiming it.
Players staying down for a penalty became a bit of a hot topic last week, but Ashley Klein was having none of it, ordering Tago and Liam Martin to get to their feet or ask a teammate to play the ball. The NRL advised officials to do just that heading into this weekend’s games.