Finals Grand Final teams confirmed as Panthers gun cleared to return: Late Mail
The Panthers have confirmed backrower Scott Sorensen will return for the grand final at the likely expense of Matt Eisenhuth.
Eisenhuth, 32, is the only Panthers player without a premiership ring of those who have been in the squad for the past four seasons.
Sorensen hasn’t played since injury his hamstring in the final round of the regular season four weeks ago.
“He’ll (Sorensen) be playing tomorrow,’’ Penrith coach Ivan Cleary said on Saturday.
“Yeah it’s awesome. Sorro’s been a big part of our team the last three years. He’s a real soldier in our team. He’s like an old man out there as well, a bit of experience and all-round good guy.
“Everyone was pretty bummed when he got injured a few weeks ago and it looked like that was the end of him this year and he was really devastated.
“For him to work so hard and get back and for him to be able to make a contribution tomorrow, it’s really good.’’
Melbourne Storm vs Penrith Panthers, Accor Stadium at 7:30pm AEST
Storm team: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. William Warbrick 3. Jack Howarth 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Christian Welch 16. Lazarus Vaalepu 17. Alec MacDonald 18. Grant Anderson
Players cut: 20. Kane Bradley 21. Tepai Moeroa 22. Sualauvi Faalogo 19. Joe Chan
Late Mail: Tui Kamikamica has been named to slot into the front row in the absence of Nelson Asofa-Solomona after his failed bid to have a high tackle charge downgraded. Lazarus Vaalepu, who was born in Penrith, has been called upon for only his eighth NRL game, having made his debut in Round 20 against the Roosters. However, Craig Bellamy revealed
Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 19. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Brad Schneider 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Liam Henry 11. Luke Garner 18th man: 17. Matt Eisenhuth
Players cut: 18. Casey McLean 20. Trent Toelau 22. Luke Sommerton Daine Laurie
Late Mail: Scott Sorensen has been named in the starting side to take on the Storm. Matt Eisenhuth is the man to make way with Luke Garner shifting to the pine. Star halfback Nathan Cleary aggravated an existing shoulder injury last week and left the field in the final six minutes but he’ll play on Sunday, with Schneider on the bench as his cover.
Referee: Ashley Klein
Review Official: Grant Atkins
Touch Judges: David Munro and Chris Sutton
Standby Referee: Gerard Sutton
Standby Touch Judge: Phil Henderson