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Date: May 03 2012
Centrebet Stadium, Saturday 7.30pm (AEST)
Last meeting: Round 22 2011 - Storm 26 bt Panthers 6 at AAMI Park
Head-to-head: Panthers 6 Storm 17
Referees: Steve Lyons, Henry Perenara
TV: Live, FoxSports 2
TAB Sportsbet: Panthers $5.25 Storm $1.17
FootyTab: Panthers +10.5
Greg Prichard writes: Playing at home is highly unlikely to save the Panthers from a loss here, and if they defend like they did against less dynamic sides than the Storm recently they could be in for a hiding if the Storm are in the mood to cut loose. The Panthers have won two out of eight. The Storm remain unbeaten, and are scoring at an average of 30.25 points per game. They are also the competition's leading defensive team.
AAP writes: Penrith are fast becoming Parramatta's biggest rival for the wooden spoon. In their past three games they've been outscored 94-14 and haven't been in any of those contests. Does anyone give them a hope of finding form against the undefeated Melbourne Storm? The rest of the competition are waiting for the Storm to show any sign of weakness, but it hasn't materialised yet. The Warriors, their bogey team, seemingly pushed the Storm to the limit on Anzac Day - before Craig Bellamy's men flicked on the afterburners and ran in three tries in the final 11 minutes. They're a hard team to beat.
Key: Penrith have battled to score points in a big way. With halfback Luke Walsh (knee) sidelined, they'll rely even more heavily on centre Michael Jennings and fullback Lachlan Coote to contribute.
PANTHERS: Lachlan Coote, David Simmons, Michael Jennings, Geoff Daniela, Brad Tighe, Blake Austin, Luke Walsh, Sam Mckendry, Travis Burns, Tim Grant, Cameron Ciraldo,Danny Galea,Luke Lewis (c). Interchange: Ryan Simpkins, Dayne Weston, Clint Newton, Matt Robinson, Chris Armit
STORM: Billy Slater, Matt Duffie, Dane Nielsen, Will Chambers, Justin O'Neill, Gareth Widdop, Cooper Cronk, Jesse Bromwich, Cameron Smith (c), Bryan Norrie, Kevin Proctor, Ryan Hoffman, Todd Lowrie. Interchange (from): Ryan Hinchcliffe, Rory Kostjasyn, Siosaia Vave, Jason Ryles, Anthony Quinn, Jaiman Lowe.
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