Jahrome Hughes – Michmutters
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NRL news 2022: Penrith Panthers suffer rare defeat in heavyweight bout with Melbourne Storm

It was touted as a heavyweight bout between two sides who hate each other and it even featured some late biff in the Riff, but it was Melbourne who issued a Storm warning that should strike fear into the rest of the NRL.

It was less than a month ago that Craig Bellamy said he was unsure whether the Storm could turn things around to go on a famous premiership run after they’d just lost their fourth game on the trot.

But the legendary Storm coach might need to be a bit more arrogant after three-straight wins, including a statement victory over the defending premiers on Thursday night that has them primed for a top-four finish.

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“It was important for us because we’ve been hanging around the bottom of the top four,” Bellamy said.

“I thought that was our best performance for quite some time. That’s as well as we’ve defended for a year or two.”

The Storm were without halfback Jahrome Hughes (shoulder) but they smelled blood in the water and feasted on the makeshift Panthers spine in a performance reminiscent of years gone by when they were the NRL’s apex predators.

It was a night to remember for the small contingent of Storm fans at BlueBet Stadium, and it was Melbourne’s biggest human who stole the show with a brutal display in an unfamiliar role.

Nelson Asofa-Solomona was like a wrecking ball on the right, terrorizing Penrith’s edge defenders while at the same time blunting Viliame Kikau’s impact by simply clogging up gaps in the line.

The man mountain relished the extra room out wide with 62 meters, five tackle busts and three offloads in a barnstorming 37-minute stint as the visitors racked up an insurmountable 16-0 lead by halftime.

While he did plenty in attack, his most telling play was in defense when he somehow denied a rampaging Kikau over the line, which then led to David Nofoaluma’s first try in Storm colors from the ensuing set.

Injuries mount for mountain men

They’ve enjoyed one of the smoothest years imaginable, but things are starting to look a bit rough for the Panthers just a few weeks out from the finals.

The defending premiers were missing starting halves Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai as well as powerhouse prop James Fisher-Harris, while they were also dealt a massive blow before kick-off when courageous fullback Dylan Edwards was ruled out after he copped a battering in Canberra last week.

Things got worse on Thursday night with NSW representative Liam Martin rolling his left ankle so badly that he had to be helped from the field by two trainers and was on crutches in the dressing room.

Penrith’s depth is the envy of the league but even they can’t win the comp if they continue to rack up injuries every week, and Thursday’s performance will give their rivals hope that they are in fact fallible.

The mass changes took their toll with the Panthers producing their worst half of football at home since 2017.

They enjoyed the bulk of possession and territory after the break but couldn’t cross the stripe as they were held scoreless at home for the first time since 2015 against who else but the Storm.

“I thought there were some combination issues for us tonight,” Ivan Cleary said. “It was a good lesson for our younger guys.”

Precious Olam

Justin Olam has failed to match his dazzling form of 2021, but the center built of granite produced his best game of the season as a replenished Storm backline showed how potent it can be when the troops are back on deck.

The hitman produced two monstrous shots in defense that Jaeman Salmon and Brian To’o will be feeling for weeks, but it was his dazzling speed that caught the Panthers by surprise.

Olam scorched his way down the sideline to set up the returning Nick Meaney with a pinpoint chip kick and nearly produced an identical play for Cameron Munster to end the half.

oh so close

Waqa Blake produced the finish of the year last week but it would’ve been a short time at the top if Xavier Coates had been able to pull off the most miraculous grounding of all time.

The Storm winger’s body was in Melbourne yet he somehow managed to stretch his arm towards the line, only for the ball to come free an inch from the line after a big shot by Charlie Staines.

It wasn’t the only unique piece of play with Tui Kamikamica playing a big part in Brandon Smith’s try when he pushed ‘the Cheese’ into a hole before he sped straight past Staines.

—NCA NewsWire

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Cameron Munster at fullback, positional switch, Jahrome Hughes return, Melbourne Storm team, highlights

It was only a few weeks ago that Craig Bellamy made a stunning admission, telling reporters he was “not confident” Melbourne could turn a worrying form slump around.

The Storm had slumped to a fourth-straight loss for the first time in seven years and even Bellamy was unsure if this champion team had it in them to rise to the top again.

It was on the playing group to prove Bellamy wrong and while wins over the Warriors and Titans were certainly needed, Thursday night was their chance to make a statement.

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Sure, the Panthers were severely understrength but so were the Storm and yet a defensive masterclass paved the way for a 16-0 shutout victory over the defending premiers.

Now in a strong position to wrap up a spot in the top four, Melbourne is right back in the title picture and Bellamy has a secret weapon up his sleeve that keeps everyone guessing.

Even Cameron Smith was fooled on Thursday morning, questioning why playmaker Cameron Munster had been moved back to the halves after a starring game at fullback the week prior.

“I was a little bit surprised, I thought he may have kept him there,” Smith admitted on SEN 1170 Radio.

Storm sizzle poor Panthers | 02:01

Bellamy did keep Munster there, although it was not necessarily always going to be the plan as the Storm coach revealed in his post-game press conference on Thursday night.

“It worked pretty well last week as well,” Bellamy said.

“We weren’t quite sure earlier in the week on which way we were going to go. We trained both of them there. I think we will probably look at it on our opposition and what we think the best way to use Munster and the best way to use Nick and their strengths [is].

“I’m not quite sure we’ll actually stick with Munster at fullback all the time but we need to have a bit of a chat about that with the leaders, obviously our halves and see what the coaches think.”

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That in itself spells trouble for the rest of the competition.

It is already hard enough to defend Munster but not knowing where exactly he will be playing in the lead-up to a game makes that tougher, you only have to ask Ivan Cleary.

The Panthers coach was asked after Thursday’s defeat “what sort of threat” Munster posed at fullback, to which Cleary could only laugh.

“A lot,” he said.

“I don’t know whether fullback is much different. I suppose he doesn’t have all the defensive work to do. He’s just playing really well, definitely dangerous and he still seemed to come up with big plays when they needed it tonight. He’s definitely a threat.”

There was a similar response from Panthers great Greg Alexander, who was asked pre-game by Jess Yates which Melbourne player he was most worried about.

“Well, Cameron Munster, Cameron Munster and Cameron Munster,” Alexander replied.

That and “who ended up playing fullback”.

Unfortunately for Alexander and the Panthers, that also ended up being Munster and he backed up last week’s three-try effort against the Titans with another impressive display.

Munster ran for 142 meters at the back to go with five tackle busts two linebreak assists and also kicked for 537, filling the void left by halfback Jahrome Hughes.

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Cameron Munster starred at fullback. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

“It’s been handy this year,” Bellamy said of having the option of playing Munster at fullback.

“The last few months or so with Paps being out and Nick missing a week. He’s certainly a different character Munster but he’s a great guy to have around the club and obviously one hell of a player.

“We’re fairly lucky to have him. The other big thing about him is he’s such a competitor. He just competes in everything at training and in games. That’s what makes him what he is.”

Bellamy admitted there may have been a point earlier in Munster’s career where he may have wanted a greater say in what position he played.

But this is a more mature Munster, one who is “just happy to play a role that’s best for the team”.

‘Ludicrous’ – Brandy hits back | 01:49

“Earlier in his career he’d probably have a say or opinion on it,” Bellamy said.

“But I think now, and I haven’t actually spoke to him too closely about it, he just usually says wherever you think I fit best in the team, I’m going to do that.

“Wherever the team needs him, he’s quite happy to do that. I think he really enjoys playing fullback because it gives him a little bit more freedom but he’s just happy to play a role that’s best for the team. It just shows how much he’s matured.”

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Casualty Ward, Round 22, injuries, ins and outs, return dates, Liam Martin, Penrith Panthers

The Panthers have suffered yet another injury blow to their already-depleted stocks, with Liam Martin rolling his ankle in Thursday night’s clash with the Storm.

Martin suffered the injury in the second half and hobbled from the field in clear pain, supported by two trainers.

The 25-year-old Blues star later hobbled to the bench using crutches, and was seen with ice wrapped around his ankle.

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INJURED IN ROUND 22

Liam Martin (ankle) – TBC

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Liam Martin copped a painful ankle injury in another blow to the Panthers.Source: FOX SPORTS

FULL CASUALTY WARD

BRONCOS

Jordan Pereira (illness) – TBC

Albert Kelly (foot) – Round 22

TC Robati (arm) – Round 22

Herbie Farnworth (biceps) – indefinite

Patrick Carrigan (suspension) – Round 25

raiders

Ryan Sutton (head knock) – Round 22

Xavier Savage (ankle) – Round 22

Joseph Tapine (ribs) – Round 23

Nick Cotric (suspended) – Round 23

Harry Rushton (jaw) – Round 25

Jarrod Croker (shoulder) – season

Josh Hodgson (knee) – season

Harley Smith-Shields (knee) – season

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BULLDOGS

Paul Alamoti (cheekbone) – Round 22

Ava Seumanufagai (calf) – Round 22

Tevita Pangai Jnr (personal reasons) – Round 23

Corey Waddell (suspension) – Round 25

Corey Allan (groin) – Round 25

Reece Hoffman (hand) – Round 25

Luke Thompson (concussion) – indefinite

Jack Hetherington (shoulder) – season

Billy Tsikrikas (knee) – season

SHARKS

Royce Hunt (shoulder) – Round 22

Connor Tracey (head knock) – Round 23

Matt Moylan (quad) – Round 23

Sione Katoa (pectoral) – season

Jack Williams (shoulder) – season

TITANS

Joe Vuna (knee) – indefinite

Shallin Fuller (leg) – season

Aaron Booth (knee) – season

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BE EAGLES

Josh Aloiai (knee) – Round 22

Kieran Foran (hamstring) – Round 22

Taniela Paseka (knee) – Round 23

Sean Keppie (shoulder) – TBC

Tom Trbojevic (shoulder) – season

Karl Lawton (knee) – season

STORM

Nick Meaney (shoulder) – Round 22

Justin Olam (Covid) – Round 22

Jahrome Hughes (shoulder) – Round 23-24

Felise Kaufusi (personal reasons) – TBC

Tepai Moeroa (shoulder) – Round 23

Trent Loiero (back) – indefinite

Ryan Papenhuyzen (knee) – season

Reimis Smith (pectoral) – season

Christian Welch (Achilles) – season

George Jennings (knee) – season

KNIGHTS

Jake Clifford (arm) – TBC

Mitch Barnett (thumb) – TBC

Edrick Lee (foot) – TBC

Hymel Hunt (abductor) – TBC

Lachlan Fitzgibbon (shoulder) – TBC

Kurt Mann (quad) – Round 22

Chris Vea’ila (leg) – indefinite

Kalyn Ponga (concussion) – indefinite

Bailey Hodgson (elbow) – season

Dylan Lucas (pectoral) – season

COWBOYS

Jordan McLean (hamstring) – Round 22

Kyle Feldt (hamstring) – Round 23

Mitch Dunn (knee) – season

Heilum Luki (knee) – season

EELS

Bailey Simonsson (hamstring) – Round 22

Mitchell Moses (finger) – Round 24-25

Nathan Brown (finger) – TBC

Haze Dunster (knee) – season

Ray Stone (knee) – season

PANTHERS

Taylan May (shoulder) – Round 23-24

James Fisher-Harris (suspended) – Round 24

Jarome Luai (knee) – finals

Nathan Cleary (suspension) – finals

Liam Martin (ankle) – TBC

Do Panthers deserve ‘arrogant’ tag? | 03:03

RABBITOHS

Peter Mamouzelos (wrist) – Round 22

Hame Sele (hamstring) – Round 22

Thomas Burgess (groin) – Round 23

Campbell Graham (cheekbone) – Round 23

Jed Cartwright (hamstring) – Round 23

Kodi Nikorima (hamstring) – Round 24

Michael Chee Kam (thumb) – Round 25

Liam Knight (knee) – season

Jacob Host (shoulder) – season

dragons

Cody Ramsey (knee) – Round 22-23

Jayden Sullivan (shoulder) – Round 23

Mikaele Ravalawa (hamstring) – finals

Moses Suli (ankle) – finals

Tariq Sims (suspended) – finals

ROOSTERS

Sam Verrills (head knock) – Round 22

Egan Butcher (suspended) – Round 22

Lindsay Collins (concussion) – Round 23

Siosiua Taukeiaho (cheekbone) – Round 23

Billy Smith (knee) – season

Sitili Tupouniua (knee) – season

WARRIORS

Aaron Pene (leg) – Round 23

Jesse Arthars (quad) – Round 23

Chanel Harris-Tavita (knee) – Round 23

Ben Murdoch-Masila (elbow) – Round 24-25

Jazz Tevaga (shoulder) – season

Ronald Volkman (shoulder) – season

TIGERS

Luke Garner (neck) – Round 22-23

Tommy Talau (knee) – Round 24-25

Stefano Utoikamanu (wrist) – Round 24-25

Luke Brooks (calf) – Round 25

Jackson Hastings (ankle) – season

Alex Twal (concussion) – season

Shawn Blore (ACL) – season

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Penrith Panthers v Melbourne Storm, rivalry, round 22, hubris, Ivan Cleary, Matt Tripp, Greg Alexander, Cameron Smith

The most explosive clash of the NRL season is set to unfold when Penrith host Melbourne on Thursday night in the wake of a bitter war of words between the clubs.

They’re the two most successful teams, alongside the Roosters, of the past five years and will meet in a highly-anticipated top-four showdown.

The Storm and Panthers have ended each other’s campaigns in arguably the two best games of the past two seasons.

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Melbourne won the premiership after Penrith finished on top of the ladder in 2020 and then those roles were reversed last year.

The rivalry between the past two premiers is the fiercest in the game right now.

Panthers players were outraged by Instagram videos after the 2020 grand finale and they got their revenge by knocking the Storm out in an epic preliminary final last year.

“They don’t like each other,” The Australian’s Brent Read said on NRL360 on Wednesday about the rivalry

“It’s been evident for a while that these teams dislike each other but it’s gone up a notch this week.”

Both teams will be missing key cavalry for the blockbuster at BlueBet Stadium but tensions will still be sky high with plenty on the line for both teams in the run to the finals.

The Panthers were superb last week against the Canberra Raiders without the State of Origin halves pairing of Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai, but things get even tougher with James Fisher-Harris now suspended.

The latest chapter in the clubs’ fierce rivalry is now set to be written after Panthers great Greg Alexander and Storm legend Cameron Smith traded barbs throughout the week.

The Panthers and Storm have built quite the rivalry. Greg Alexander (left) and Cameron Smith (right). GettySource: FOX SPORTS

That stoush over who is responsible for an influx of dangerous tackles in the game quickly escalated.

“I thought it was just a general consensus that over the last 20 years that all the tackles, the wrestling techniques had come out of Melbourne,” Alexanders said after Smith blew up at his initial accusation.

The exchange between Alexander and Smith prompted a stunning outburst from Melbourne’s chairman and owner Matt Tripp.

Tripp blasted Penrith deputy chairman Alexander’s comments as “stupid” and accused the reigning premiers of arrogance.

“Absolutely unfair,” Clearly said of Tripp’s comments.

“I’m not here to judge anyone else. But I know that Brandy (Alexander) is an outstanding commentator and a decorated figure in the game. If anyone’s able to have an opinion it’s Brandy.

“Most of his opinions are spot on. But that was his opinion of him in a completely different role. So, I don’t think it’s fair for everyone else at our club to be labeled what we were, but these things happen sometimes.”

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Following Tripp’s blow-up, the Storm were then accused of having a “chip on their shoulder” by the NRL 360 panel who also believe the Panthers will use Tripp’s comments as motivation.

“There’s going to be plenty of spice, it’s going to be a great game,” Paul Crawley said.

“The Storm are in a bit of strife on the field and they really have to show some signs of fighting back and I just can’t see how they’re going to do that against the Panthers.”

“What I’m fascinated with is the chairman versus the deputy chairman, Tripp versus Alexander,” Paul Kent said.

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“Some of the things that Tripp said about Penrith, he said the club was arrogant, he turned from criticism of Greg Alexander into criticism of the club.

“And I’ll tell you one thing about Penrith, when you criticize them, they respond to it and they’re very good at coming out and saying ‘is this what you think about us, well we’ll show you what we think about you’ and they deliver.”

Brent Read believes Alexander may have tactically brought up the tackling argument ahead of the clash.

“At this time of year, this invariably raises its head, you point the finger at Melbourne and say they invented the wrestle and it’s just an easy argument,” Read said.

“I’m it doesn’t hurt Penrith (this week).”

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Read also defended any perceived arrogance from Penrith players during matches.

“On the field they play with swagger. They play with a bit of arrogance. You have got to have that to be successful.”

Braith Anasta agreed that arrogance can be a powerful tool for a sporting team when used correctly.

“In any sport you have got to have confidence,” Anasta said.

Some people think they cross the line a little bit but you need confidence. You need a little bit of arrogance. You need to go out there thinking, I’ve got you covered.”

Storm star Jahrome Hughes apologized earlier this season after being named as the main culprit in 2020 grand final celebration footage mocking Panthers players’ Mt Druit roots.

Panthers center Stephen Crichton revealed the footage was used as motivation, sparking their stunning 2021 preliminary final win over Melbourne.

To motivate his players prior to the 2021 preliminary final, assistant coach Cameron Ciraldo saved the clip.

Ciraldo told his players in the lead-up to the Panthers’ huge 10-6 win they needed to “protect where you come from”.

– with Martin Gabor

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