Panthers coach Ivan Cleary has continued to heap reward on the Storm forward of their Friday night time showdown on the foot of the mountains that might have main top-two implications.
The golf equipment have mixed to win the previous three premierships, with Melbourne getting the higher of Penrith within the 2020 decider earlier than the Panthers rebounded to assert the subsequent two titles.
Cleary tipped his hat to the Storm after Saturday’s 28-0 win over the Sharks and doubled down when requested about his southern rivals at Monday’s press convention.
Watch each recreation of each spherical of the 2023 NRL Telstra Premiership Season LIVE on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
“The Storm have basically been the benchmark or there or thereabouts for near on 20 years. This year is no different,” he stated.
“There have been some other sides that have been up the top throughout that period, but the Storm have always been in and around that. We always look forward to the challenge, and it’s the same thing this week.
“We’re going all right, but they’ve been doing it a lot longer than we have.”
The Panthers beat the Storm just some weeks in the past in Melbourne, nevertheless it was a special story once they met in western Sydney 12 months in the past, with the guests coming away with a 16-0 victory.
That end result counted for little because the Panthers romped house to win the grand ultimate, they usually’ve maintained that type for a lot of 2023 whereas the Storm hasn’t been as constant.
Despite the fluctuations in type, the Storm remains to be within the high 4 and coming off a giant win over the Eels that has Cleary on excessive alert.
“There have probably been some questions about them this year, but like a typical great club, every time there is, they put on a great display which they did last week,” he stated.
“I’m assuming they’ll be looking forward to doing something similar this week, so we’re going to have to be at our best.
“They’ve had a lot of great players at that club, but they’ve had plenty go as well. They just seem to be able to keep producing them and producing teams that are so competitive.
“They’ve lost a lot of players this year, yet there they are still in the top four.”
Cleary is hoping to have Izack Tago again on deck this week after he destroyed the Storm at Marvel Stadium, however he stated the subsequent 24 hours would decide whether or not he was cleared to play.
There is much less doubt over fullback Dylan Edwards, who rolled an ankle within the win over Cronulla however is anticipated to play on Friday.
There’s even much less doubt over his future, with the membership assured of locking in a prolonged extension simply days after it re-signed back-rower Liam Martin.
“It’d be preferable to not be talking about contracts in finals, but it’s just the way that our system works. But there’s no real drama there,” Cleary stated.
“It just depends on the player and the agent sometimes. We’re pretty cool with that one and we’re confident we’ll get that one done.”
Source web site: www.foxsports.com.au
