NRL 2024 Grand Final teams: Cleary named, Storm call up Vaalepu

The Melbourne Storm have called up Lazarus Vaalepu to face the Penrith Panthers in the 2024 NRL Grand Final at Sydney’s Accor Stadium this Sunday.

Vaalepu — with just seven games of first-grade footy under his belt — comes onto the bench, with Tui Kamikamica moving into the starting side in place of suspended forward Nelson Asofa-Solomona.

Grant Anderson is 18th man for the Storm, with Kane Bradley, Joe Chan, Sualauvi Faalago and Tepai Moeroa filling out the reserves.

Meanwhile, the Panthers have named Nathan Cleary to start at halfback despite ongoing concerns about his injured shoulder.

Brad Schneider is listed on the interchange as cover, while second-rower Scott Sorensen is among the reserves again after missing Penrith’s previous two finals due to a hamstring issue.

Casey McLean is first emergency for the Panthers, with Daine Laurie, Luke Sommerton and Trent Toelau also on standby.

Melbourne Storm team list – NRL 2024 Grand Final

Melbourne Storm

1. Ryan Papenhuyzen
2. Will 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
19. Joe Chan
20. Kane Bradley
21. Tepai Moeroa
22. Sualauvi Faalago

Out: Nelson Asofa-Solomona
In: Lazarus Vaalepu, Kane Bradley, Joe Chan, Sualauvi Faalago, Tepai Moeroa

Penrith Panthers team list – NRL 2024 Grand Final

Penrith Panthers

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
11. Liam Garner
12. Liam Martin
13. Isaah Yeo
14. Brad Schneider
15. Lindsay Smith
16. Liam Henry
17. Matt Eisenhuth
18. Casey McLean
19. Scott Sorensen
20. Trent Toelau
21. Daine Laurie
22. Luke Sommerton

Out: None
In: Daine Laurie, Luke Sommerton, Scott Sorensen, Trent Toelau

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