Penrith coach confirms return of big gun for Storm showdown

Penrith’s coach Ivan Cleary has confirmed the return of star five-eighth Jarome Luai ahead of Friday’s preliminary final against Melbourne Storm at Accor Stadium.

The Panthers will also be boosted by the inclusion of Izack Tago after he suffered a pec strain, while halfback Nathan Cleary will play after undergoing a scan on an injured finger.

The positive vibes at the selection table have seen the Panthers’ odds come into $1.19, while the Storm are as long as $4.75 with NRL betting sites.

Also read: Panthers vs Storm betting tips

Luai, who dislocated a shoulder four weeks ago, is set to be a crucial player for the Panthers despite being expected to be targeted “a fair bit” in defence.

The initial injury raised concerns about Luai’s participation in the finals. However, subsequent scans offered a positive outlook, paving the way for what Cleary referred to as a “miracle recovery”.

“Pretty much from the day it happened, it was all going to come down to the scans the next day,” Ivan Cleary said.

As the Panthers aim for their fourth grand final in consecutive years, coach Cleary remains cautious but hopeful, especially given the history of the Storm’s tactical plays. Reflecting on a past incident involving Cooper Cronk in 2018, Cleary anticipates similar strategies from the Storm. When asked about the anticipated targeting of Luai, Cleary said, “He’s a big boy so he’ll be all right.”

Despite the upbeat outlook, Cleary acknowledged the prowess of the Melbourne Storm, expressing immense respect for the team, their coach Craig Bellamy, and their consistent performances over the years.

“Melbourne are just so good,” Cleary said.

“They’ve been an inspiration for our club. They just keep on keeping on, and they’re there again.”

The Storm won their semi-final 18-13 against the Sydney Roosters to earn their crack at the Panthers.

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