Storm finals hopes end as Penrith survives despite three sin‑bins
Topic:NRL
To'o scored three tries in the first half in Melbourne. (Getty Images: Daniel Pockett)
The Penrith Panthers kept Melbourne Storm from winning, finishing 22-14 and ending the Storm's small chance of making the finals.
Penrith led 22-0 thanks to a To'o hat‑trick and a try by Liam Henry, then did not score after the half hour mark.
Back‑rower Liam Martin was sent off for a foul just before half‑time and Lindsay Smith left the field soon after the break for repeated ruck offences.
Melbourne scored while Penrith had 11 players when Tyran Wishart broke through the defence, and Jack Howarth passed to Izack Tago for a try after Smith returned.
Jack Cogger also went to the sin‑bin after hitting Wishart high, joining Storm player Oryn Keeley who was sin‑binned earlier, leading to a try by Siulagi Tuimalatu‑Brown on the wing.
Poor kicking by Nick Meaney and some missed attacks kept the Storm from getting close, ending their finals hopes for the first time since 2010 when they were penalised for salary‑cap breaches.
Before that, the Storm had not missed the finals since 2002, before Craig Bellamy became coach.
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By Jon Healy
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By Jon Healy
Like the Melbourne Storm's finals hopes, this blog is over.
Congratulations to the Penrith Panthers, who after two losses, are back on top of the ladder, for now.
We'll be back tomorrow night. We'll see you soon.
By Jon Healy
Craig Bellamy feels odd in late August not planning a finals run but still congratulates the Panthers for ending the Storm's chances.
Their hopes were gone a minute ago, to be honest.
By Jon Healy
Melbourne will not play finals and will finish the season on the road, with utility player Tyran Wishart playing his last game at AAMI Park.
He is moving to the Perth Bears next season and says his feelings are mixed tonight.
"I feel a few things, honestly. I'm disappointed we didn't win. We fought hard in the second half, which is good, but the first half was terrible and it's hard to win when you give the other team a big lead."
"It would have been nice to finish better, which is disappointing but we can't change it now."
"This club is amazing. They've done so much for me and it holds a special place in my heart."
By Jon Healy
Melbourne had a tough year with injuries to Katoa, Coates, Kamikamica and many others, often missing most of the forward pack. Katoa's serious injury and Bellamy's health issues weigh heavily. Sua Faalogo has been a bright spot this season.
- Kirsten
You're absolutely right, Kirsten.
And don't forget the off‑season retirement of Ryan Papenhuyzen.
Key Event
By Jon Healy
The Penrith Panthers held on to beat the Melbourne Storm 22-14 and end their small chance of making the finals.
2026 will be the first time since 2010, when they played for no points due to salary‑cap breaches, that the Storm miss the playoffs.
It was a strange night with bad weather and four sin‑bins, reflecting both teams' seasons honestly.
The Storm looked out of shape in attack as they have all year, while the Panthers showed their strength at times but could not keep it up fully.
By Jon Healy
Cameron Munster's chip kick was stopped by the Panthers, ending the Storm's slim chance of winning and reaching the finals.
By Jon Healy
Melbourne's attack looked slow and sloppy with only 13 men tonight.
The kicking was poor, and Wishart made a grubber kick that went straight to Casey McLean at the end.
By Jon Healy
Nick Meaney couldn't handle a Cooper Clarke offload on the fourth, and Dylan Edwards gave him a pass. Meaney got up and confronted him, leading to a push‑shove but no penalty. Good call from referee Grant Atkins.
By Jon Healy
Lindsay Smith jumped high and Nick Meaney added extra pressure, causing a penalty that was quickly blown.
By Jon Healy
The Panthers wanted Josh King penalised for a hip drop, but he stayed on his feet.
It was awkward but not a hip drop.
Key Event
By Jon Healy
Quick ball to the right and Siulagi Tuimalata‑Brown scores!
He just manages to keep his knee up long enough to ground the ball.
Nick Meaney kicks another conversion and the gap stays at eight points, when it could have been four!
By Jon Healy
Jack Cogger rushes and hits Tyran Wishart high.
He goes to the sin‑bin, becoming the fourth player sent off and the third Panther today.
By Jon Healy
Melbourne's dummy‑half pass hits the ground, but they almost create an overlap, stopped only by Brian To'o knocking down Jack Howarth's pass.
Maybe having one or two players in the bin is already taking a toll. It will affect the game later, so don't count the Storm out yet.
Key Event
By Jon Healy
The Storm look scattered on the right, with Harry Grant handling the ball three times as they pass it all over.
They are tackled near the 10‑metre line on the right wing, giving them space to move left. The Panthers line up, but Jack Howarth, not known for speed, passes to Izack Tago who bumps off Dylan Edwards for a try.
That's an embarrassing moment for Tago and keeps Melbourne in the game.
By Jon Healy
The Storm keep attacking the Panthers' try line but the Panthers keep defending shot after shot.
They have held firm long enough to return to 13‑vs‑13 as Lindsay Smith comes back from the sin‑bin.
By Jon Healy
Sua Fa'alogo breaks through the left defence and runs forward, leaving the Panthers' defence in trouble.
The Storm spin right, but too slowly, and Jack Cogger rushes to force an error from Harry Grant.
Grant tried for a six again, but Cogger's tackle hit the ball before Grant released it, causing a knock‑on by the Melbourne hooker.
By Jon Healy
The Storm are running out of time with 11 men and will miss the last set of possession as Liam Martin is in the bin after Oryn Keeley knocks on the ball.
By Jon Healy
Overlaps aren't the only way to use the extra numbers, as Tyran Wishart beats Jack Cogger, fakes a pass right, then steps and jukes his way to the try line under the posts.
The Storm are on the board and will have a few more minutes with 11 men, then a few more with 12.
Key Event
By Jon Healy
Penrith concedes four six‑again penalties inside their 20‑metre area and Lindsay Smith is sent to the bin to join Liam Martin.
Surely the Storm can use this 13‑11 advantage well.
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