Panthers snare grand final berth in a classic

The Panthers have earned their shot at redemption for last year’s grand final heartbreak, edging the Storm in an engrossing 10-6 win to book a spot in the decider against the Rabbitohs.

Next Sunday will see the Panthers shoot for their first premiership since downing the Roosters in the 2003 grand final, after a typically resolute defensive performance held the Storm to their lowest score of the season.

A converted Ryan Papenhuyzen try, which came off a ricocheting Cameron Munster grubber, saw Melbourne claw the deficit back to 10-6 in the 63rd minute.

But Craig Bellamy’s men, missing co-captain Christian Welch and gun hooker Brandon Smith due to failed head injury assessments early in the game, were unable to complete a comeback win.

Penrith grabbed the opening points of the game through a Stephen Crichton try in just the fourth minute, after a pinpoint Nathan Cleary kick set up the electric centre untouched on the right wing.

The Panthers’ only other try came through star winger Brian To’o just two minutes into the second half, when the NSW Blues weapon iced a sweeping passage of passes on the left edge.

In a match in which two players failed a HIA, several others finished the game injured and the two sides played every minute of the contest at a frenetic and bruising intensity, the Panthers’ win ensured the Storm would fall short of a grand final appearance for just the second time in the last six years.