Panthers to defend crown against Storm in 2024 NRL season decider

The Penrith Panthers will defend their crown when they take on the Melbourne Storm in this weekend’s 2024 NRL grand final.

The Panthers scored a 26-6 win over Cronulla on Saturday and will have home ground advantage with the big game to be played at Sydney Olympic Park this Sunday.

Last Friday, the Storm defeated the Roosters 48-18 in their preliminary final clash and are preparing to fight for their player, Nelson Asofa-Solomona who faces the judiciary tonight to contest a high tackle charge.

The enforcer was charged for a careless high tackle on Roosters forward Lindsay Collins; an early guilty plea would see Asofa-Solomona banned for four games including this weekend’s grand final and the upcoming Pacific Championships tournament.

Melbourne will fight to have the charge dismissed or downgraded and the player will appear in person at the hearing, the club confirmed.

Meanwhile, Sharks forward Toby Rudolf is set to miss the 2025 season opener in Las Vegas after he was charged for tripping Panthers captain Isaah Yeo on Saturday.

He was charged with dangerous contact and faces a one-match ban with an early guilty plea or two-match ban if he unsuccessfully challenges.

With Cronulla’s season over after their 26-6 loss to Penrith, the next match for Rudolf to serve the suspension will be in the opening round of next year’s premiership, which kicks off at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on March 1.

The Sharks are due to face the Panthers in Las Vegas while the Raiders play the Warriors as part of a quadruple header.

Other games feature a women’s Test between Australia and England and a clash between UK Super League giants Wigan and Warrington.