With a lot at stake for both sides, the Melbourne Storm will host the Penrith Panthers at AAMI Park on Thursday night. 

The Storm are coming off a bye, with their most recent outing a 42-20 victory over the Sea Eagles in Perth. 

Melbourne are four points behind the eighth-placed Cowboys entering the Round 25, with a loss officially ruling them out of finals for the first time since 2002, excluding 2010. 

Meanwhile, the Panthers surrendered top spot after falling 12-6 to the now-ladder-leading Roosters last Thursday. The result marked their fifth loss in eight matches at a crucial stage of the season. 

Melbourne regains captain Harry Grant, while Jack Howarth makes his return in the centres and Alec MacDonald is back on the interchange. 

For Penrith, Casey McLean returns, although Paul Alamoti is out with a hamstring injury. The Panthers demolished the Storm 50-10 when these sides met in the early rounds of this season, but a lot has changed since then.

For the latest team news, analysis, and expert insights ahead of this NRL Round 25 opener, check out our Storm vs Panthers tips and predictions below!

Storm vs Panthers Prediction and Betting Tips 

Head-to-Head Prediction 

NRL Round 25 opens with a match that would have once been worthy of headline billing, but the Storm’s slump this season has bumped this clash with the Panthers down to a B tier listing. 

Sitting in 11th, the Storm’s season is all but over, unless a mathematical miracle befalls them. 

As for Penrith, they slid down to second for the first time in a while, after losing to the Roosters in last week’s top of the table tussle. 

If they want to stay in the race for the minor premiership, they’ll need to shoot down the Storm and after putting 50 on them earlier this season, they’ll no doubt fancy their chances against their once fearsome premiership rivals. 

Somewhat surprisingly, despite their recent downturn and 50-point shellacking earlier this season, Melbourne actually have the upper hand in the last five meetings between these sides. 

They’ve won two of their last three against the Panthers and have also won each of their last 14 matches at AAMI Park after a bye.

Despite all this, we’ll be picking the Panthers, as the Storm are set to be without main man Jahrome Hughes who is still sidelined with injury. 

Betting tip: Penrith Panthers. 

First Try Scorer Prediction 

This would be some way to mark your return. After sitting out the last three weeks with a hand injury, Kiwi and NSW strike centre Casey McLean has been named to return against the Storm. 

Straight out of the infirmary and across the try line? It’s not as farfetched as you might think. McLean loves facing the Storm and has scored a try in three of his four previous appearances against Melbourne.

Betting tip: Casey McLean.

Over/Under Prediction 

Each of Penrith's last nine interstate matches have gone under the total match points line.

Betting tip: Under (42.5) total match points. 

Line Prediction

Penrith has failed to cover the line in each of their last eight Thursday matches as a favourite.

Betting tip: Storm (+7.5) line. 

Storm vs Panthers Anytime Try Scorer Betting Tips 

Moses Leo

Moses Leo has scored at least one try in each of his last five home appearances.

Nathan Cleary

Nathan Cleary has scored a try in each of Penrith's last two matches against Melbourne.

Sualauvi Fa'alogo

Sualauvi Fa'alogo has scored a try in each of Melbourne's last three matches.

Stefano Utoikamanu

Stefano Utoikamanu has scored a try in each of Melbourne's last two matches against opponents that were ranked in the top four.

Storm vs Panthers Teams 

Melbourne Storm Team List 

1. Sua Fa’alogo

2. Suilagi Tuimalatu-Brown

3. Jack Howarth

4. Nick Meaney

5. Moses Leo

6. Cameron Munster

7. Trent Toelau

8. Stefano Utoikamanu 

9. Harry Grant (c)

10. Josh King

11. Shawn Blore

12. Oryn Keeley

13. Trent Loiero

14. Tyran Wishart

15. Alec MacDonald

16. Angus Hinchey

17. Cooper Clark

18. Joe Chan

19. Manaia Waitere

Penrith Panthers Team List 

1. Dylan Edwards

2. Thomas Jenkins

3. Izack Tago

4. Casey McLean

5. Brian To'o

6. Jack Cogger

7. Nathan Cleary (c)

8. Moses Leota  

9. Freddy Lussick

10. Liam Henry

11. Isaiah Papali'i

12. Liam Martin

13. Lindsay Smith

14. Billy Scott

15. Scott Sorensen

16. Luron Patea

17. Billy Phillips

18. Jack Cole

19. Blaize Talagi

Storm vs Panthers Match Details 

Date: Thursday, August 20, 2026. 

Kick-off: 7:50pm AEST. 

Location: AAMI Park, Melbourne.