Penrith Panthers (1st) vs Melbourne Storm (2nd) – Sunday night (6.30pm) – ANZ Stadium

Penrith Panthers

1. Dylan Edwards
2. Josh Mansour
3. Stephen Crichton
4. Tyrone May
5. Brian To'o
6. Jarome Luai
7. Nathan Cleary
8. James Tamou (c)
9. Apisai Koroisau
10. James Fisher-Harris
11. Vilame Kikau
12. Liam Martin
13. Isaah Yeo
14. Brent Naden
15. Zane Tetevano
16. Moses Leota
17. Kurt Capewell

Melbourne Storm

1. Ryan Papenhuyzen
2. Suliasi Vunivalu
3. Brenko Lee
4. Justin Olam
5. Josh Addo-Carr
6. Cameron Munster
7. Jahrome Hughes
8. Jesse Bromwich
9. Cameron Smith (c)
10. Christian Welch
11. Felise Kaufusi
12. Kenny Bromwich
13. Nelson Asofa-Solomona
14. Brandon Smith
15. Tino Faasuamaleaui
16. Nicho Hynes
17. Dale Finucane

* note that team line-ups are subject to change and will be updated as soon as possible

First plays second, and we can safely say these two sides have been the most consistent sides this season. In the finals series the Storm have beaten the Eels by 12 and the Raiders by 20, while the Panthers have beaten the Roosters by 1 and the Rabbitohs by 4. The Storm have clearly been more impressive throughout the finals series, but the Panthers may have forgotten how to lose. This, however, is their sternest test, against a team who have won 18 of the last 21 contests between these sides. Notably, the Panthers did win their only meeting this season, and recent form counts more than recent history. In round six the Panthers won 21-14 at Campbelltown, but the Storm were missing Hughes and Addo-Carr on that occasion (and the block of cheese famously started at prop). The Panthers won that game, and they've won every game since then, but can they win the game that matters most? They're young, they're free of injury, and they're full of confidence. If things go their way they can clearly win this, but there are a few key areas where they can be picked apart, and no team picks apart an opponents weaknesses like the Melbourne Storm. Last week the Rabbitohs gave their all under difficult circumstances. They scored all three of their tries on the left edge, and the Panthers right edge defence has long been their weakest. Clearly replaced Naden with Tyrone May at right centre to try and address that weakness, but they still conceded three tries on that edge. If the Bunnies left winger had two legs they could have scored at least two more down that left edge. He still scored one...with one good leg. Naden comes back into the first thirteen for the grand final, but that right edge defence can be targeted. Does the Storm have the attacking artillery on their left edge to target and break down the Panthers right edge defence? Well...their left edge attack is Munster, Hughes, Olam, Kenny Bromwich, Addo-Carr and Papenhuyzen. They can attack that edge through the hands. They can attack that edge with speed. They can attack that edge with a kicking game. The Storm will hit them with all three. The other issue could be on the right flank, where Vunivali has a 12cm height advantage over Josh Mansour. And it's not just the 12cm, as Vunivali has a vertical leap that puts him high above his opponent. It's another potential avenue to the tryline for the Storm. So a few issues for the Panthers to manage there. Beyond all that, it's looking likely that the Storm captain is playing his last game on Sunday night. They looked ominous against the Raiders, virtually icing the game in the first ten minutes. They had enough in hand to take their foot off the pedal at the end of that game, and they've had an extra day since then to prepare for the grand final. Cameron Smith, like him or otherwise, retires with a premiership. I'm declaring them.

Verdict – Storm by 10

Clive Churchill medalist – Ryan Papenhuyzen

Result – Storm 26 defeated Panthers 20

Wally Lewis - Grand Final selection (in bold)

Note: tips from Wally will be published on Wednesday night or Thursday morning

• Panthers vs STORM