LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
Some teams might prefer an easy schedule leading into the finals, but Storm prop Stefano Utoikamanu shares that his team is ready for a challenging run, beginning with a crucial match against the Panthers, who are vying for their fifth consecutive title.
Last year, the Panthers triumphed over Melbourne in the grand final and have since elevated from the bottom of the standings after 12 rounds to the top four, highlighted by a recent decisive victory against Newcastle.
The upcoming game marks the beginning of a tough month for the Storm, who will also compete against the Bulldogs (third), Roosters (ninth), and conclude their schedule with a match against the Broncos (sixth). All of these contests are vital as they aim for a top-two finish.
Earlier this season, Melbourne secured a victory over Penrith and has defeated them twice in the 2024 regular season. The intense competition in August is expected to serve as excellent preparation for the upcoming finals.
"I wasn't here last year, but a lot of the boys here played in the grand final," Utoikamanu reflected.
"Penrith didn't really start the year that well, but I think they've won nine straight now so you can see them as the in-form team of the comp, so it's going to be a good game this week."
"For us, the finals aren't far away. Those four teams (that we're playing) are all going to be in the finals probably, so it's definitely a good preparation. I'd rather this (than winning by 50)," he added.