LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
The Penrith Panthers put up a mighty effort in Melbourne but ultimately fell short in a narrow loss to the Storm.
After losing Nathan Cleary to injury early on and trailing 14-0, the Panthers fought back with Paul Alamoti scoring two tries to revive their chances.
Casey McLean then gave them an unlikely lead before the Storm ultimately proved too strong.
Brian To'o's late double kept the Panthers in the contest until the end.
The loss of Cleary early on due to a head injury was a significant blow for the Panthers.
He was forced to leave the match within the first 10 minutes, and Blaize Talagi made his debut as his replacement.
Talagi and Jack Cole formed a new halves combination, showing promise despite the circumstances.
Additionally, Tom Jenkins impressed in his first NRL appearance since returning to the Panthers, filling in admirably for Dylan Edwards at fullback.
Despite the loss, Panthers coach Ivan Cleary praised his team for their resilience in the face of adversity.
"I thought we showed a lot of courage to hang in there," he said after the match.
"The boys really put in a huge effort, especially after losing Nathan early on."
Overall, the Panthers' effort in Melbourne was commendable, with the team showing determination and fighting spirit despite the challenges they faced.
The performance of the young players who stepped up in the absence of key figures like Cleary and Edwards bodes well for the team's future.
As Ivan Cleary summed up, "I thought a lot of the young guys came in and did a really good job...
I couldn't be prouder of them."