LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
In a classic showdown between the Storm and Panthers for Sunday's grand final, the team lists have been finalized with a surprise inclusion and a veteran player in doubt.
As the Storm gear up to face off against the Panthers, coach Craig Bellamy has made the bold decision to bring on NRL rookie Lazarus Vaalepu to fill the shoes of the suspended Nelson Asofa-Solomona.
Asofa-Solomona's absence due to a five-game ban has paved the way for Vaalepu to step up and prove himself on the big stage.
With just seven NRL games under his belt, the 25-year-old forward is set to make his finals debut in the grand final clash.
Despite his limited game time this season, Vaalepu's teammates have applauded his impressive performances and work ethic, highlighting his power and defensive efforts on the field.
"He's such a powerful guy and a big body, but his efforts off the ball and in his defensive areas have been really pleasing because the speed of the game at NRL level rises up," said teammate Christian Welch in praise of Vaalepu's abilities.
As the Storm look to secure victory and end Penrith's winning streak, all eyes will be on Vaalepu to deliver a standout performance in the ultimate test of his young career.
With the grand final atmosphere heating up, fans can expect a thrilling match between these two powerhouse teams as they battle it out for Rugby League supremacy.