LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
In a surprising turn of events, Panthers star Jarome Luai is set to return to the field after recovering from a dislocated shoulder.
However, his comeback might not be an easy one, as Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy has challenged his players to target Luai and make him "make a few tackles" in the NRL preliminary final showdown.
Bellamy's own halfback, Jahrome Hughes, is also expected to deliver a strong performance in the game.
Despite training lightly with a strapped calf, Hughes is determined to make his return from a calf strain that kept him out of the Storm's semi-final victory over the Roosters.
On the other side, Penrith coach Ivan Cleary confirmed Luai's return after four weeks of being sidelined due to his shoulder injury.
Cleary acknowledged that he expects the Storm to target Luai's left shoulder during the clash.
In response, Bellamy expressed his team's intention to put pressure on the five-eighth.
He stated, "We'd like to see him make a few tackles, so we'll see how that goes."
Both coaches have shown confidence in their returning players, ensuring that they wouldn't bring them back if they weren't fit enough to last the entire game.
The stage is set for an intense battle, with Storm players aiming to test Luai's fitness and resilience on the field.