Live: Storm host Panthers trying to avoid third straight loss in Cleary's milestone

The Penrith Panthers are trying to bounce back from back-to-back losses as they take on the Melbourne Storm in Ivan Cleary's milestone 500th game as a coach.Thu 20 Aug 2026 at 6:59pmThu 20 Aug 2026 at 6:59pmLive: Storm vs Panthers at AAMI ParkThu 20 Aug 2026 at 8:09pmThu 20 Aug 2026 at 8:09pm15' Trading errorsLiam Martin fumbles in a tackle, and then Jack Howarth runs himself into a corner on a left-side shift and panics as he is corralled by defenders close to the sideline and dumps a ball over the top of a tackle, but bounces it straight into the hands off Martin.Thu 20 Aug 2026 at 8:06pmThu 20 Aug 2026 at 8:06pm12' Oryn Keeley pinged for a "late" shotThe Melbourne back rower hits Jack Cogger a fraction of a second after the Penrith pivot passes the ball and Grant Atkins blows a penalty for a late hit.Pretty harsh call that.Thu 20 Aug 2026 at 8:02pmThu 20 Aug 2026 at 8:02pm8' Shawn Blore off for an HIAThe Storm back rower looks completely shocked to be told to leave the field for a head injury assessment.The television replays show him hitting his head pretty hard on the ground as he made a tackle.Thu 20 Aug 2026 at 7:55pmThu 20 Aug 2026 at 7:55pmBrian To'o has his 100th try!Nathan Cleary sends a high kick into the middle of the field where Liam Martin takes a mark up above his head and the rest of the pack. He flings it back to Lindsay Smith, who fires a glorious ball out to Brian To'o on the right wing and he outpaces Moses Leo to the tryline.Thu 20 Aug 2026 at 7:55pmThu 20 Aug 2026 at 7:55pm2' Moses vs MunsterThe Storm field the kick deep in the corner of their own defensive half and after Jack Howarth is monstered by the defence, Cameron Munster gets into it with Moses Leota.The play continues, and the Storm can't get beyond their 30m line.Thu 20 Aug 2026 at 7:53pmThu 20 Aug 2026 at 7:53pmThe Storm kick us offAnd Moses Leota flies into the Storm defence, where it looks like Trent Loiero hits him with a shoulder charge, but no whistle.Thu 20 Aug 2026 at 7:52pmThu 20 Aug 2026 at 7:52pmHere come the teamsThe Panthers first, followed by the Storm, with all 19 players giving Tui Kamikamica a hug on their way up the tunnel.And then they form a guard of honour for their great mate, who runs out with his son with a huge smile on his face.Thu 20 Aug 2026 at 7:40pmThu 20 Aug 2026 at 7:40pmLATE MAIL: New halfback for the Storm(NRL.com)Former Panther Trent Toelau was initial named as Jahrome Hughes's halfback replacement, but instead Tyran Wishart is elevated off the bench.Thu 20 Aug 2026 at 7:29pmThu 20 Aug 2026 at 7:29pmWho saw this coming?(Getty)Before the season, not many people would have expected a round 25 clash between the Storm and Panthers to be a clash between the team running 11th and a team coming off back-to-back losses.This should be a battle between two of the league's heavyweights, but the Storm have been well off the pace all season, and the past two weeks Penrith has been beaten by their biggest rivals this season, the Warriors and Roosters.Regardless, there is so much class taking the field tonight, I wouldn't be surprised if we got a classic match.Thu 20 Aug 2026 at 7:14pmThu 20 Aug 2026 at 7:14pm'A legendary figure': Billy Smith diesLegendary halfback and hall of fame player Billy Smith has died at the age of 84.The playmaker in four premierships with the Dragons in the 1960s, Smith captained his country amid 44 Tests for the Kangaroos.Smith was named in the St George Team of the Century in 2022 courtesy of 234 matches for the Dragons."Billy was a legendary figure," NRL boss Peter V'landys said."He was tough but he was skilful, a necessary combination in the era he played in."Norm Provan called him the best halfback he had seen. That says everything about how good Billy Smith was as a player."Thu 20 Aug 2026 at 7:03pmThu 20 Aug 2026 at 7:03pmWelcome to round 25Hello and good evening.It's time for the start of round 25 as the Melbourne Storm host the Penrith Panthers.The Panthers are coming off rare back-to-back losses, while the Storm are rested off the bye.What will we see tonight as Penrith tries to celebrate Ivan Cleary's 500th game as an NRL coach.