freddy lussick is named at nine for Penrith as the Panthers finalise their Round 5 side to face Melbourne Storm at Suncorp Stadium, kickoff 5: 00 AM ET. Penrith have made one late change with Billy Scott added to the bench and Kalani Going omitted. The Storm have reshuffled after Jack Howarth was ruled out with a hip injury, bringing Manaia Waitere into the centres and handing a first start to rookie Cooper Clarke.
Freddy Lussick confirmed at No. 9 in Penrith lineup
Penrith’s final 17 for the clash lists Freddy Lussick at nine, with Lindsay Smith at 10 and Isaah Yeo named in the back row. The only late alteration for the Panthers is the insertion of Billy Scott on the bench and the omission of Kalani Going from the extended squad. The side named includes the club’s full complement across the spine and forward pack, with Izack Tago and Luke Garner among the reserves.
Storm forced into reshuffle after Howarth ruled out
Melbourne have been hit by a late withdrawal, with Jack Howarth ruled out with a hip injury. Manaia Waitere moves into the centres to cover that vacancy, while rookie Cooper Clarke earns his first start in the second row. Alec MacDonald drops back to the bench as a result of the change, and the Storm run out with Harry Grant at nine and Cameron Munster in the halves.
Late Mail, bench moves and wider Round 5 notes
The late changes are straightforward: Billy Scott added to Penrith’s bench for Kalani Going, and the Storm have replaced Jack Howarth with Manaia Waitere in the centres and promoted Cooper Clarke into the starting pack. Elsewhere in the Round 5 Late Mail, the Broncos have received a major boost with Payne Haas cleared to return for their derby, and other fixtures have their own confirmed squads and cut players named.
Immediate reactions to late squad calls came from other coaches on the card: Shane Flanagan, Dragons coach, spoke on managing young talent and player welfare, saying, “I like him as a player, but he also has some areas of his game to work on. When he is ready I will use him, trust me – but I also have a duty of care to look after the long-term development of Kade. His time will come. ” Flanagan added on his son’s situation regarding recovery and selection that it was unlikely he would be risked immediately given the scheduling of upcoming matches.
As of 5: 00 AM ET this Late Mail captures the final matchday picture for the Penrith v Storm clash at Suncorp Stadium. Team balance and bench composition will be decisive, with Penrith opting for continuity in the hooking role and Melbourne forced to recalibrate their centre pairing and forward rotation.
What’s next: coaches and match officials will lock the team sheets ahead of kickoff and any late fitness tests will be resolved before the whistle. Expect both clubs to confirm final on-field combinations in the pre-match warm-up; tactical consequences of the Storm’s reshuffle and Penrith’s bench tweak will shape how this Round 5 encounter unfolds.
