Storm coach Craig Bellamy has pulled a surprise switch ahead of his side’s blockbuster clash with the Panthers on Thursday night.

With Ryan Papenhuyzen unavailable due to a concussion, Bellamy has turned to star five-eighth Cameron Munster to fulfil the fullback duties.

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That has opened the door for young playmaker to start in the halves for the first time this year.

It’s an interesting move that sets the stage for an epic grand final rematch.

These two heavyweights faced off in Round 3, with the Storm escaping 30-24 winners, but it was a very different landscape back then with the Panthers in the midst of a five-game losing streak.

Fast forward to now and the four-peat champions have clawed their way into the top four off the back of a nine-game winning streak.

Meanwhile, the Storm sit second and are chasing the minor premiership after winning nine of their last 10 games.

With many tipping the Panthers and Storm to make it all the way again, this could very well be a teaser of what’s to come on October 5.

The Storm have had to regroup in the last couple of weeks after losing star halfback Jahrome Hughes to a shoulder injury in Round 21 but that hasn’t halted their momentum with Tyran Wishart doing an admirable job filling in.

The Panthers have stuck with the same 17 that defeated the Knights last week and are still without co-captain Isaah Yeo (shoulder).

TEAMS

Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Izack Tago 4. Casey Mclean 5. Brian To’o 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Luke Garner 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaiah Papali’i 14. Brad Schneider 15. Liam Henry 16. Matthew Eisenhuth 17. Scott Sorensen. 18th man: 18. Paul Alamoti

Storm: 6. Cameron Munster2. Grant Anderson 1. Nick Meaney 4. Marion Seve 5. Xavier Coates 14. Jonah Pezet 7. Tyran Wishart 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 3. Joe Chan 15. Alec Macdonald 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Ativalu Lisati. 18th man: 18. Bronson Garlick

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