The fuse has been lit for an explosive shootout for a grand final spot in the battle between Penrith and Melbourne on Saturday afternoon.
The Storm believe that the Panthers – through the print media – are attempting to undermine their title defence by putting pressure on referee Gerard Sutton in the lead-up to the game.
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The News Corp media ran a story yesterday that the Panthers are concerned Sutton “has been hoodwinked by Melbourne’s at-times spoiling tactics in their most recent clashes”.
It added: “The undertone of tension dates back to last year’s grand final where Penrith halves Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai were silenced in the 2020 showdown by the relentless pressure of influential Storm and Maroons stars Cameron Munster, Christian Welch and Felise Kaufusi”.
Those allegations have upset the Storm, who see them as a deliberate campaign to influence Sutton in the lead-up to the game.
“We know what they (Penrith) are doing and we don’t like it – it has been noted,” a senior Storm source told me last night.
“Before our last game, there was a similar story in the Fairfax media so whoever is behind it is being very thorough.
“It is not something we are happy about before such a big game.”
There were similar allegations about attempting to influence match officials thrown by both sides after the recent Souths v Panthers finals match.
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