The Mole: Melbourne's 'massive advantage' set to bring down Panthers dynasty

Sunday's blockbuster NRL grand final shapes as a tight, even affair - but there's one area where the Storm have a massive advantage that could turn the game.

And that is why I believe Melbourne are poised to end Penrith's marvellous run of three straight premierships.

In most positions on paper, there is little between the players that finished first and second in the league… well ahead of the field.

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But at hooker - one of the most important spots on the field the way the modern game is played - the Storm have a clear edge.

Penrith hooker Mitch Kenny is a good solid pro who has won premierships and held up the middle for the Panthers in fine style and this is no sleight on him.

But in Harry Grant, the Storm have the most dangerous hooker in the league and a player capable of unlocking the Panthers' defensive wall.

A comparision of the statistics of the two dummy-halves tells the tale.

Kenny played 23 games, made an average of two runs per game and scored two tries in 2024.

Grant, by contrast, played 22 games, made six runs per game and scored 11 tries.

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Kenny had six try assists - Grant doubled him with 12.

Kenny made just two line breaks and eight tackle breaks. Grant - 13 line breaks and 47 tackle breaks. Wow.

Panthers fans will challenge this by saying Kenny's defence is superior and he did make the third most tackles in the NRL in the regular season.

But he missed 123 tackles… Grant missed 82.

So there you have it - my reason for believing that the Storm will edge out the Panthers in what shapes as a grand final classic.

I have been wrong before - many times - however I see Grant as the big-match player who will deliver the title to the Storm on Sunday night.