NRL Thursday AS IT HAPPENED: Storm hold top spot in huge step towards minor premiership; Nathan Cleary suffers shoulder injury; Contentious captain's challenge gifts Panthers penalty shot

Well, what a match!

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Round 24 has only kicked off — we'll be back tomorrow night with all the NRL action.

Keep your eyes peeled for injury updates on Nathan Cleary.

Fingers crossed his shoulder injury is not as bad as it seems.

Brad Fittler sums up the situation pretty well: "A big talking point out of tonight is Nathan Cleary and how bad that shoulder is. I have no doubt these teams would've played each other in the grand final [if they were] fully fit. But with Nathan [injured], I don't know."

Everyone take a breath!

Melbourne win it with a penalty shot in the 72nd minute.

With the result, the Storm take a gigantic leap towards a fifth minor premiership since 2016 after going two wins clear at the top of the table.

"It's hardly believable that they can be so good for so long," Mat Thompson says in commentary.

Josh King spills the ball giving the Panthers 50 seconds to hit the scoreboard.

Cameron Munster challenges to give his team a spell before one last defensive effort.

But Munster is penalised for a dangerous tackle!

Dylan Edwards goes for the two-point field goal.... but it falls short.

The siren goes. Storm win 24-22.

While all that has been happening... Nick Meaney has slotted a penalty shot from directly in front to give Melbourne a two-point lead.

James Fisher-Harris was penalised and placed on report for a marginally late tackle on Jahrome Hughes.

The Storm lead 24-22 in the closing stages of this match.

Nine's Emma Lawrence given an update on Nathan Cleary's shoulder injury.

"It's the left shoulder for Nathan Cleary," she says.

"That's the opposite side to the one he injured a couple of years ago. They're still assessing whether it's ligament or joint, so we might have some more information in a few moments."

Cleary will play no further part in this match.

Nathan Cleary has been the man to rescue Penrith the last two weeks, that might not be possible tonight with the superstar leaving the field with a shoulder injury.

He landed awkwardly before immediately calling for the doctor.

"A couple of seasons ago he had some issues with his shoulder. He doesn't look good," Mat Thompson said in commentary for Nine.

"I think he lands on his elbow. He's got the strapping there around the left bicep. Those seatbelt things they wear for their shoulder."

Cameron Smith adds: "He's had a wretched run".

With Nelson Asofa-Solomona off the field, the Panthers make the Storm pay with a try to Casey McLean.

But despite being at a disadvantage, Melbourne hit back through Tyrone Wishart.

Asofa-Solomona, Cameron Munster and Daine Laurie are all about to return to the field.

Scores are locked at 22-all.

Cameron Munster has gone down injured.

There is a three-way collision between Munster, Daine Laurie and Nelson Asofa-Solomona.

"He's been Nelsoned," Andrew Johns says in commentary for Nine.

The replay shows a tangle of bodies and it's hard to decipher who is responsible for what.

Asofa-Solomona is penalised for a swinging arm in a dangerous tackle and then marched to the sin bin under controversial circumstances.

So where is everyone?

Munster off with a busted nose and possibly eye socket, and a HIA. Nelson in the bin. Laurie off for a HIA.

In his return from a knee injury, Dylan Edwards chases down a grubber before diving over to score the first try of the second half.

Nathan Cleary converts.

Penrith lead 18-16.