Tips: The one factor stopping Joey from locking in wild upset

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Andrew Johns expects the Panthers to bring a halt to their two-game losing streak on Thursday night, but only due to one key Storm player’s absence.

Johns is concerned about Ivan Cleary’s all-conquering team on the eve of September, with Penrith’s buffer atop the ladder evaporating thanks to a run of three losses in their last five games.

The losses have been compounded by significant injury issues, with inspirational captain Isaah Yeo sidelined by a pec injury that might yet end his season and centre Paul Alamoti out with a hand injury. Gun hooker Mitch Kenny, meanwhile, is still to return from a long layoff with a leg injury.

As a result of the rough trot, the Panthers have slid from minor premiers-in-waiting to equal second spot. Two home finals are far from guaranteed and there’s an outside chance they could slip out of the top four by the end of round 27.

It’s with that context in mind that Johns and Brad Fittler expect a tight contest in Melbourne on Thursday night, even against a Storm side out of finals contention in 11th spot and having also lost three of their last five games.

The one factor stopping Johns from tipping a wild upset is Jahrome Hughes, who has had an injury interrupted season and is still unavailable due to a hamstring issue.

Storm coach Craig Bellamy has named Trent Toelau to partner Cameron Munster in the halves on Thursday night.

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“Panther just for mine,” Johns told Wide World of Sports’ NRL Tips as he predicted the winner of Thursday night’s clash.

“If Jahrome Hughes was playing for the Storm I’d tip them.”

“Yeah, that’s a big loss for them,” replied Fittler.

Johns added that he liked the look of the Storm’s middle forwards better than the Panthers and also preferred the make-up of their bench, which includes Tyran Wishart, Alec MacDonald, Angus Hinchey, Cooper Clarke, Joe Chan and Jack Hetherington.

The return of skipper Harry Grant from a low-grade hamstring strain gives Melbourne its strongest looking team in the past month, but the Panthers will be desperate to arrest their slide and stay in front of the third placed Warriors, who only trail them due to an inferior for and against.

Speaking on Wednesday, senior Panthers forward Scott Sorensen was adamant they weren’t far off a confidence boosting victory.

“It’s just about being a bit sharper and a bit smarter with our decisions and, I guess, icing our opportunities, so hopefully we can do that and it can lead to the result that we want,” Sorensen said.

Scroll below for round 25 tips by all Nine’s expert tipsters!