Api Koroisau is expected to be fine to play the NRL grand final next Sunday despite coming off with a shoulder injury in Penrith’s 20-16 preliminary final win.
The Panthers hooker was taken up the tunnel with what he believed was a serious injury but it was revealed as just a “burner”, with pain subsiding soon afterwards.
He returned to the field to play out the remainder of the second half and is no in doubt to play Melbourne at ANZ Stadium.
“He’s pretty good actually, quite a relief,” coach Ivan Cleary said. “Api’s fine.
“It was good, as it turned out, to have Mitch Kenny on the bench.
While the Panthers will have powerhouse second-rower Viliame Kikau back from suspension on the left edge, three others could be in doubt for Sunday’s decider.
Isaah Yeo, Zane Tetevano and James Fisher-Harris will all face scrutiny from the NRL’s match review committee for high shots, but with grade one charges will be free to face the Storm.
A response from the MRC is expected at around midday on Sunday.
They have now won 17 games straight but the Panthers will need their full cavalry against an experienced Melbourne side who could be bidding farewell to Cameron Smith in the grand final.
The Storm captain has not yet announced whether he will play on in 2021 and, regardless of his decision, there will be plenty of emotion surrounding the week.
Cleary said Smith has no weaknesses that he can pinpoint and Penrith will need to save their best performance for last to beat them,
“What can you say about the Storm, they’re the same old every year,” Cleary said.
“They’re there or thereabouts.
“They’ve been extremely good this year. It’s what you expect playing in a grand final.
“The most important thing is we deliver as close to the best performance as we can and that will restrict what they’re capable of.”