Just 30,000 fans are expected for the preliminary final at Accor Stadium between the heavyweight champs Penrith and the visiting Melbourne Storm.

According to ‘The Masker Panther’, many Panthers are keeping their money in their pockets and hoping to see their side in the grand final the following week.

“The Panthers always wanted to play the match at Accor but the NRL had been considering CommBank Stadium as a venue given concern over the crowd figure,” he wrote for the Western Weekender website.

“I’m told the match has sold pretty well through the week, with a crowd of around 30,000 expected.

“It’s not bad considering many Panthers fans would be saving their cash for the Grand Final and the Storm don’t bring many supporters.”