[NRL Tonight]ROUND 1, Can the Panthers End the Storm’s Round 1 Dominance in NRL Opener?

MARCH 8th 2024 FRIDAY MELBOURNE STORM v PENRITH PANTHERS AAMI PARK STADIUM

Storm’s Unbeaten Round 1 Streak on the Line Against Panthers in NRL Opener

Remarkably, the Storm have never lost a Round 1 match since Craig Bellamy joined the club as coach in 2003.

That record will certainly be under threat on Friday night, with the reigning premiers heading down to Melbourne.

Arguably the biggest opening round game of the season pits traditional heavyweights the Storm up against three-time reigning premiers the Panthers on Friday night at AAMI Park.

Penrith dominated Melbourne in three meetings in 2023, prevailing by 34-16, 26-6 and 38-4 scores, ultimately going on to secure a third premiership in as many seasons with a miraculous comeback victory over the Broncos in the Grand Final.

Can the Panthers maintain their level and make it four premierships on the bounce? Quite possibly, but this is a very tough first assignment, despite their dominance from last year.

The Panthers lost two of their first three games of last season and are coming off a World Club Challenge defeat in the UK against Wigan a fortnight ago. Could another slow start be on the cards.

However, the Panthers were underwhelming in the World Club Challenge against Wigan, where ground conditions were not to their liking, and will have to recover after a long-haul return journey. They also got the worst decision ever by a video ref who said Wigan had scored. Well the pictures on my screen said the ball never went over the line, ever. NO TRY.

On paper, Penrith should win this … but the Storm’s opening round record is very hard to ignore.

Panthers

1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Taylan May 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Luke Sommerton 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Luke Garner 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Tyrone Peachey 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Liam Henry 17. Matt Eisenhuth 18. Daine Laurie 19. Soni Luke 20. Brad Schneider 21. Preston Riki 22. Mavrik Geyer

Bellamy’s Round 1 Mastery: Storm’s Unbeaten Streak Faces Panthers Test

Bellamy will have them prepared, and even if they don’t win, they likely keep it very close.

Craig Bellamy’s record in Round 1 matches is second to none – the super coach has never lost a season opener in his two-decade stint in charge of the Storm.

Ryan Papenhuyzen returns at fullback after missing the better part of the last two years through injury, while Cameron Munster has been named at five-eighth. With Jahrome Hughes and Harry Grant, the Storm are equipped with arguably the most lethal spine in the competition.

Storm line up

1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. William Warbrick 3. Reimis Smith 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Joe Chan 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Christian Welch 16. Chris Lewis 17. Alec MacDonald 18. Shawn Blore 19. Kane Bradley 20. Jonah Pezet 21. Marion Seve 22. Sualauvi Faalogo

Panthers Seek Redemption at AAMI Park Against Storm’s Unbeaten Round 1 Record

Panthers have won just one of their last eight games at AAMI Park

Panthers lost two of their first three games of 2023

Storm haven’t lost a Round 1 game since 2001

Craig Bellamy has never lost a Round 1 game in his coaching career

Xavier Coates has scored 23 tries in 18 games at AAMI Park

Brian To’o has scored at least one try in 10 of his last 12 games

Will Warbrick has scored a try in his last three home games

Coach Craig Bellamy has confirmed Cameron Munster is out after failing to prove his fitness by the Thursday deadline. The gun five-eighth suffered a groin injury after doing the splits following a slip in the shower. Either back-up half Jonah Pezet or utility Tyran Wishart will replace Munster.

Referee.  Gerard Sutton

PREDICTION

The Storm were embarrassed by the Panthers in the preliminary final last season, going down 38-4 and will get their revenge in round 1 of 2024. The Storm’s preseason has been quiet, which is a positive and they will welcome back a fully-fit Ryan Papenhuyzen at fullback with Nick Meaney becoming a danger in the centres. Have a look at , Papenhuyzen, Coates and To’o, any time try scorers, Also under 36.5 Total match points. There are big raps on Sua Faalogo here so watch out for him off the bench. This match could be tight so look for a points start. Penrith will be favourite.