Storm’s unthinkable 21-year record survives bonkers NRL thriller

The Melbourne Storm’s perfect record under Craig Bellamy has remained intact in an opening match thriller in Parramatta.

Now that’s the way to start the season.

The opening match of the season has kicked off with a golden point thriller as the Melbourne Storm’s unbeaten opening round record remained intact with a 16-12 win in the 84th minute.

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It was clearly an early season match as the attack and defence is still a long way from being crisp but it still delivered all the tension a rugby league fan would want.

Michael Ennis called it “an absolute belter” as the match went to extra-time at 12-all.

The Storm had the better of the field goal shots leading into the golden point period but Cameron Munster and Nick Meaney were both wayward, while Mitchell Moses kicked his straight into the on-rushing defence.

But in the end it was all down to the scheming Harry Grant running from dummy half and reaching out to decide the match with a try.

The Storm celebrated the huge golden point win. Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

But it wasn’t all the Storm’s way as the side survived a horror injury toll.

The Age’s Roy Ward reported on Twitter the Storm had “about 20 fit players out of 30 on their list”.

But the Storm had a nightmare moment when star five-eighth Cameron Munster left the field with a dislocated finger on his right hand.

On Nine, it was reported as a dislocation, while Fox was saying it was a compound fracture.

Cameron Munster off with a finger/hand issue. Differential is fracture vs dislocation:
- if fractured most will require at least 3-4 weeks recovery
- isolated dislocation much quicker recovery, very best case could be back tonight#NRLEelsStorm

— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) March 2, 2023

At halftime, the Storm had assessed the five-eighth and he returned to the field for the second half.

The club officially called it a compound dislocation.

On Fox, Greg Alexander said the worry would be infection.

“A compound fracture means the bone has broken the skin and the biggest concern for Cameron Munster is infection,” Alexander said. “I can’t see the doctors allowing him back on the field.”

Cameron Munster came back after this. Photo: Fox Sports

When the news came through he would play, Alexander said: “Once the skin is broken, they see that as a problem. But he’s a tough boy Cameron Munster.”

Munster had a big hand to play regardless, setting up the Storm’s second try after he dummied to himself and put Young Tonumaipea to score out wide.

“That is Munster magic, all class, he bamboozles all the Parramatta defenders,” Ennis said of the play.

What fracture?

Munster's magic fingers leads to Melbourne's second try!

📺 Watch #NRLEelsStorm on
Ch. 502 or stream on Kayo:https://t.co/B1ijnGY1g8
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🔢 MATCH CENTRE pic.twitter.com/jo2Rf7j6Tx

— Fox League (@FOXNRL) March 2, 2023

However, you’d have to assume there’d be some assessment on his fitness for next week.

Munster didn’t think it was a big issue, despite confirming it was a horror injury.

“I’ll have a bit of cement and be right,” he laughed on Channel 9.

The news didn’t get any better for the Storm after Xavier Coates left the match midway through the second half seemingly suffering a shoulder injury.

If those are at all serious, it’ll leave the Storm dramatically short of men.

However, the fans were mostly happy the footy is back.

Oh yeah. The rugba lerg is back baby! #NRLEelsStorm

— Tim Barrow (@TheBarrow) March 2, 2023

Craig Bellamy in round one. Give him any roster you want, doesn't matter.

Absolutely incredible win - Parra had all the ball and all the chances and yet once again, the bad guys win âš¡âš¡ #NRLEelsStorm

— Matt Bungard (@TheMattBungard) March 2, 2023