Storm thwart scoreless Panthers, Sharks down Warriors in thriller

STORM 8 PANTHERS 0

KEY POINTS

BELLAMY THE BEST: How does he keep doing it in round one? It’s no fluke the Storm haven’t been beaten in the opening round for 22 years now, but it’s hard to imagine any of those wins giving Craig Bellamy more satisfaction than this one. If you simply looked at the numbers, there is no way they should have won. In fact, they lost almost every key metric: completion rates, run metres, line breaks, missed tackles, errors. But they can’t quantify heart. Late in the match – when Soni Luke put a kick through which looked like it would be pounced upon by Izack Tago – a number of purple jerseys swarmed to be in the picture. Bellamy will show it to his players all week. Melbourne’s win made it five straight outsiders winning to start the season. Rugby league, hey.

DON’T WORRY ABOUT PENRITH … YET: If you believe in omens, this might be a good one. After being shocked in last year’s World Club Challenge, the Panthers went on to lose round one against the Broncos. The same two sides then played in the grand final and we know how that finished. Penrith find themselves in exactly the same position again in 2024, no World Club Challenge success and another first-up loss in the NRL. Maybe the most concerning thing was their chaotic attack, which looked nothing like the well-oiled machine of previous years. But it’s round one, and Ivan Cleary’s side will find its groove as the weeks go on. If the Panthers are still playing like this in eight weeks, it might be a different story.

Reimis Smith celebrates the only try of the match.Credit: Getty

MAY’S DAY: Stephen who? That might be a bit harsh, but suddenly the loss of Stephen Crichton to the Bulldogs appears not as bad as first thought. Taylan May, playing only his second match in a year after recovering from an ACL tear, was the Panthers’ most dangerous player. He looked sharp in attack and more than competent in defence. He might have been a little out of sight, out of mind. But his class shone through and he will be a more than able replacement at left centre for the grand final specialist. Now for Penrith to get his signature on a piece of paper.

KEY STATS

What a huge statement from Craig Bellamy’s men. They have not only won a 22nd straight round one match under the master coach, they’ve also done it keeping the three-time defending champions scoreless at AAMI Park.

We’ve all seen it, but I’m not sure if we really believe it. The Panthers have pummelled the Storm line in the second half with 75 per cent of the game played in Melbourne’s half after the break, but they refused to buckle. And as the night went on, the more chaos there was in Penrith’s usually military-like attack.

It took 50 minutes but the only try of the night to Reimis Smith proved decisive. From there, their tackling took over.

A famous, famous win for Bellamy and Melbourne.

Storm 8 Panthers 0

And Melbourne get the ball back from the short dropout after Brian To’o touches it as it goes into touch. Incredible.

Storm 8 Panthers 0

Only two minutes left and the Storm with a dropout. They’re almost there.

Storm 8 Panthers 0

How do you think Liam Martin’s ribs are feeling right now?

Again, the Panthers look like they’re finally about to break the Storm defence - Jahrome Hughes is down, Eli Katoa is cramping - but as the ball is thrown out to Martin on the right, with two unmarked players outside him, Xavier Coates arrows in off his wing and crunches Martin, who drops the ball. The Storm players are almost too exhausted to celebrate.

Six minutes to go. Time is well and truly Penrith’s enemy now.

Storm 8 Panthers 0

James Fisher-Harris luanches into the Storm defence.Credit: Getty

In non-rugby league related news, there’s been a small earthquake felt throughout the Blue Mountains and western Sydney, including Penrith.

Think there’s more chance of a few homes shaking in Penrith tonight than the scoreboard in Melbourne?

Down to the last nine minutes at AAMI Park and the Panthers attack is getting more and more chaotic by the minute. Craig Bellamy is almost there for 22 straight round one wins coaching the Storm.

Storm 8 Panthers 0

Without a shadow of doubt, Taylan May has been the most dangerous player for the Panthers tonight. For a guy who has only played one match in 12 months before tonight, it’s been super impressive.

But this defence from the Storm is out of this world. Penrith is throwing everything at them, but they refuse to yield. This latest manic set from the Panthers ends with a Soni Luke grubber being swatted dead by the Storm with Izack Tago in hot pursuit. There were so many purple jerseys in the picture.

Less than 15 minutes left...

Storm 8 Panthers 0

Moses Leota is dragged down by Xavier Coates.Credit: Getty

Poor old Tui Kamikamica. He had the Panthers on absolute toast - and he’s spilled his lollies.

The Storm were over the line again and as the big Fijian tried to roll and plant the ball down, he’s bobbled it only millimetres from the ground. Have a look at Craig Bellamy. He knows that might have been game, set, match. Anyone know a window cleaner? Might be handy in the Storm coaching box right now.

Penrith still in it. Inside the last 21 minutes now and they still haven’t scored a point.

Storm 8 Panthers 0

James Fisher-Harris and Moses Leota are still sitting on the sideline. There are 25 minutes to go and the champions are down by eight points. They don’t even look like warming up either. That must be about to change. Has to.

Fullback Dylan Edwards is now sporting a bad cut above his right eye. He’s shaved his head, and now might have a few stitches to go with it.

Who’s going to drag the Panthers back into this match?

Storm 8 Panthers 0

Nathan Cleary tries to beat the Panthers defence.Credit: Getty

They’ve done it. We have lift-off. After 50 minutes we have the first try of the second match of the night. You knew it was about to happen, too.

As soon as the Panthers had one controversially ruled out by Mr Bunker, the Storm go straight down the other end and Jonah Pezet, as we’ve been discussing all night long, floated a pinpoint kick across field for Xavier Coates to outleap the smaller Brian To’o and pass it back for Remis Smith to crash over.

Nick Meaney’s conversion attempt from the sideline is … good. The Storm and round one, is it happening again?

Storm 8 Panthers 0