Storm hang on against gallant Tigers

The Melbourne Storm have defeated the Wests Tigers 18-16 at Olympic Park this evening.

Melbourne, the competition favourites were expected to run riot over what was considered a weak Tigers side but that never happened. The Tigers played right up until the final whistle and had chances late in the game to win the match but the Storm showed enough urgency in the crucial periods of the match to sneak away with the two points and get their premiership aspirations off to a positive start.

All eyes were on the five eighths in Greg Inglis and Benji Marshall and whilst both players had solid games, neither were at the height of their powers.

Rookie Israel Folau lived up to expectations by scoring on debut and he is one big unit. He ran strongly and will be a regular in the Storm lineup I he can replicate tonight