Defending premiers shut out in stunning Storm statement

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Melbourne Storm v Penrith Panthers

The Melbourne Storm have kept their undefeated Round 1 record under Craig Bellamy intact, frustrating a persistent Penrith Panthers side 8-0 on Friday night at AAMI Park.

The numbers told quite the story in the end, with the Panthers recording 42 tackles in Melbourne's 20 compared to 21 for the hosts and yet a determined defensive effort saw the hosts home.

It was quite the statement for the Storm without five-eighth Cameron Munster and barnstorming forward Nelson Asofa-Solomona, although the Panthers were also without hooker Mitch Kenny and second rower Scott Sorensen.

Penrith's attack looked disjointed and chaotic at times but that was as much a product of Melbourne's defence as it was shaking off early season rust for the three-time premiers.

A Nick Meaney penalty goal was the only difference between the two sides in what was a fast-paced first half, with both the Storm and Panthers guilty of uncharacteristic errors in humid conditions.

There were a few close calls as Taylan May, who looked the most threatening player for Penrith in attack, came up with a crucial one-on-one tackle as Nick Meaney almost sliced through to score in the 21^st minute.

A trick play from the Panthers off a scrum almost brought on the first try of the game in the 30th

minute as Nathan Cleary put in a kick for Brian To'o, only for a tricky bounce to deny the visitors.

Elsewhere, Melbourne's right edge looked the most likely option for the home side but a brilliant tackle from Luke Garner stopped Jahrome Hughes late in the half before scrambling defence saw Meaney taken dead just as he reached over to ground the ball.

The Panthers almost had the first try of the night early in the second as Luke Sommerton spotted a hole close the line and had Nathan Cleary in support, only for a desperate Ryan Papenhuyzen to deny them as he knocked the ball down.

Penrith went close again in the 49th

minute with the electric May in the thick of it again as he made a break and kicked on the inside for Soni Luke in support but the Bunker intervened to overrule the try on the basis of an obstruction in the lead-up.

It proved a crucial call as the Storm went down the other end as broke the try-scoring drought as the size mismatch on the wings finally produced points, with Xavier Coates batting back a Jonah Pezet bomb for Reimis Smith to score.

Coates looked to have created another try - and potentially the game-winning one at that - when he charged at the line and offloaded, leaving Tui Kamikamica to run at a disjointed Penrith defence but the front rower dropped it just as he went to ground the ball.

It didn't end up making a difference though as the Storm defended their line on multiple occasions to deny the Panthers in a low-scoring thriller.

The Panthers host the Eels next week while the Storm are back at AAMI Park again to play the Warriors.

Match Highlights - #NRLStormPanthers

The Melbourne Storm produced a magnificent defensive display to down premiers Penrith 8-0! pic.twitter.com/rvKnZ06ha7
— NRL (@NRL) March 8, 2024