Melbourne Storm kicked off the new season in emphatic style, showcasing their dominance against Parramatta Eels in their opening match. The Storm, last season’s runners-up, ran out 56-18 winners at AAMI Park, leaving former assistant coach Jason Ryles disappointed in his debut for the Eels.
The first half saw Melbourne race to a staggering 46-6 lead, with an effective display that caught the attention of commentators and fans alike. Billy Slater, reflecting on the match, stated that the Storm “sent a message to the rest of the competition” with their impressive performance.
Despite Parramatta’s efforts, they struggled to keep up, managing their first score only after Melbourne had already established a dominant 40-point lead. The Storm’s tries came from various players, including Ryan Papenhuyzen, who scored two in the first half, as well as contributions from Josh King, Xavier Coates, Eli Katoa, Harry Grant, and Nick Meaney.
Commentator Phil Gould remarked on Parramatta’s lack of cohesion, indicating that the team appeared overwhelmed during the match. The Storm continued their commanding performance into the second half, with Will Warbrick adding to the tally following an intercept and Jahrome Hughes also getting in on the act.
In the latter stages of the game, Parramatta managed to score two consolation tries through Will Penisini and Isaiah Iongi, but it was too little too late as Melbourne maintained control throughout.
This victory marks an impressive 23 consecutive first-round wins for the Storm, reinforcing coach Craig Bellamy’s remarkable record. Next week, Melbourne has a bye, while Parramatta will face off against the Wests Tigers.