Only the Storm could came back from 20 – nil against Manly, at Brookvale, and win in Golden Point time.
The Storm, without halfback Cooper Cronk and with a new look halves pairing in Ben Roberts and Ben Hampton, took the field for the opening round in the unfamiliar position of outsiders and in the first 40 mins, it looked like the punters were spot on.
Manly were immediately on the attack and their well drilled back-line took no time in clicking into gear, scoring three tries in the first twenty minutes of the game and it was only a try to Melbourne Storm centre Sisa Waqa in the last ten minutes of the first half, that provided the visitors with any reprieve.
At the commencement of the second half, Manly took the field without fullback Brett Stewart who had succumbed to a hamstring strain and who had been instrumental in Manly’s first half performance. His absence had a dramatic effect on the home-side and it was the opportunity Melbourne and their Skipper Cam Smith needed.
Three tries in the first fifteen minutes of the second half had the Storm back in the contest and with the scores tied at the final siren; the season’s first Golden Point game was underway.
No stranger to the big plays, Cam Smith stepped up five minutes into extra time to slot the first field goal of his career and give the Storm a remarkable win.
The Storm just know how to win. It’s a culture at their club.
Penrith recruited strongly over the off-season and secured the services of halves Peter Wallace and Jamie Soward along with experienced forward Brent Kite and powerful centre Jamal Idris amongst others.
The new signings all took their place in the starting line up for the opening game against a depleted Newcastle side and supported by the regular Penrith roster, put together a promising 30 – 8 win.
This week we’ll see just how good as the Panthers travel to Melbourne.
The Panthers registered a surprise win over the Strom at Centrebet Stadium last season 12 – 10 however the previous four matches all concluded in comfortable victories to the Storm by an average winning margin of 27.5 points.
Storm halfback Cooper Cronk returns from his shoulder injury with Ben Roberts now on stand-by to make their side as strong as it possibly can be.
It is a new Penrith side this year, so the recent record of comfortably wins by the Storm can be a bit misleading but the 8.5 start does look within their reach.
Odds Comparison:
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 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
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| Melbourne Storm | 1.35 | 1.36 | 1.33 | 1.36 | 1.35 | 1.36 |
| Penrith Panthers | 3.30 | 3.25 | 3.40 | 3.25 | 3.30 | 3.15 |
All odds are subject to change. Odds listed are correct at the time of the latest update.
Tips: Melbourne Storm to win and cover the line.
Teams:
Melbourne Storm:
1. Billy Slater 2. Sisa Waqa 3. Will Chambers 4. Mahe Fonua 5. Young Tonumaipea 6. Ben Hampton 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Cameron Smith 10. Bryan Norrie 11. Kevin Proctor 12. Ryan Hoffman 13. Ryan Hinchcliffe 14. Kenneath Bromwich 15. Tohu Harris 16. Jordan McLean 17. George Rose 18. Ben Roberts
Penrith Panthers:
1. Matt Moylan 2. Josh Mansour 3. Dean Whare 4. Isaah Yeo 5. David Simmons 6. Jamie Soward 7. Peter Wallace 8. Brent Kite 9. Kevin Kingston 10. Nigel Plum 11. Lewis Brown 12. Elijah Taylor 13. Adam Docker 14. James Segeyaro 15. Jeremy Latimore 16. Tyrone Peachey 17. Sam McKendry