MELBOURNE extended their run of round one wins to 24 years with a commanding victory over courtroom rivals Parramatta at AAMI Park.
The Victorian franchise has not lost an opening round match since 2001 and there was no doubt the purple patch would continue by halftime in a 52-4 demolition.
But it was Parramatta – down to 12 men following the sin bin dismissal of J’maine Hopgood – who scored first fourth minute.
Hooker Harry Grant tendered a superlative performance, scoring two tries before coming off with 20 minutes remaining due to a hamstring twinge which Storm medical staff diagnosed as only a cramp.
“To be fair, it was probably spoken about a little because it was gonna be there as a bit of noise,” the Australia hooker said of the amazing run, which included one bye.
“There’s a lot of old boys sitting at home knowing that they’ve contributed to that as a part of the history of the club … hopefully they can be pretty proud that it’s still rolling.”
Hopgood caught Melbourne lock Alec MacDonald high, forcing him off, and was also placed on report by referee Todd Smith.
But Craig Bellamy’s men soon clicked into gear, galloping towards a win to mirror their legal success over the Eels over Zac Lomax.
Winger Will Warbrick executed an athletic one-handed putdown in the right corner at 10 minutes, Sean Meaney’s conversion grazing the right upright as it went through.
Hooker Harry Grant’s touchdown not long after was worryingly straightforward for Parramatta coach Jason Ryles. He plucked the ball from dummy-half and trotted 30 metres through the centre of the Eels defence.
Next up, centre Jack Howarth beat his opposite man Brian Kelly with footwork and brute strength.
And after leading 18-4 for halftime, Storm halfback Jarome Hughes got his third try assist as he put second rower Joe Chan over. Another few minutes, and Grant got his second.
Next in line as Parramatta struggled to plug gaps was centre Moses Leo, with more than a quarter of the game remaining. The procession continues with tries to Sua Faalogo (63rd minute), Ati Lisati (66).
The Eels had a second player sent to the sin bin, Bailey Simonsson, in the 66th minute. It was their coach Jason Ryles’ worst loss as a coach.
Melbourne put a cherry on it with Smith’s replacement, Tyran Wishart, setting up Sua Faalogo.
Ryles said the Eels would have to have “a big schooner of reality and move on”.
“They’ve got three of the Test spine there and if you give them that much of an opportunity and don’t tackle well, you get what you deserve,” said Ryles.
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MELBOURNE 52 (Grant 2 Faalogo 2 Warbrick Howarth Chan Lisati tries Meaney 8 goals) beat PARRAMATTA 4 (Russell try) at AAMI Park.
MELBOURNE: Sua Faalogo; Will Warbrick, Jack Howarth, Moses Leo, Nick Meaney; Cameron Munster, Jahrome Hughes; Stefano UtoiKomanu, Harry Grant (c), Josh King, Joe Chan, Ativalu Lisati, Alec MacDonald. Res: Tyran Wishart, Cooper Clarke, Tui Kamakamica, Davvy Moale, Preston Conn.
PARRAMATTA: Isaiah Iongi; Bailey Simonsson, Will Penisini, Brian Kelly, Sean Russell; Jonah Pezet, Mitchell Moses; J’Maine Hopgood, Ryley Smith, Junior Paulo, Jack Williams, Kitione Kautoga, Jack De Belin. Res: Dylan Walker, Matt Doorey, Tallyn Da Silva, Joash Papalii.
Referee: Todd Smith.