Reigning premiers Melbourne Storm will look to get their premiership defence off to the perfect start when they host St George Illawarra Dragons this afternoon. Join us for live scores and commentary from 3.00pm AEDT.
Melbourne yet again begin another season as premiership favourites after beating the Canterbury Bulldogs 14-4 in last year’s grand final.
It was a just reward for a club that has set new benchmarks for consistent excellence in the NRL and they will be heavily favoured to account for the Dragons today at their AAMI Park fortress.
The Storm already enter season 2013 on a high after winning the World Club Challenge in England in February.
In a tough contest, Melbourne beat the Leeds Rhinos 18-14 and should be physically ready to take on a tough Dragons side that will be very keen to rise to the occasion against the reigning premiers away from home.
Prediction
If there is one area where Melbourne can be vulnerable, it is up front, so expect the Dragons to keep things tight up the middle by completing their sets and playing for territory during the opening exchanges.
On the few occasions the Storm tasted defeat last season, they usually found themselves significantly outmuscled by bigger forward packs.
The Dragons certainly have size on their side this afternoon and will cause Melbourne problems if Michael Weyman, Mitch Rein, Dan Hunt, Bronson Harrison and Ben Creagh play well upfront.
If the Dragons do find themselves winning the arm wrestle, it is imperative halves Jamie Soward and Nathan Fien keep the Storm pinned with their respective kicking games.
The Storm are masters of dictating the tempo of play when given field position and subpar performances from Soward in particular will go a long way to handing victory to Melbourne.
While the Dragons will certainly know what to do with the football early on, it is what they do without it that will determine if they can cause the upset today.
St George Illawarra (like most teams) will have its hands full trying to contain Storm quartet Billy Slater, Cameron Smith, Gareth Widdop and Cooper Cronk.
Indeed stopping Smith, Slater, Widdop and Cronk from playing well in Melbourne ranks as the most difficult task to complete in the NRL.
The chemistry they share in attack is legendary and they invariably find a way to put any opposition to the sword when playing at home or away.
Regardless of the difficult task ahead, the Dragons do have an early opportunity to really gain momentum and confidence with a strong showing this afternoon.
With this in mind, expect the Dragons to give a solid account of themselves before eventually succumbing to the Storm in a tough contest.
Melbourne by 8.
Alan
Roar Guru
The Dragons have not beaten the Storm in Melbourne since 1999 and that record remains intact as Melbourne dished up a 30-10 victory over St George Illawarra today. The Storm were just a class above the Dragons today with usual superstars Smith, Cronk and Slater dominating for Melbourne. Widdop and O'Neill were also very good. The Dragons really didn't show much in attack today but kept themselves alive with tries to Soward and Nightingale against the run of play. Melbourne though were always in control and once again look like the team to beat in 2013. Thanks for your company today and join us later this evening for Sharks -Titans Storm 30 Dragons 10
Alan
Roar Guru
FULLTIME: Storm 30 Dragons 10
Alan
Roar Guru
Game has died down here but Melbourne really had this game won at halftime. Slater, Cronk, Smith and Widdop just possessed too much class for the Dragons to handle today Storm 30 Dragons 10
Alan
Roar Guru
Melbourne run it on the last and Chambers kicks in field but its a poor kick and the Dragons get possession back Storm 30 Dragons 10
Alan
Roar Guru
Rein with a bomb now and Fonua takes the football very well under pressure. Melbourne very safe as usual and will stroll to victory in the end Storm 30 Dragons 10
Alan
Roar Guru
Stanley now down injured here. Looks like a knee injury. Storm 30 Dragons 10
Alan
Roar Guru
Cronk with a driving kick but the football goes dead and the Dragons get the 20 metre tap. Game is over now with just minutes remaining Storm 30 Dragons 10
Alan
Roar Guru
Well Melbourne will open their account in style today and look on course yet again for another strong season. The Dragons have plenty to work on in attack this season. Storm 30 Dragons 10
Alan
Roar Guru
CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL - Smith converts with a cracking kick from the sideline Storm 30 Dragons 10 Melbourne haven't been at their best in the second half but they have been by far too classy for the Dragons.
Alan
Roar Guru
TRY STORM - Fonua scores a wonderful try for Melbourne as Hoffman once again produces a fine pass to Slater who then finds O'Neill who does well to find Fonua who scores Storm 28 Dragons 10
Alan
Roar Guru
Soward knocks on and Melbourne will go back on the attack and the Dragons chances are starting to evaporate here. Melbourne continue to dominate in a scrappy second half Storm 24 Dragons 10
Alan
Roar Guru
Hoffman so close to scoring but the Dragons drive him back. Smith with a grubber yet again and the Dragons manage to recover possession through Merrin. Dragons continue to hold on Storm 24 Dragons 10
Alan
Roar Guru
Smith with a grubber now and Widdop looked to be taken out there and Melbourne win the penalty. Dragons still under pressure Storm 24 Dragons 10
Alan
Roar Guru
Dragons now regather possession through Soward. Melbourne so quick with their counter punching and now the Dragons make an error. Storm to go back on the attack Storm 24 Dragons 10
Alan
Roar Guru
Just over 16,000 fans have attended today. Dragons on the attack here and Melbourne under pressure. Soward with a cross field bomb and Nightingale bats it back. Stanley with a grubber now but Fonua regathers and now Widdop finds Slater who is away who finds O'Neill. Storm with great counter attack! Storm 24 Dragons 10
Alan
Roar Guru
Soward with a nice grubber and Slater punches the football dead and Dragons win a line drop-out. Good kick from Soward and a try here for the Dragons should make things interesting Storm 24 Dragons 10
Alan
Roar Guru
Ah Mau with a great shot on Moors and he loses the football and the Dragons will get the ball back. Great shot from the big forward Storm 24 Dragons 10
Alan
Roar Guru
Fien with a bomb now and the referee rules that the Dragons have knocked on here and the Storm get away with one there as Slater looked to have touched the ball first there Storm 24 Dragons 10
Alan
Roar Guru
17 minutes to go here and Melbourne still on top despite conceding a try just minutes earlier. Cronk with a bomb and its gone dead. Storm 24 Dragons 10
Alan
Roar Guru
Harrison finds Beale who is almost through a gap here. Dragons over the halfway now. Prior with a good run now. Great set from the Dragons here as Soward bombs. Slater very good under the high ball and the Storm are off the hook. Good set though from the Dragons Storm 24 Dragons 10