NRL draw 2024: Storm to put week one unbeaten streak on the line, Anzac day clash with Warriors scrapped

NZ Herald

13 Nov, 2023 03:44 AM3 mins to read

Cameron Munster and the Storm will be putting their streak on the line. Photo / Getty Images

You would have to examine records dating back to 2001 to find the Melbourne Storm at 0-1 to start an NRL season.

The Storm will put 23 years of winning their first match of the season on the line when they host the defending premier Penrith Panthers in round one.

The Melburnians nearly had their streak ended last season by the Eels, but for a Harry Grant try in golden point, and will look to continue it with the most difficult task in the NRL - beating the Panthers.

The Panthers have won five of the past six meetings between the two sides and beat the Storm three times this year, including a 38-4 hiding in the preliminary final.

Working in the Storm’s favour is the fact they will be playing at home at AAMI Park. They may also be banking on a rusty Panthers side who will have had a long journey home from the World Club Challenge in England.

Not only will Melbourne be once again putting their unprecedented streak on the line, but the draw has revealed they will not be playing the Warriors in the traditional Anzac Day fixture - just the third time since 2009 that the fixture has been scrapped.

The Warriors do finally get to host the marquee event, this time against the Gold Coast Titans, with the Storm to face the Rabbitohs later that night after the Dragons and Roosters play at Allianz Stadium.

That aspect of the draw will be pleasing for the Storm - the Rabbitohs are winless from 11 attempts at AAMI Park.

This highly anticipated Anzac Day fixture is one of the 10 games lined up for the Warriors at their home ground. It’s a nostalgic throwback to the 2015 clash that commemorated the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Gallipoli.