The NRL season has kicked off with a bang with the Melbourne Storm running riot at AAMI Park to whet the appetites of footy fans after a particularly gruelling summer.
Brisbane crumbled under the pressure of the league heavyweights in the first half, going without a try as the Storm ferociously defended their 17-year first round winning streak.
An initial botched pass near the line in the Storm's first set suggested the home side were taking their time warming into the season. But a sensational collection of offloads on the left flank saw the Storm over the line with fullback Jahrome Hughes doing the damage.
The 24-year-old had big shoes to fill after the departure of club legend Billy Slater and didn't disappoint with the first try of the season in the first five minutes. Veteran hooker Cameron Smith scrambled his first conversion and couldn't add the two from the sideline.
Controversial Brisbane prop Matt Lodge was in hot water early after taking out kicker Cameron Munster's legs at the end of a Storm set. The 23-year-old was subsequently booed by the fiery Melbourne crowd as he copped the first penalty of the season.