Penrith Panthers 10
Some faces have changed, but Melbourne showed they are still the toughest NRL team to beat with a 25-10 win over a gallant Panthers side at Penrith on Sunday.
After their two premierships were stripped from them following salary cap breaches last year, the Storm were forced to offload a host of stars, such as Greg Inglis and Dallas Johnson.
But the new names - five-eighth Gareth Widdop, prop Jesse Bromwich and backrower Kevin Proctor- were all outstanding against the Panthers and will ensure Craig Bellamy's 2011 vintage are one of the sides to watch.
England international Widdop set up the opening try in the 10th minute, hauling in a Bromwich offload and racing 50 metres before handing off for Cooper Cronk to touch down under the posts.
The Panthers, who have struggled at home this season, losing three of their four games at Centrebet Stadium, enjoyed plenty of possession in the first half, but were unable to breach a well-drilled Storm defence.
However, a moment of magic from Sandor Earl had the home crowd of 11,137 on their feet when he ran 98 metres to score after soaring high to grab a Widdop bomb just in front of his own tryline.
The Storm had the final say of the opening stanza when Cameron Smith booted over a penalty goal to open up an 8-6 lead at the interval.
Matt Elliot started the second period well, with Michael Gordon making some good inroads from fullback.
However, with the home side camped on the Storm tryline, it was the visitors who extended their lead in the 52nd minute after the Panthers coughed up the ball.
Widdop then broke free again, handed off to Billy Slater who outpaced the Panthers' defence to score his 116th try in Storm colours, with Cronk next increasing the lead with a field goal.
Huge hits from Timana Tahu on Storm prop Bryan Norrie and Todd Lowrie on David Simmons lifted the crowd.
But the Storm sealed the win when winger Matt Duffie darted over in the corner following a mistake from Earl. Smith added the extras.
Bryan Norrie ran in a fourth try for Bellamy's side before Tahu scored his first for the Panthers in the dying minutes, giving his team a deserved consolation.
Melbourne 25 (C Cronk M Duffie B Norrie B Slater tries C Smith 4 goals C Cronk field goal) bt Penrith 10 (S Earl T Tahu tries M Gordon goal) at Centrebet Stadium. Referee: Ben Cummins, Chris James. Crowd: 11,137.
- AAP
