Storm vs Panthers Round 1 Tips, Prediction & Preview

Andrew Hendrie:
Storm vs Panthers Tips

Penrith Panthers begin their pursuit of a fourth straight premiership when they face the Melbourne Storm at AAMI Park on Friday night.

Panthers vs Storm Tips, Predictions & Preview

Melbourne Storm vs Penrith Panthers free NRL betting tips, predictions and preview – Storm haven’t lost a Round 1 game since 2001…

Melbourne Storm vs Penrith Panthers H2H Prediction

Best Storm win H2H odds $2.35 with Dabble

  • Panthers have won just one of their last eight games at AAMI Park
  • Panthers lost two of their first three games of 2023
  • Storm haven’t lost a Round 1 game since 2001
  • Craig Bellamy has never lost a Round 1 game in his coaching career
  • Xavier Coates has scored 23 tries in 18 games at AAMI Park
  • Brian To’o has scored at least one try in 10 of his last 12 games
  • Will Warbrick has scored a try in his last three home games

Melbourne Storm vs Penrith Panthers Tips

Melbourne Storm vs Penrith Panthers Same Game Multi Tips

Melbourne Storm vs Penrith Panthers Match Details

🇦🇺 Competition: NRL
📅 Date: Friday March 8 (AEDT)
⏰ Time: 8.05pm AEDT
🏟️ Stadium: AAMI Park (Melbourne)

Melbourne Storm vs Penrith Panthers Head to Head

  • 22/9/23: Panthers 38-4 Storm
  • 4/8/23: Panthers 26-6 Storm
  • 30/6/23: Storm 16-34 Panthers
  • 11/8/22: Panthers 0-16 Storm
  • 14/5/22: Storm 6-32 Panthers

Melbourne Storm vs Penrith Panthers Preview & Prediction

Arguably the biggest opening round game of the season pits traditional heavyweights the Storm up against three-time reigning premiers the Panthers on Friday night at AAMI Park.

Penrith dominated Melbourne in three meetings in 2023, prevailing by 34-16, 26-6 and 38-4 scores, ultimately going on to secure a third premiership in as many seasons with a miraculous comeback victory over the Broncos in the Grand Final.

Can the Panthers maintain their level and make it four premierships on the bounce? Quite possibly, but this is a very tough first assignment, despite their dominance from last year.

The Panthers lost two of their first three games of last season and are coming off a World Club Challenge defeat in the UK against Wigan a fortnight ago. Could another slow start be on the cards/

Craig Bellamy’s record in Round 1 matches is second to none – the super coach has never lost a season opener in his two-decade stint in charge of the Storm.

Ryan Papenhuyzen returns at fullback after missing the better part of the last two years through injury, while Cameron Munster has been named at five-eighth. With Jahrome Hughes and Harry Grant, the Storm are equipped with arguably the most lethal spine in the competition.

VERDICT:

Going to fade the Panthers in Round 1 – as mentioned, they started slowly last year and it can be tough to find the motivation so early in the season after their exploits from the last three years.

Penrith have also won just one of their eight games at AAMI Park. Bellamy has never lost a Round 1 with the Storm and their team, especially the spine, looks very strong. Backing Melbourne in a tight one (Best Storm win H2H odds $2.35 with Dabble.)

Melbourne Storm vs Penrith Panthers Teams

Storm team: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. William Warbrick 3. Reimis Smith 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Joe Chan 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Christian Welch 16. Chris Lewis 17. Alec MacDonald 18. Shawn Blore 19. Kane Bradley 20. Jonah Pezet 21. Marion Seve 22. Sualauvi Faalogo

Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Taylan May 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Luke Sommerton 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Luke Garner 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Tyrone Peachey 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Liam Henry 17. Matt Eisenhuth 18. Daine Laurie 19. Soni Luke 20. Brad Schneider 21. Preston Riki 22. Mavrik Geyer

Melbourne Storm vs Penrith Panthers Stats

  • Panthers have won just one of their last eight games at AAMI Park
  • Panthers lost two of their first three games of 2023
  • Storm haven’t lost a Round 1 game since 2001
  • Craig Bellamy has never lost a Round 1 game in his coaching career
  • Xavier Coates has scored 23 tries in 18 games at AAMI Park
  • Brian To’o has scored at least one try in 10 of his last 12 games
  • Will Warbrick has scored a try in his last three home games

Melbourne Storm vs Penrith Panthers Best Bet

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