The last time the Panthers lost a grand final was way back in 2020 at the hands of the Storm and they have well and truly set the record since then with three premierships on the bounce.
The last time the Storm lost a Round 1 game was 2001, with Craig Bellamy never having lost an opening round match in his remarkable two-decade reign as head coach.
After being pushed to golden point by the Eels in Round 1 last year, the Storm again face a massive task if they are to keep the streak going, welcoming the back-to-back-to-back premiers to AAMI Park.
Coming off the back of a heartbreaking and controversial loss to Wigan in the World Club Challenge, the Panthers will look to hit back hard and make an early statement as they look to the first team since St George in the 50s and 60s to win four titles in a row.
The welcome at AAMI Park is sure to be a hostile one as the Storm defend their turf and their outrageous Round 1 record against the NRL's benchmark side.
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Team News
Storm: Jonah Pezet has been called in at five-eighth to replace Cameron Munster (groin), who was ruled out on Thursday. Joe Chan has earned a starting role in Melbourne's competitive back row, with Trent Loiero moving to lock and new recruit Shawn Blore listed as 18th man. Ryan Papenhuyzen is back in the No.1 jersey after an incident-free few months on the injury front. No further changes on game day. Kane Bradley is 18th man.
Panthers: No changes on game day. Tyrone Peachey dropped out of the side in Thursday's 24-hour update with Soni Luke joining the bench. Jarome Luai will play his first game since being injured midway through last year’s grand final victory, while Sunia Turuva is set to line up on the wing after being injured in the World Club Challenge last month. Taylan May gets first crack at filling the centre void created by Stephen Crichton’s departure. Daine Laurie is 18th man.
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Stat Attack
- The Storm have not lost a Round 1 game since 2001.
- The Panthers have won only one of their eight games at AAMI Park.
- Storm winger Xavier Coates has scored 23 tries in 18 games at AAMI Park.
- Panthers prop Moses Leota will play his 100th NRL game.
- Storm coach Craig Bellamy will surpass Wayne Bennett’s record for most consecutive seasons as coach of a single club (22).
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Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the .