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Storm embracing NRL title favouritism
Melissa Woods, AAP • March 14th, 2025 10:54 am
Photo: Joel Carrett/AAP
Star fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen feels his Melbourne team is "leaning in" to their NRL title favouritism, saying the Storm deserve it with the quality of players in their line-up.
The Storm got their season off to a flyer in round one in Melbourne, running in 10 tries in a 56-18 demolition of Parramatta.
After a rugged run with injury, Papenhyuzen was one of the stand-outs, using his blistering speed to shed the defence to score two tries while racking up a game-high three line-breaks.
The Storm underlined their premiership credentials with a huge opening win over the Eels | Photo: Joel Carrett/AAP
While Melbourne were outplayed in last year's grand final by Penrith, who banked their fourth successive premiership, the Storm are the betting favourites to go all the way this year.
The recruitment of exciting young prop Stefano Utoikamanu has given Melbourne another heavy hitter alongside Nelson Asofa-Solomona, who missed the grand final through suspension.
Coach Craig Bellamy has sung the praises of centre Jack Howarth, saying the 22-year-old has had his best pre-season since being at the club with the youngster racking up 232-run metres in 19 runs against the Eels.
They also boast the best spine in the competition with five-eighth Cameron Munster lighter and quicker than he has been in years after successful off-season hip surgery.
Papenhuyzen told AAP his team wasn't shying away from the tag of favourites.
"You've got to lean into it, you've got to acknowledge that yeah, we probably deserve that title, we've got a really strong side and we didn't play our best footy in the grand final last year," the 26-year-old said.
"I think we acknowledge it and lean in but still be mindful that there's a lot of other teams in the competition."
With a second-round bye, the Storm next host Penrith at AAMI Park on Thursday week, with Kiwi international Asofa-Solomona back on deck after his five-game ban.
Melbourne were denied another premiership by Penrith, who celebrated their fourth straight title | Photo: Mark Evans/AAP
Papenhuyzen said they weren't fixated on the Panthers and the grand -final result, but would take lessons from the 2024 title decider to help prepare for the next clash.
"You look back to learn the lessons but we know what footy they play and we know what they're going to come out and give so we've got to prepare for that," he said.
"I think you do all the work during the week and then you've just got to come out and try to be as present as you can and respond to what's happening out there so we'll have our plans, but at the same time we've got to be able to adapt if the game's not going the way we think.
"It's been a big theme for us this year so I'm sure it'll be no different."
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