Melbourne Storm

The Storm took the honours in both games in 2021 but the Raiders have fond memories of two emotion-charged wins in enemy territory at AAMI Park in round three, 2020 and also the 2019 qualifying final.

Based on last weekend's form it's hard to see the Raiders troubling the Storm, who dismantled the Bulldogs 44-0 a day after the Green Machine stalled in a 25-6 loss to Manly.

The Storm were able to absorb some early pressure before Ryan Papenhuyzen scored his first try in the 11th minute, set up by Xavier Coates.

Josh King profited from Harry Grant's grubber taking a friendly deflection and Kenny Bromwich scored the third and final try of the first half when he cut through out wide.

The floogates really started to open after half time as Papenhuyzen earned his second and third in short order, with Jahrome Hughes streaking away after scooping up a Matt Burton kick to hand the fullback his hat-trick.

While a Daly Cherry-Evans field goal sunk Canterbury at a sodden 4 Pines Park on Sunday night, the Storm dodged a similar fate when Mitch Moses's attempted one-pointer hit the post - only for forward Ray Stone to scoop up the loose ball and win the game with a try (sadly tearing an ACL in the process). 

Melbourne's third home game in as many weeks - after none since las April presents a great opportunity to return to the winners' circle.

James Hooper reports Munster, who has played for the Storm since 2014, has only been offered a two-year deal worth $800,000 a season representing a $400,000 pay cut on his current contract.

Hughes and Harry Grant, meanwhile, are set to sign multimillion-dollar extensions.

Munster is a potential target for Wayne Bennett’s Dolphins, but Ennis believes Hughes is the man that should make way for a spine of Munster, Papenhuyzen and Grant to remain.

Stone scored his second try of the match when he chased after a long range Mitchell Moses field goal attempt that bounced off the right upright and picked up the ball before diving over for the winning try.

The scores had been level at 12-12 at halftime and 24-24 at fulltime as both teams refused to let the other get on top in a contest worthy of a finals match rather than a round three clash.

Stone was only called on in the 58th minute after winger Bailey Simonsson suffered a head knock and he scored two tries playing at right centre to twice put the Eels ahead.

That was the only advice Craig Bellamy gave to Jason Ryles before he addressed the Melbourne Storm playing group for the first time in his role as an assistant to the NRL’s current longest serving head coach.

“I was petrified,” Ryles said. “There was Billy Slater, Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk in the room, and Craig was sitting there. I was just thinking, ‘what am I going to tell these guys’. But Craig never checked me, he never had a look at what I was presenting.

Leading 14-0 with 12 minutes to play the Storm conceded three quick tries to see their lead cut to two before a booming two-point field goal from 48 metres out by Latrell Mitchell sent the game to golden point.

Ryan Papenhuyzen then stepped up in the 84th minute to nail the field goal which handed the home side the win.

The Storm got the ball rolling in the 11th minute when Jahrome Hughes shrugged off Damian Cook's tackle and unloaded to Harry Grant who kicked across field for Xavier Coates to leap high and score in the corner.

Melbourne have kicked-off negotiations with Maroons duo Cameron Munster and Harry Grant, and premiership-winning halfback Jahrome Hughes.

Hughes’ management will arrive in Melbourne on Thursday to advance discussions on a club record six-year $5 million extension, according to News Corp.

Melbourne's stunning round one record looked in danger as they coped with the absences of Cam Munster and Harry Grant plus injuries to Brandon Smith, George Jennings and Christian Welch, but their class eventually shone through.

The Rabbitohs were lucklustre in their opening loss of the season but it's hardly panic stations given the absence of Latrell Mitchell and game-eve injury to his stand-in Blake Taaffe. 

Expect each side to be better this week as the Storm hunt a 2-0 start to the year and the Bunnies look to open their 2022 account.

After launching his career at the Broncos with 17 tries in 32 games since debuting as an 18-year-old in 2019, Coates has made the move south to join fellow PNG Kumul Olam in a star studded Storm backline.

"From the first session we did, Juzzy and I clicked straight away from our cultural background," Oates said.

"I am not really an aggressive sort of player but it’s good to have him next to me and it makes you feel comfortable and you trust him.