With the โ€˜hit and giggle' trail matches and the arduous pre-season training regimes now behind each team, fans, coaches, and players alike have set their sights on the real deal โ€“ Round 1.

For some clubs, the pre-season period could not have panned out better, whilst the unlucky remainder will be counting the cost of their campaigns.

Although there were a myriad of positives to be taken from the summer months, all teams will be striving to improve on their trail match form and learn from the lessons dealt out across them.

With the first spin of the Steeden within touching distance, we raise the big question that face each of the NRL's 16 clubs.

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Melbourne Storm

Can Bellamy's boys maintain their impeccable Round 1 record?

Since beginning his purple reign ahead of the 2003 season, Storm master coach Craig Bellamy is yet to lose an opening round clash.

In fact, you would have to travel back to 2001, a season in which Melbourne finished outside of the eight, to find the last time the Storm stumbled at the first hurdle โ€“ a 14-10 loss to the Bulldogs under the roof of the then Colonial Stadium.

To put this spectacular streak into perspective, the Storm's newest recruit โ€“ Dean Ieremia โ€“ wasn't even born yet.

If Bellamy and his band of reigning Premiers is to keep said streak alive, they will have to do so without many of their Grand Final team from last season and against the side that is tipped to take their crown in 2021 โ€“ the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

Bellamy will be without future immortal Cameron Smith, starting hooker Harry Grant, blistering back rower Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, co-captain Dale Finucane, speedster Suliasi Vunivalu and journeyman Brenko Lee.

Despite this, it would be a brave punter to tip against Bellamy, as he has proven time and again he is Rugby League's greatest plumber, with his ability to plug gaps and seal leaks swiftly.

 

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