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The Storm have not lost a round one game since 2001, when Chris Anderson was in charge. Since Bellamy arrived in 2003, they are a perfect 18-0 (they had a bye in round one, 2004).<\/p>\n
"The thing about this record is that they have a record of not only winning the first game but winning the last game," Sterling said, referencing the Storm's premiership success.<\/p>\n
"A lot of coaches actually bring their team through. They build through the year. Craig, he sets a standard from game one and they have an amazing ability to maintain that through the course of the year. There's very little between their best and worst games.<\/p>\n
"Craig Bellamy's off-seasons are notably difficult, they go through mental and physical torture. That sets the standard."<\/p>\n
Former premiership winning captain Paul Gallen praised the Storm's performance, but wasn't sure they could go all the way without Cameron Smith.<\/p>\n
MORE NRL NEWS:<\/strong> Desperate Manly swoop for bizarre signing<\/a><\/p>\n "He was the greatest player I've seen in my time, without a doubt," he told the Today show.<\/p>\n "He will be greatly missed by the Melbourne Storm … they can be there at the back end of the year but without Cameron Smith, I'm not sure they can go back to back.<\/p>\n "When times are tough in a game he can steer you through those periods."<\/p>\n Melbourne's opening half an hour against the Rabbitohs was incredible, blowing their fellow title contenders off the park with a 22-point blitz<\/a>.<\/p>\n "You contrast that to the Panthers and they started off with a good win yesterday, but they should have won by a lot more," Sterling said.<\/p>\n "You feel like they're content to just build into the season, don't you?"<\/p>\n Sterling said it was a fascinating contrast between last year's grand finalists, even though the Panthers ended up winning their game by a far bigger margin<\/a>.<\/p>\n "Looking at Penrith who I actually think can win the competition this year, and last year will put them in good stead to do so, I thought they were patient," he said.<\/p>\n "They should have led more than eight at half-time but they knew points would come. That is a sign of a side that know what they're doing.<\/p>\n "Any coach and player will tell you it's difficult to start a season flying and to keep start. Bart Cummings didn't start the campaign with a Melbourne Cup run, you build up, get the miles in the legs."<\/p>\n![\"NRL](\"https:\/\/vms-network-images-prod.s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com\/2021\/03\/348152\/pickerImage.jpg\")
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