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James Tedesco believes Luke Keary's move to halfback for Sydney Roosters can make him even better at fullback, after the No.1 starred in the NRL against Manly.
So, here we are, some 136 days after Cameron Smith hoisted the Telstra Premiership trophy skywards on seemingly the perfect stage on which to say goodbye, the Melbourne maestro has announced his retirement.
Just as he controlled the tempo of his 430 NRL games in Storm colours, Smith did so for his big announcement. He’d never been rushed or flustered on the field so why would he let anyone dictate terms to him now? I still felt like my form was good enough to play in the NRL but once I spent good quality time with my family up in Queensland, I knew the time was right to walk away, the 37-year-old said on Wednesday.
In many ways, the first game of the NRL season for the Storm was just like their last 19 season openers and the 2020 NRL grand final, but it was always going to feel strange without Cameron Smith.
Melbourne Storm beat South Sydney Rabbitohs 26-18 in NRL season opener
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ThuThursday 11
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ThuThursday 11
Ryan Papenhuyzen crossed twice in a stunning first half.
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The Melbourne Storm have kicked off their premiership defence in the same way they have started the past 20 seasons with victory, this time over South Sydney.
The Storm have won every round one game since 2001 and, just as they did in their last game, the 2020 grand final, jumped out to a 22-0 lead in the first half before letting their opposition back into the game on Thursday night.
But again, four second-half points were enough to get them home 26-18 over the Rabbitohs.