Storm have extended their Round 1 win streak to 16 years after beating the Bulldogs 12-6 at a rain-soaked Belmore Sports Ground on Friday night.
The men in purple also snapped a six-game losing streak against Canterbury as they showed their defensive resolve has continued on in season 2017.
Melbourne made more than 30 tackles inside their own 20m line as they handled everything plus the kitchen sink from the Bulldogs.
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Josh Addo-Carr was simply brilliant in his Storm debut with a game-high 202 metres and five tackle busts.
You could not have asked for a better opening 10 minutes from Melbourne who burst out of the blocks with two early tries.
The first came courtesy of an assist from 150 gamer Will Chambers to Cheyse Blair as the centre-to-centre combination produced Storm’s first try of 2017 inside three minutes.
Melbourne’s next foray upfield produced more points, this time through the aerial route with Cooper Cronk’s chip kick falling straight into the hands of Suliasi Vunivalu.
Holding a 12-0 lead, Melbourne did not have it all their own way with star prop Jesse Bromwich leaving the field on 11 minutes with a hand injury.
The Bulldogs wrestled back momentum after a string of penalties and cut the deficit to six on the half hour mark.
Chambers and Sam Kasiano were both sin binned shortly before half-time after a scuffle but the score remained the same upon their return.
In fact the scorers had nothing to do in the second half as the torrential rain brought about a dour affair.
Storm stood tall though as the purple wall refused to be moved, ensuring the visitors returned south with two premiership points.
Melbourne Storm 12
Tries: Cheyse Blair, Suliasi Vunivalu
Goals: Cameron Smith 2
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 6
Tries: Josh Reynolds
Goals: Kerrod Holland
