The Melbourne Storm got their NRL premiership defence off to the right start at home last night with a 32-18 win over the Warriors.
The first half featured three tries for the Storm's flying fullback Billy Slater, and major injury setbacks for both sides.
The Melbourne second-rower Ryan Hoffman went off with a rib injury in the 17th minute, and three minutes later the Warriors suffered a huge blow when their skipper Steve Price departed with what appeared to be a serious hamstring tear.
The Warriors trailed only 16-12 at half-time, but Melbourne had the game in safe keeping midway through the second half.
Manu Vatuvei scored two tries for the Warriors, Jerome Ropati one and Michael Witt kicked three goals.
