Melbourne hooker Harry Grant scores in golden point extra time for a 16-12 victory over the Eels

Melbourne hooker Harry Grant scores in golden point extra time for a 16-12 victory over the Eels

The unbelievable Melbourne round-one record continues after hooker Harry Grant broke Parramatta hearts in golden-point extra-time with an 84th-minute try for a 16-12 victory for Melbourne, their 19th straight round-one win.

The scores were locked up at 12-all after 80 minutes, including two missed field-goal attempts by Mitch Moses and Cameron Munster inside the final five minutes.

Moses struck the ball from 20m but his kick was charged down by one of the three Storm big men who showed tremendous desperation with only three minutes left on the clock.

Both teams did well to still be standing in what could only be described as a high-quality contest for a season opener.

Munster was brave after suffering a dislocated finger in his right hand.

He reeled out of a tackle on Clint Gutherson in the 28th minute, then hung around to try and stop Matt Doorey the next play before coming from the field.

He got through the rest of the game, and when referee Ashley Klein asked him before golden-point started about how his finger was, Munster said: “F—ed.”

The Storm host the Bulldogs next weekend while Parramatta back up next Thursday against Cronulla who will be sweating on the return of Nicho Hynes.

At 7pm tonight the Warriors will face the Knights while the Panthers will play the Broncos at 9.05pm.

Source: Sydney Morning Herald

Round 1

DateTimeTeamTeamThur 02 MarFull Time Eels12 – 16StormFri 03 Mar7:00PMWarriors – KnightsFri 03 Mar9:05PMPanthers – BroncosSat 04 Mar4:00PMSea Eagles – BulldogsSat 04 Mar6:30PMCowboys – RaidersSat 04 Mar8:35PMSharks – RabbitohsSun 05 Mar5:05PMDolphins – RoostersSun 05 Mar7:15PMWest Tigers – TitansClick here for full fixtures