With many tipping them as top four prospects, the Penrith Panthers have been blown off the park by the Melbourne Storm in Bathurst.
In cold conditions in Bathurst, it was the Storm who ended up running away with the contest 32-2.
It was also a night to forget for Panthers fullback Dylan Edwards who made six errors in total.
It was actually Penrith who took the lead courtesy of a penalty goal, as they looked to pepper the Storm line.
For much of the opening stanza, they were camped in the Storm half yet were unable to crack a resilient Storm defence.
It was all about Cameron Munster and his hat-trick of steals, in addition to his try, the first of the match.
It was not without a touch of controversy, with winger Josh Addo-Carr seemingly bumping his opposite winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak out of the way.
Edwards third error of the night then led to another Storm try with Brodie Croft following through to scoop up and score.
Two further Storm tries ensued; one to Addo-Carr who finished off a left-side play and a first NRL try for Marion Seve.
Just to rub salt into the growing wound, Jesse Bromwich bustled his way over to score.
Melbourne roll on as the win marks the seventh time in ten seasons that the Storm have won their opening three games of a season.
Penrith coach Ivan Cleary is concerned with how poorly his side is playing.
“Just all parts of our game I thought were just inept… I’m concerned, definitely,” he said.
“Just way too many fundamental errors, which makes all life difficult.”
There was nothing but praise for Munster from coach Craig Bellamy.
“He is a bit creative as well. He tries things,” the veteran coach said.
“Sometimes you’ve just got to play the high percentages.
“But that’s what you like about him too.
“He’s always thinking about the game, he’s very smart, he’s very clever as everyone can see.”
NRL News Player of the Game
3. Cameron Munster
2. Jesse Bromwich
- Marion Seve