Melbourne Storm’s consistency remains, winning another NRL season opener even without Cameron Smith

Previously on, The NRL.

When we last left the Melbourne Storm in the 2020 grand final, they were coming within a whisker of surrendering a 22-point first-half lead to a team many expected to win the premiership.

In the 2021 season opener, exactly the same thing happened.

Considering the blinders played by Wally Lewis medallist Cameron Munster and Clive Churchill medallist Ryan Papenhuyzen in the 26-18 win over South Sydney on Thursday night — Melbourne’s 20th successive round one win — it really did feel like the end of 2020 all over again.

But it was the back half of the game that will trouble coach Craig Bellamy.

Fox…