NRL fans have made the most of three-time defending champions Penrith Panthers’ 8-0 loss to the Melbourne Storm in the opening round of the season.

The Panthers have been the dominant force in rugby league in recent times, and as Australians are want to do, the tall poppy syndrome has kicked right in.

A tireless Storm defended for their lives to take down the reigning champions without star five-eighth Cameron Munster.

While the match was sloppy at times the low scoring nature left the final result in doubt until just before full-time.

The Storm’s historically impeccable defensive reputation came into question last season and it was in sharp focus over the summer after giving up 38 points to the Panthers in last year’s preliminary final.

But any questions have been answered by Craig Bellamy’s men as his perfect 22-year round one record remains intact.

Time after time, the Panthers asked questions of the Storm, particularly in the second half when they pounded their defence, but the home side put up a brick wall to produce one of their great defensive displays in recent times, incredibly holding the visitors scoreless.

The result means the last three times the Panthers have been kept scoreless, it was against the Storm — Round 13 2015, Round 22 2022 and Round 1 2024.

A second half try to Reimis Smith gave the Storm the breathing space they needed to clinch an upset victory.

While the Panthers’ defence only let in the one try, fans’ long-suffering at the hands of the Panthers gave them the chance to kick the side while they were down.

Several fans were quick to declare: “Panthers are done for 2024!”

A second fan wrote: “Panthers to miss the 8 this year I think. Losing so many key players year on year to catch up with them.”

Another wrote: “Panthers either are just off it tonight or they are just stinky.”

Another joked: “Fact: The Penrith Panthers have scored the same amount of points in NRL 2024 as the Wests Tigers … who had a bye.”

Another posted: “Well done Storm. Who doesn’t love a sad Panther?”

But fans wanting to get a kick in may have to get it in quickly — recent history says it won’t take long for the Panthers to get back firing.

After losing last year’s World Club Challenge, the Panthers lost two of their first three matches but lost just four more all season, eventually winning the grand final in one of the greatest comebacks ever seen.

Speaking on Fox League, Michael Ennis said there were no worries for the Panthers.

“Eight points to nil, clearly their defensive standards are holding up again,” Ennis said.

“And they build their season on those standards.

“They were slow to start last year as well. They’ve had some big changes to their side. Like last year, they lost the World Club Challenge over here at home, then I think they won one of their first three games. No Koroisau, no Kikau and you’re starting to go okay, maybe they’re starting to come back to the pack.

“And they just put their building blocks in place, build their confidence through their defensive systems, through their patterns. Their attack find its flow as the months start to go on.

“I’ve got no concerns about Penrith and where they’re going to get to at the end of the year.”

James Graham agreed that the Panthers “will get their rhythm back”.

With matches against the Eels, Roosters, Broncos and Sea Eagles before their first bye, Graham said it was “a really tough first month of football”.

“But they’re well equipped to handle it,” Graham added.

So rejoicing fans better enjoy getting their licks in while it lasts — the Panthers are far from done in 2024.