A serious Christian Welch injury has soured the Melbourne Storm's 26-16 comeback win over the Wests Tigers at the Western Sydney Stadium.
In earlier matches on Saturday, Newcastle scored an upset 20-6 victory over the Sydney Roosters at the SCG and St George Illawarra defeated the Warriors 28-16 on the Sunshine Coast.
Against the Wests Tigers, Jahrome Hughes starred as the Storm fought back from 14-6 down midway through the second half to avoid a loss in the opening round for the first time since 2001.
But the win did little to overshadow a nightmare injury toll for the Storm, with Welch, Robert Jennings and Brandon Smith all forced from the field.
The tone was set early in the match when Smith suffered a suspected fractured hand that will likely rule him out for around a month.
Jennings then followed with what is suspected to be a season-ending torn ACL, before Welch limped off in the final minutes with fears of a ruptured Achilles tendon.
Trent Loiero could find himself in trouble for a cannonball tackle that felled Luciano Leilua early in the first half, with the Storm forward lucky not to be sent to the sin-bin.
If not for Hughes and a dominant 10-minute period in the second half, the night could have been a lot worse for the Storm.
The halfback had his first big moment in the 58th minute when he stepped past five Tigers defenders from 10 metres out to score a brilliant try, with the conversion drawing the Storm level at 16-16 after an earlier Loiero try.
Hughes was at it again eight minutes later, breaking through from dummy-half out of his own end to put the Storm on the attack.
From the next play, Justin Olam put Xavier Coates clear to sensationally score his first Storm try on his 21st birthday to give the visitors the lead.
Ryan Papenhuyzen then finished the job by grubbering and offloading in the same play for Reimis Smith to score and seal the match.
Ken Maumalo scored a double for the Tigers, with David Nofoaluma also posting a four-pointer for the home side.
Roosters outclassed by Knights
The Roosters were restricted to just one try in their defeat at the hands of the Knights.
The Knights scored four tries themselves and if it had not been for a late four-pointer to Paul Momirovski, it would have been a complete humiliation for Trent Robinson's Roosters.
The Roosters were supposed to be a force to be reckoned with following the return of several stars after long-term injuries, including Luke Keary and Joey Manu.
Their cause was not helped when versatile lock Victor Radley was placed on report for a crusher tackle in the 23rd minute and then went off in the 25th minute for an HIA.
Radley had tackled Knights five-eighth Jake Clifford head-on and initially stayed out on the field, but doctors said he soon displayed obvious symptoms of concussion.
With oft-injured centre Billy Smith failing his HIA in the 53rd minute, the Roosters' matchday squad was down to 15 players.
Knights fans were on their feet when Dane Gagai — returning to the club he spent six seasons with before a stint with South Sydney — strolled over unmarked for the first try, which was converted by Clifford.
A fend and flick pass from Bradman Best put winger Enari Tuala over for the Knights' second try in the 32nd minute to make the score 10-0.
A Sam Walker penalty goal just seconds before half-time avoided the embarrassment of a scoreless half for the Roosters to start their 2022 campaign.
Clifford scored the Knights' third try in the 56th minute, scooping up loose ball and racing 40 metres to score under the posts.
His conversion gave the visitors a 16-2 lead.
The Roosters were not able to capitalise on the Knights being reduced to 12 men when Phoenix Crossland was sin-binned for a professional foul for holding back Walker.
Winger Daniel Tupou did get close in the left corner but the touchline and the defence of his opposite Dominic Young ended any hope.
Then minutes later it was Young's attack — an aerobatic leap just shy of the corner post — that gave the Knights their fourth try and put the match beyond doubt.
Momirovski scored his consolation try for the Roosters with four minutes left on the clock.
Dragons too strong for Warriors
A hat-trick from Fijian powerhouse Mikaele Ravalawa inspired St George Illawarra's win over the Warriors in their season opener.
The Dragons snapped an eight-match losing streak stretching back to last year as they defied a Shaun Johnson-inspired Warriors side to run out five tries to three victors.
They started the game at Sunshine Coast Stadium breathing fire, only for returning prodigal son Johnson to help the Warriors take the lead 16-14 early in the second half.
But Ravalawa sealed his hat-trick with back-to-back tries in the 57th and 66th minutes.
When Moses Mbye crashed over in the 74th minute — after a bust by exciting fullback Tyrell Sloan — Dragons coach Anthony Griffin was breathing easy.
Jack Bird also crossed for a Dragons try.
The Dragons' 2021 finals chances slipped through their grasp in the fallout over a now-infamous team barbecue.
But now there are encouraging signs after notching the win without Tariq Sims (calf), Jayden Sullivan (hamstring), Josh McGuire and Tyrell Fuimaono (both suspension) and George Burgess.
They built on a strong preseason that featured wins over Parramatta and a Charity Shield triumph over South Sydney.
Recruits Mbye, Aaron Woods, Jaydn Su'A, Francis Molo, Moses Suli and Jack Gosiewski all impressed in their official Dragons club debut.
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Wayde Egan and Eliesa Katoa scored tries for the Warriors.
