Anthony Griffin

The strong platform laid by their forwards for the full 80 minutes allowed Maloney to turn up the volume in game control. He scored 21 points out of the Panthers total of 33 through eight goals from eight attempts, a try, and a field goal.

Then you can throw in the two try assists as well.

Griffin was understandably happy with his halfback's performance, especilaly after losing regular No.7 Nathan Cleary to a serious knee just six days earlier.

In a fairly-even contest between the two sides, a late four-pointer to Roosters fullback Michael Gordon secured the win for the visitors, but Griffin said his men were out of luck after a number of 50-50 calls failed to go their way and a strong defensive effort was trumped by the Tri-colours.  

Long-term injuries to internationals Dean Whare and Peta Hiku handed Waqa Blake and Tyrone Peachey an extended run as the side's first-choice centre pairing in 2016, while Josh Mansour and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak nailed down a spot on either wing with skipper Matt Moylan anchoring the side at fullback.

Griffin was upset with the Panthers' first-half defensive efforts as the Storm were able to clear their lines too easily. 

"I thought we didn't have the 80 minutes of footy in us that we needed," Griffin said. 

"We started very well and in the second half we clawed our way back into the game physically, but over the whole 80 minutes we just weren't strong enough. 

"They got out of their end far too easily in the first half with penalties and our lack of defensive pressure.