The St George Illawarra Dragons were defeated 44-24 by the Melbourne Storm at Sunshine Coast Stadium, Kawana Waters on Sunday.
The Young Dragons scored four tries in the loss including a double to centre Reuben Garrick and four conversions by winger Paora Kemp but it was not enough for the points.
Head Coach Mat Head had opted to stick with the line-up announced midweek which meant the services of utility Max Bailey were not required for the opening round fixture.
The decision had seemed to pay off with the visitors scoring their four converted tries within the first 25 minutes of play.
Dragons centre Reuben Garrick was the first over the line in the opening minutes of play with a darting run which saw him slide over for the four-points.
Dragons winger Paora Kemp followed-up with his conversion to make it 6-0.
The visitors continued their charge forward and saw them double their lead through fullback Matt Dufty just shy of the ten-minute mark.
Kemp again converted to make it 12-0.
Garrick crossed the stripe to bag his double of the afternoon in the ensuing minutes before fellow centre Izaac Thompson etched his name onto the scoresheet.
Kemp converted both attempts to make it 24-0.
However, from here on in the hosts turned the game on its head and ran-in 44 unanswered points to seize victory come the final whistle,
St George Illawarra Dragons 24. Tries: Garrick (2), Dufty, Thompson. Goals: Kemp (4/4).
Melbourne Storm 44.
