Tigers aim to defy Storm's NRL record

Before a ball has even been kicked in their NRL season opener against Melbourne, the Wests Tigers are aware that they already face an uphill battle.

The two sides get their campaign underway on Saturday night with history firmly on the Storm's side.

Since he took over as head coach of Melbourne in 2003, Craig Bellamy has never lost a season opener.

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And if Bellamy's 0 is ever to go, then it might be at CommBank Stadium.

Bellamy will be missing Harry Grant and Cameron Munster due to suspension and adjusting to life without Josh Addo-Carr, Dale Finucane and Nicho Hynes may take time.

"They've got a few players out and that's lucky for us," new recruit Tyrone Peachey said.

"We have to take advantage of that because they were really good over the trials.

"I watched their games and they've got a big forward pack.

"They haven't lost the first round in years. It would be pretty special to get that win and we've got to have a good week of preparation."

The Tigers will be without James Tamou through suspension and Adam Doueihi due to injury while Luciano Leilua missed Monday's session with a stomach bug.

Peachey, Jackson Hastings and English international Oliver Gildart have been the club's best off-season recruits but their biggest signing might be one of their new defence coach.

"We've added Nathan Cayless from the Roosters," towering winger Ken Maumalo, whose debut for the Tigers last year was a baptism of fire in a 66-16 loss to the Storm, said.

"Him being successful and coming into this club has been massive.

"They're tough opposition but we're ready to compete."

Maumalo, Peachey, Doueihi, Tamou and halfback Luke Brooks make up the club's new five-man