The Fortress again showed cracks but held firm as Melbourne escaped with a 16-14 win over Penrith in their NRL clash on Saturday night.

Once almost unbeatable at home, the Storm held off the hungry Panthers to maintain their impressive record of only four losses in 46 matches at Olympic Park.

The last time they lost two straight at their home ground, which they dubbed The Fortress and others have called The Graveyard, was back in 2005.

Penrith, on a roll after toppling Wests Tigers and defending premiers Manly, showed no fear after seeing the Gold Coast run out shock winners in Melbourne last weekend.

While the Storm began with purpose after their slow start proved costly last round, the Panthers got the early points through a try to Brad Tighe against the run of play.

The visitors seemed to have an answer for any attacking questions posed by Melbourne.

James Maloney made his NRL debut at five-eighth as Storm coach Craig Bellamy looked for another way to play Greg Inglis in the centres while keeping Cameron Smith at hooker.

The 22-year-old held his own, however proved no miracle cure to the Storm's early season woes.

Smith ensured his side went into the sheds level at 6-6 when he found Billy Slater after a dart from dummy half.

They increased that to 12-6 six minutes into the second half when Anthony Quinn leapt high to take a Cooper Cronk bomb - only their second try from a kick this season.

But after a Smith penalty goal the Panthers clawed their way back when Luke Lewis found a hole in some flimsy defence with promising five-eighth Wade Graham throwing the final pass.

Michael Gordon added the extras to close the gap to 14-12.

The Panthers then tied up the match with a successful penalty goal after centre Storm Will Chambers was put on report for a dangerous tackle on Lachlan Coote, with the fullback leaving the field clutching his jaw.

But with 19 minutes remaining the home side again took the lead when Lewis, who otherwise had an impressive match, was ruled to have taken out Slater as he chased a Cronk kick for a try.

Penrith coach Matt Elliott said refereeing decisions contributed to his side's loss.

With 10 minutes remaining a try was called back for a forward pass, while the coach also questioned two penalties against his side awarded in front of the goal posts, the last giving Melbourne their game-winning lead.

He said it was the second time his side had lost a match due to poor refereeing, also citing the Bulldogs game.

"I'm peeved," Elliott said.

"For the second time this year the result of our game was decided by decisions outside our control."

Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy made the extraordinary admission after the match that his side's attacking problems were his fault.

"I can't ask too much more of the guys' effort, with our attack at the moment ... we're still struggling but that's more my problem than the players," Bellamy said.

"I'm not coaching them well enough."

Bellamy said his side hadn't adjusted to the speed of the game under the two referees and he needed to "change his mindset".

"The game has changed a little bit, perhaps I didn't realise how much so I need to get a bit wiser," he said.

"It's a bit quicker game and the 10s have shortened up a bit ... after watching this game there's a few things where I need to change my mentality."

He said Chambers' tackle didn't look good.

"It was a good strong tackle but because he went so high in the air and his legs went up it didn't look so good but his landing spot was on his shoulder or back so I don't know whether there's going to be too much problem with it."

Coote, who returned to the field, also injured his neck although he wasn't expected to miss next round.

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