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The clock is ticking for the Melbourne Storm to win another premiership with Cameron Smith, Billy Slater and Cooper Cronk, as retirement beckons for the Big Three.
Smith, Slater and Cronk headline one of the best rosters in the NRL with William Chambers, Jesse Bromwich, Tohu Harris, Kevin Proctor, Dale Finucane, Marika Koroibete and Cameron Munster also in the team.
Craig Bellamy’s time in charge also appears numbered, with just one year left on the premiership-winning coach’s contract.
The Storm will go into season 2016 as underdogs but by the end of the season, provided they have enough cover for the Origin period, the Melburnians will be in serious contention for the Provan-Summons Trophy – alongside premiership heavyweights the Brisbane Broncos and Sydney Roosters.
Last year’s preliminary finalists have a gruelling draw. They play five of last year’s seven finals teams and have been scheduled for two 5-day turnarounds, one of those against the Broncos.
They should benefit from a good start to the season with meetings against each of last year’s bottom four over the opening eight rounds, all of whom they will play both home and away in 2016.
The upcoming season could be the end of the Storm dynasty, which began when Bellamy took over from Mark Murray in 2003 and has seen them miss the finals only once, in 2010, as a result of being stripped of all points due to the salary cap scandal.
If there was ever a time for the Victorians to make one last premiership tilt, 2016 would be it.
Rookie watch
Joe Stimson is one to watch for the future. The lock forward played 33 games throughout 2014 and 2015.
Stimson will no doubt make his mark on the NRL when the opportunity arises and sits only a few injuries away from playing at the highest level.
He is extremely versatile and cuts a similar mould to the likes of Corey Parker and fellow teammate Tohu Harris crossing for eight tries and converting nine goals during his NYC career.
Other exciting prospects at the Storm include Sharks recruit Curtis Scott, Australian Schoolboy Scott Drinkwater and winger Tony Tumusa.
Under pressure
Billy Slater is coming to the end of his career and with Cameron Munster proving to be the perfect replacement during Slater’s absence at the back end of last year, the Australian custodian is under serious pressure to perform.
If the 277-game veteran can’t get back to his old ways, he faces a serious risk of being shifted back to the wing, where he played for Queensland in 2004 and 2005.
Slater also needs to secure his fullback spot at the Maroons, where he faces serious competition from Greg Inglis, and for the Kangaroos, where the Dragons’ Josh Dugan is applying the heat.
Slater should return to his form of old but if he fails to meet expectations he could be forced to give up his position to rookie sensation, Munster.
Are the Storm genuine premiership contenders?
Bellamy has a brilliant roster, featuring four Australian internationals and three New Zealand Test players.
With one of the best forward packs in the NRL, Melbourne have plenty of muscle on their side.
The Storm will go into 2016 as the underdogs and have been fortunate enough to draw the Roosters and Broncos during the State of Origin period, where both opponents will be without their Origin stars. Melbourne have plenty of depth to cover for injury, suspension and representative selections.
Boasting one of the most talented teams in the NRL and one of the best coaches in rugby league, the Storm will go far in 2016.
How will Bellamy utilise Nicholls and White?
It is well known Bellamy likes to recruit older forwards and revive their careers.
In recent years this has seen Tom Learoyd-Lahrs, George Rose, Junior Moors and Lagi Setu all head south. 2016 has seen the the signings of Mark Nicholls and Matt White.
Nicholls has shown plenty of potential while playing for the Mounties in NSW Cup and in his 19 NRL games between 2012 and 2015 at the Raiders.
White was an unsung hero at the Titans and leaves as their fifth most-capped player, with 125 appearances over his seven years at the club.
Bellamy will be hoping he can turn White’s career around and get him playing like he did at the Titans in 2009 and 2010.
If he is able to transform the two ‘rejects’ into feared interchange forwards who churn out big minutes, Bellamy could create the Storm’s secret weapon for this season.
How will Cameron Munster fare at centre?
Cameron Munster showed he can play fullback last season but in 2016 he is set to be shifted back to the centres to accommodate Billy Slater’s return from injury.
Munster’s first full season saw him develop into a leader, and he was one of the Storm’s best players throughout their finals campaign.
The Rockhampton junior has big things ahead of him, but will have to wait at least one more year before moving permanently to fullback.
The change from fullback to centre shouldn’t be too drastic. While it may limit his play in open space it should allow him to develop his tackling skills so that once it comes time for Slater to hang up the boots, the Storm will have a perfect replacement ready to lead Melbourne’s next generation.
Can Billy Slater play out a full season?
Over the past few seasons Billy Slater has become more prone to injury, which has seen the Storm’s performance suffer.
Slater has received plenty of off-season surgery recently and should be good as new.
Melbourne will be hoping he remains fit throughout 2016 and plays as many games as possible.
The Storm’s 2016 season hinges almost entirely on Slater’s fitness, if he remains fit and can continue his hunt to become the second highest try scorer of all-time try behind only Ken Irvine, they prove to be the most dangerous in the competition.
Must watch
Round 8 versus Warriors
Monday, April 25, 7pm at AAMI Park
The Storm’s annual Anzac Day clash with the Vodafone Warriors will return in 2016 when the two rivals face off.
There will be plenty on the line with Kangaroos and Kiwis jerseys up for grabs as well as spots in the Pacific Island test teams.
Billy Slater and Will Chambers will certainly step up in their bid to wear the green and gold again in 2016 while Jesse Bromwich, Tohu Harris and Kevin Proctor will also try to warrant selection as they go head-to-head with fellow Kiwi forwards Ben Matulino and Simon Mannering.
There will be plenty of stars on show and with both sides bound to be heavy premiership contenders, it looks to be a very exciting match.
Round 10 versus Cowboys
Saturday, May 14, 5:30pm at Suncorp Stadium
Johnathan Thurston, Cameron Smith, Matthew Scott, Cooper Cronk, James Tamou, Billy Slater, Michael Morgan, William Chambers and Ben Hannant will all appear at Suncorp Stadium when the Storm and Cowboys meet in what shapes as one of the most exciting games of the season.
Plenty of Origin spots will be on the line which will mean great performances around the park from those in contention. A sell-out crowd is anticipated for this game which will be a part of a double-header also featuring the Sea Eagles and Broncos, making this game a must-watch for all fans no matter which team you support.
With the big three and William Chambers likely to miss out most of the mid-season, they will want to get as much momentum possible going into the State of Origin period.
Come Round 10, Brisbane will be the place to be and the Storm versus Cowboys fixture shapes as a match that will make any rugby league fan’s mouth water.
Predicted best XVII
1. Billy Slater, 2. Marika Koroibete, 3. Cameron Munster, 4. William Chambers, 5. Cheyse Blair, 6. Blake Green, 7. Cooper Cronk, 8. Jesse Bromwich, 9. Cameron Smith, 10. Jordan McLean, 11. Tohu Harris, 12. Kevin Proctor, 13. Dale Finucane
Interchange: 14. Nelson Asofa-Solomona, 15. Kenneath Bromwich, 16. Tim Glasby, 17. Mark Nicholls
2016 signings
Cheyse Blair (Manly Sea Eagles), Jeremy Hawkins (Canberra Raiders), Mark Nicholls (Canberra Raiders), Matt White (Gold Coast Titans)
2016 Draw (AEST)
Round 1: Storm versus Dragons (Monday, March 7 7pm @ AAMI Park)
Round 2: Storm versus Titans (Sunday, March 13 6:30pm @ AAMI Park)
Round 3: Warriors versus Storm (Sunday, March 20 2pm @ Mt Smart Stadium)
Round 4: Sharks versus Storm (Monday, March 28 7pm @ Shark Park)
Round 5: Storm versus Knights (Saturday, April 2 3pm @ AAMI Park)
Round 6: Storm versus Bulldogs (Monday, April 11 7pm @ AAMI Park)
Round 7: Wests Tigers versus Storm (Sunday, April 17 4pm @ Leichhardt Oval)
Round 8: Storm versus Warriors (Monday, April 25 7pm @ AAMI Park)
Round 9: Titans versus Storm (Sunday, May 1 2pm @ Cbus Super Stadium)
Round 10: Storm versus Cowboys (Saturday, May 14 5:30pm @ Suncorp Stadium)
Round 11: Eels versus Storm (Monday, May 23 7pm @ Pirtek Stadium)
Round 12: Bye
Round 13: Storm versus Panthers (Saturday, June 4 7:30pm @ AAMI Park)
Round 14: Roosters versus Storm (Saturday, June 11 7:30pm @ Allianz Stadium)
Round 15: Dragons versus Storm (Saturday, June 18 7:30pm @ WIN Stadium)
Round 16: Storm versus Wests Tigers (Sunday, June 26 4pm @ AAMI Park)
Round 17: Broncos versus Storm (Friday, July 1 7:50pm @ Suncorp Stadium)
Round 18: Bye
Round 19: Knights versus Storm (Sunday, July 17 2pm @ Hunter Stadium)
Round 20: Storm versus Roosters (Saturday, July 23 7:30pm @ AAMI Park)
Round 21: Cowboys versus Storm (July 28-August 1 @ 1300Smiles Stadium)
Round 22: Storm versus Rabbitohs (August 4-August 8 @ AAMI Park)
Round 23: Raiders versus Storm (August 11-August 15 @ GIO Stadium)
Round 24: Sea Eagles versus Storm (August 18-August 22 @ Brookvale Oval)
Round 25: Storm versus Broncos (August 25-August 29 @ AAMI Park)
Round 26: Storm versus Sharks (September 1-September 4 @ AAMI Park)
Prediction
The Storm will once again be a heavy premiership contender, however they won’t sit nearly as high on the ladder as they did in 2015 due to stiff competition.
Melbourne will finish sixth and make an exit in the first week of the finals.
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