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NRL team preview: Melbourne Storm

Roar Rookie
6th March, 2011
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Roar Rookie
6th March, 2011
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This year’s Melbourne Storm slogan claims they’re “playing for everything”.

The impressive thing is that last season, with the long, long weeks stretching ahead to a guaranteed wooden spoon finish, the Storm managed to notch 14 wins. The lapses in motivation were fewer than expected and not isolated to the end of the season.

Moving into 2011, the 1-7-9 spine of the Melbourne juggernaut stays in tact, and although Greg Inglis has attracted most of the headlines, it’s the front and second rows that have taken the hardest hit in the reshuffle following the infamous salary cap scandal. Promising forward Aiden Tolman, certified unit Jeff Lima and workhorse Ryan Hoffman have all departed, and the Storm will certainly feel the impact.

But irrespective of salary cap breaches, the Storm have never been lacking in identifying young – or just overlooked – talent. Bryan Norrie should continue his strong form if he can make a quick recovery from a hamstring injury, and if any coach can bring Troy Thompson back towards fulfilling his potential it has to be Craig Bellamy.

In the back line Beau Champion has every reason to continue to improve after a cracker 2010, and Elijah Niko may just turn out to be the next Manu Vatuvei.

Matt Duffie and Gareth Widdop showed they both have great futures ahead with his play last season, while Luke Kelly’s performances in NYC make him a young player to watch.

If the forward pack can begin the season as a cohesive unit – and Bellamy’s legendary thoroughness makes that more than likely – and make better metres than their predecessors in 2010, Melbourne Storm retain three of their deadliest weapons and a legitimate chance at the top four.

Coach: Craig Bellamy

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Home ground: AAMI Park (30,050)

Season 2010: 16th (P24, W14, L10, 126 pts)

Squad: Adam Blair, Maurice Blair, Jesse Bromwich, Beau Champion, Dane Chisholm, Cooper Cronk, Matt Duffie, Jake Hawkins, Ryan Hinchcliffe, Mitchel Johnson, Luke Kelly, Sione Kite, Rory Kostjasyn, Jaiman Lowe, Todd Lowrie, Sika Manu, Tu’u Maori, Dane Nielsen, Elijah Niko, Bryan Norrie, Justin O’Neill, Kevin Proctor, Anthony Quinn, Robbie Rochow, Billy Slater, Cameron Smith, Chase Stanley, Troy Thompson, Atalea Vea, Gareth Widdop, Adam Woolnough.

Ins: Adam Woolnough, Troy Thompson, Elijah Niko, Jaiman Lowe, Maurice Blair, Beau Champion

Out: Aiden Tolman, Jeff Lima, Ryan Hoffman, Brett Finch, Greg Inglis, Maipele Morseau, Blake Leary

X-Factor: When Cameron Smith missed a gift of a conversion during the Storm’s loss to Manly Brookvale Oval last April, playing what was surely one of the worst games of his career, it was like a premonition of the scandal that was to come in just a few days when the salary cap breach was announced. Smith’s performances can make or break a Storm game. When his team confronts an impenetrable defensive line, Smith’s canny play around the ruck, vision, inspired decisions to run the ball and pinpoint kicking game can turn the tide.

Main man: The Storm’s forward pack has been whittled down slightly in the part few months, but New Zealand international and powerhouse front-rower Adam Blair is still a part of the team’s arsenal, and he will need to take on extra responsibility in the new look Melbourne line-up. Next in line in fame – and pay-packets – to the trio of Smith, Cronk and Slater, Blair will be the leader of the pack whose performance will be the foundation for the team’s success.

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Predicted finish: Fourth

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