A year after being deducted of eight points and excluded from receiving any premiership points for the rest of the season, being fined $1.689m and stripped of their 2007 and 2009 premierships and 2006, 2007 and 2008 minor premierships, the Melbourne Storm are back and primed for the run at the flag.
In 2010, The Age referred the salary cap breach story as “the biggest scandal in Australian sports history”.
The Storm lost several key players from their list, including Greg Inglis (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Brett Finch (Wigan Warriors), Ryan Hoffman (Wigan Warriors), Dallas Johnson (North Queensland Cowboys) and Aiden Tolman (Canterbury Bulldogs) apart from several board members.
However, the Storm has hit back hard and is positioned nicely to claim the 2011 premiership. Coach Craig Bellamy has put the club’s revival down to attitude, mental strength and camaraderie in the clubrooms.
Adding to the thoughts of Bellamy, Melbourne’s lesser known players have stepped up big this year to support Billy Slater, Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk.
The Melbourne Storm currently sits at the top of the ladder with 14 wins from 17 games played and has the best scores for and against record.
Last week, the Storm travelled to the capital city to take on the green machine – they walked away as the only team to keep Canberra scoreless, winning 26-0.
Sterlo – league great and ex-Footy Show star – ranks Melbourne as the third best chance for the flag behind St. George Illawarra and Manly; he places Brisbane fourth.
I agree with Sterlo that these are the only teams who can challenge for the premiership win.
However, the Melbourne Storm, in my opinion, have the mindset that nothing will get in their way and that mental toughness will play a major role in the final weeks of the 2011 season.
This week, Melbourne host Brisbane in what will, more than likely be Darren Lockyer’s final game in Melbourne; in round 25, the Storm go head-to-head against Manly, in what may be a premiership preview.
The city of Melbourne is set for a big year of celebrations with Victorian teams winning the AFL and NRL premierships as well.
Do you agree or disagree?
Jake Savage
Roar Rookie
Just a few points to raise.. The term flag is an AFL term, Dallas Johnson left a year earlier than the others, he went to play for Catalans Dragons before returning to the NRL with North Queensland. And using Peter Sterlings nickname Sterlo is a bit too laconis for what seemed like an attempt at a serious article. I do agree that both the Storm and either Collingwood, Geelong, Hawthorn or St Kilda will be taking home silverware at seasons end, but we may still see Darren Lockyer in Melbourne around finals time when the Storm will end the Broncos hopes of a fitting farewell.
AC
Guest
The NRL hopefully will start to promote the Storm soon and then it will be interesting to see how many people in Vic really get behind them. The AFL basically blasts AFL into your home here in the northern states at a saturation level.
I'mastormtrooper2
Guest
Calling Ken ... So, what do you think of the Storm NOW ??? and the boys don't believe they've hit their straps YET !!! I thought that Victory jersey was something else too ... Perhaps a trip to the local newsagency tomorrow to pick up a copy of the Big League magazine ...
bilbo
Guest
Also need to mention one of the Storms success stories in a non-traditional area - Juniors! Gareth Widdop has been close to their best player this year - and he is a local junior. Their Toyota Cup team has only lost 4 games, and includes nine locals - as in home grown kids. As a percentage, that is greater than the Suns. Cmon Storm! Storm v the Drags in the GF - what a show!
Ken
Guest
Should be a great game, I'm swayed by home-town advantage with this one - Storm by 10.
Ken
Guest
Maybe the impression that the Storm were treated harshly because they are not from NSW and QLD teams has helped build up their following (us against them etc). In which case I guess it's not a bad thing, even though it's complete tosh. Melbourne's penalty for their transgressions was actually the bare minimum the NRL could get away with after the precedent they had set with the Bulldogs. 'Love to c gallops face if the storm life the premiership' I'm not sure what you would be looking for, I think Gallop would love it if the Storm could come back and win the title. It would be a big story, great for the game - expansion team that faced adversity and came back, that sort of thing - all wins from his side. What makes you think Gallop hates the Storm anyway? Remember he came from the SL side of the merger, he was a big bopper on the side that insisted the Storm were created in the first place despite incredibly poor timing.
Ken
Guest
haha, a Queenslander - I should have guessed from that 'NSW media' quote :-)
I'mastormtrooper2
Guest
Then Ken you best read the statistics in Big League which just so happens to feature The Melbourne Storm, you mgith not feel soc onfident in those in the betting rings ... On page 10 Andrew Voss has a section called The Rant - Storm;s success all-too familiar look ... Very interesting ... Another thing that's interesting is that Melbourne Storm is a very popular team in Queensland ...
Ken
Guest
Let's not get into last year, the Melbourne Storm were not premiership contenders last year because they chose not to field an NRL team. The Bears weren't in either, or Newtown/Glebe/Rams etc - that none of these teams competed for the title does not mean that it was won under false pretences. Focus on this year instead, the Storm are playing well and are contenders. They will challenge for the title - personally I think the Dragons are going to take it out but it's fairly obvious that it's a race in 4. Dragons, Storm, Manly with Brisbane a level below the others but a bit of a dark horse - you just get the feeling they could go on a roll.
elbusto
Guest
Storm to win tonight. What a game! And with all the fantastic news about the TV Rights what a great time for Rugby League.
Ken
Guest
I'm not ahead of myself, not suggesting the comps over yet - just putting forward my opinion on favouritism. It isn't just me and the 'NSW media' though (geez, are Victorians starting to pay too much attention to QLDers....?) - every betting agency in the land, the people that put their money where their mouth is, also have the Dragons as outright title favourites. With good reason too, Saints were 4 points clear of everyone before Origin - and have only lost 1 game all year that wasn't Origin affected . It all adds up to the current table not being the sole arbiter of performance, especially when the Storm still have to play the other Top 4 teams in the next month or so. Not suggesting the Dragons were the only ones affected by Origin, or that Melbourne can't win or haven't achieved, they've done well - better than most expected and are a genuine threat.
NF
Guest
Brilliant news Boom hope for a good walk up crowd too. This season is about making amends for last year's cap scandal and redemption. I wouldn't mind a Storm vs North QLD GF providing both are full strength and NQ is my team. Hopefully, next season Storm can build on whatever success they have this year and build up the crowds overall.
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
Too close to call. If the game was being played at Suncorp, then I'd have the Broncs as red-hot favourites. I'm certain the Dragons will make light work of both teams when they play them at full strength - just like they did to Manly and North Qld.
camcallsthegame
Roar Pro
Predictions for tomorrow night??? If you enjoyed this article, go to camcallsthegame.wordpress.com and sign up! thanks all for the comments.
I'mastormtrooper2
Guest
Good on ya, Boomshanka and thanks for staying tried and true to the purple army ... I live in NQ, so can't be there tomorrow night, but I will be there in spirit ... I'm sure the crowd will turn up for the event and who wouldn't want to experience the power and passion of the diehard Melbourne Storm fans ... Cheers and GO THE MIGHTY MELBOURNE STORM !!!
Boomshanka
Guest
Just bought my tickets for the game tomorrow at AAMI Park. Looks like it'll be a big crowd! Only single Category 1 tickets available and the western stand is fully open. A good effort given the lack of self promotion in the southern capital, zero TV coverage and AFL saturation on the rest of the media. Bring it on!
I'mastormtrooper2
Guest
Bilbo ... What State of Origin team do the Dragon's players hail from ???? What State of Origin team do the Melbourne Storm players hail from ??? What team won their 6th State of Origin in a row ??? So, don't talk about strength all over the park, because you're Dragon's are in for one big tussle in 2011 ... Unlike 2010, when the Melbourne Storm played for no Premiership points, BUT, as a matter of fact, had they accrued points, they would have played in the finals, AND, have well and truely threatened the Dragon's chances of taking out the Grand Final ... In some circles it's believed that the Dragon's won last year under false pretences ... Call it karma, call it truth - what matters most is never losing faith - The Storm have never walked alone, and the reason they lead the NRL table today is because they choose to play with a braver heart ...
I'mastormtrooper2
Guest
You can think what you like Ken ... I am so over the small-minded views ... Give the Melbourne Storm some credit, they have been leading their compeitiors for a few weeks, and just like the media commentators of NSW's you are putting the Dragon's first - St George are sitting third ... Now if the cards where reversed do you honestly believe you wouldn't be brassed off if the Dragon's weren't being given fair recognition ... The Melbourne Storm where the first team who earnt a place in the finals by reaching 30 points - The Dragons are yet to do that - SO, MY ADVICE TO YOU KEN, IS DON'T GET AHEAD OF YOURSELF ...
Raphael
Guest
I'm born and bred Victorian and I'm so proud of the storm. It us against the rest mentality and no matter what the nrl throws at the club they always come right back at ya. I support the rebels and wallabies but I've always loved the storm giving it to the northeners, this Friday will be my 3rd storm game of the season not alot compared to some but I've been to rebels games and a Carlton game. We support our teams! . The club always recruits so well, we always lose players but bellamy and his staff recruit find potential and develope players to their fullest. there is always a super star on the horison and they turn discarded players into solid performers. Love to c gallops face if the storm lift the premiership. I sometimes wonder if Melbourne was in nsw or qld if we would be treated the same( which I mean Melbourne is hit with a sledgehammer while others get a lil slap on the wrist) The afl always get behind there non Vic clubs and want them to do well to build the code.
Ksi
Guest
Liz I take it you have not watched league for very long. The only thing the storm have innovated is the wrestle in the ruck. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.