The Storm are not the team they once were

Nothing on the main ABC sports segment as well into Melbourne. It's as if the game still doesn't exist down here.

Funny, was in a bar prior to Broncos game with about 150 other supporters, and the big screen had the AFL on with 4 Victorian expats (the only AFL supporters in the bar) sitting in front. They collectively yelled when the channel was being changed to the NRL ANZAC match. Management decided to keep it on the AFL while alienating the NRL supporters and said the match will be put on when the AFL finishes. We had to watch on side TV's. I can't think of a more accommodating culture which these Victorians are not familiar with. They defiantly stated "not all of us are 'rugby' fans" lol. It was a real anthropological study in their mannerisms though. To look at their faces when there was a scramble on the ground for a ball popping all over the place suggests they cheer for anything. They could just about kiss each other if they could get away with the embarrassment. I just find it embarrassing that such a skill less feature of their sport still evokes cheering.

Just picked up The Melbourne Age and nothing of last nights game. Mind you there's zero coverage of the AFL's disasterous foray in Wellington as well.

need to get rid of channel nine. They have proven they do not wish to promote the sport outside QLD/NSW. An example, on the Today Show Saturday morning, the AFL was the 1st sports report, NRL second and they didn't even mention the NRL ANZAC clash would be on live on 9. Over on 7, they repeatedly reminded its viewers the AFL was live on 7. Even the Herald are giving the Storm a fair crack with the Storm hitting the back page of the sports section in the last 2-3 weeks.

Don't know what you've been watching but games like Broncs v Rabbitohs, Parra v Wests and numerous other games alike, have been great to watch, and the crowds are starting to respond.

Correct... With decent coverage Storm would be a major force in Melbourne... Sport mad down here and everyone is mildly positive. Storm do a great job with no support at promoting the code.

It's with a rye smile, I noted that Channel 9 insisted on a Broncos game last night when the game in Melbourne offered so much in terms of demonstrating to the wider rugby league loving public just how competitive and successful teams from outside NSW and QLD can be. The Storm will be around for a long time. Supporters here have stuck by their team even when it was impossible to watch an away game before midnight. They are far from irrelevant in Melbourne despite the best efforts of the media to suggest otherwise. They may not be quite the team they were, but they are here and won't be going away.

Too true. Salary cap is definitely working. Easier to ponce off clubs who develop talent rather than put the work in yourself. Honest question, if we made teams based on where players were discovered and developed, who would have the best teams today? Storm would have a cracker, sliding GI, Widdop, Tolman, Folau, Sika Manu, Neilson in to the set up.. Who else would improve and who would weaken?

As opposed to the unlimited tackle rule where the attack runs into the opposition monotonously,where one side had the ball for the bulk of the game and the competition was as predictable as Gus Gould saying no no no.The crowds at times barely able to make a quorum.And scrums that would collapse,jsut about every second set.and the messy PTB ,where players would strike for the ball. Just the way it was,when you knew your team was on a hiding to nothing LOL,hence the reason crowds were ordinary.Just the way it was when head high tackles and win at all costs were king,and why many women would not attend in numbers.Yep the good old days,and thank whoever we are not back there . Let's all continue to play the game in just NSW and Qld and wonder why the game would lack sponsors and increase the player pool, such as we have now. I am sure the near 29,000 full house who attended the Storm v Warriors game thought it was boring. Let's all live in the past and drive T model Fords.Many other codes have the popularity of their game confined,but it does not stop them expanding and promoting their particular sport..

It's quite simply because the storm can not afford to keep the junior players they devolp. They are clearly the best in the comp at player devolpment. Why shouldn't they get to keep all their stars? It's almost as if the nrl wants them to fail. Inglis, Folou, Dallas Johnson, just to name a few. No wonder they have to pay there big 3 so much to keep them there,

The Storm's money is wrapped up in three players. For the others it's a bit demoralising to have the title "BIG THREE" in your face all the time. Rugby League teams are made up of 13 players at any one time on the field. Frankly outside Hoffman, Proctor and Bromwich their forwards are no-body's. Sisa Waqa on the wing is having a great season and is a class player as is Will Chambers and that's where it ends. There is nothing on the bench. Big Georgie doesn't want to be there maybe because training is too hard, and the there are a couple of young dudes who Bellamy just may turn into great players. Where is the depth. Whenever a young player is developed into a fabulous NRL first grade player after a few years of hard work by Bellamy and his staff they leave because Melbourne can't afford them. The Storm have dug themselves into a huge hole. They will be lucky to keep Proctor from leaving come October. In theory and on paper The Storm Machine development plan sounds great for the game we once knew. New rules, new game, big money, and lack of depth have left the once mighty Storm in a huge void which just might take a few years to get out of. Anyway Melbourne Storm, thanks for the memories. Once upon a time you made a lot of people admire what you could achieve, but, unfortunately all good things must come to an end.

Rugby League is not the game it once was either...........run into the opposition 5 times then the kick,now with the new rules its a game of touch.Bring back the contested scrums....the replacement rule for injuries only......the match of the day ..and on field refs who are not eyesight poor....and make the clubs field their own third and reserve grade sides and put value back into the admission prices............then we might have a game of footy that we can enjoy watching....just like the way it was before the game was changed to suit some by pretending to be a highly sort national game to be taken to the world stage..whereas the game only really appeals to NSW and QLD. ...the heartland of R.L.

Every year people say this, it's getting a bit old to be honest.

BA The defence problems are a derivative from poor go forward. The Storm's forward's are struggling to get on top of most packs and Cronk is forced to kick from halfway.

It's just their defence. Melbourne are currently the 2nd best scoring team in the comp and 2nd worst in defence. if they can start defending they will beat most teams. I don't think the mcclean incident has helped them either. I am sure they will turn it around soon.

Mitch, They clearly have some challenges, but when your coach, CEO and Board are all top of the NRL pile you would be naive to expect they will not get back on track.

what no rails run from refs, has bellyache run out of favours