The Melbourne Storm have got one over the AFL, nabbing former Collingwood captain Nick Maxwell.
Maxwell, who retired at the end of the 2014 season after a 208-game career which included captaining the Magpies to the 2010 premiership, has been appointed the NRL club’s leadership development coach.
The former All-Australian will work one day a week with the Storm after performing a managerial cross-code switch in what is a promotional coup for the rugby league club in AFL-mad Melbourne.
Maxwell is relishing the prospect of working alongside Storm coach Craig Bellamy and Melbourne captain Cameron Smith.
“I’ve always had a lot of respect for the Melbourne Storm as an organisation,” Maxwell said in a club statement.
“To work with Craig, Cameron Smith and their leadership group, as well as some of the most talented emerging leaders in the game is something I am really looking forward to.”
AFL has scored body blows on rugby league in recent years after signing Karmichael Hunt and Israel Folau.
While neither Hunt nor Folau achieved great on-field success in the AFL – with both having defected to rugby union – however the pair were powerful marketing tools for expansion franchises the Gold Coast Suns and Greater Western Sydney Giants.
Maxwell will oversee the Storm’s emerging leadership program and work with the NRL squad’s leadership group.
“We are really excited to have Nick as part of Melbourne Storm’s staff,” said Storm football director Frank Ponissi.
“He enjoyed an outstanding career at Collingwood and has a reputation as one the best leaders in sport.
“He understands young men having led a similar group during his time at Collingwood, particularly during his five years as captain, and will help us grow our next group of Storm leaders.”
Jake
Guest
Seeing as kicking is becoming a more important and valued component of league in Australia, and also the ability of the chasers to read the flight of the ball, I think this is great initiative from the storm. Maxwell was a leader of an AFL club, a tall defender and spending the majority of playing trying to read the ball and cutting off kicks. If there was one area (on field) that league is weak in, is how the majority of players try to catch a high bomb, either flat out jumping into the fullback with out even looking or just watching it bounce. There could be benefits other than just a silly cross-code snatching.
daniel p
Guest
Very positive news for the club I hope it's successful
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
A far cheaper coup than Folau,who appeared to twiddle his thumbs. In Melbourne any NRL publicity no matter how minor, is a coup. Cameron Smith does not have the time to spend, nurturing the younger players,particularly those not involved in the NRL group.It's a specialist job for Maxwell.Maxwell and Bellamy/Smith have had regular contact in the past .
Shouts Chen
Guest
Having an ex-AFL player like him? He should have been payed $30000 for the Melbourne Storm.
AR
Guest
An ex-AFL player teaching the Storm about leadership is a coup for the NRL..? I would have thought Cameron Smith is already a better leader than Maxwell ever was. Certainly a better player.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Cheaper than $2m pa,with little to show for it.
harry
Guest
leadership at $150K a year
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
He is not playing the game Harry that is the difference.He is offering leadership to young players.Ruffled your feathers it appears. Collingwood fans have had plenty of time to follow the Storm as fans,they choose to stay where they are.This signing will have little impact whatsoever in that regard. Folau was paid a motza,the number of Polynesian players who moved......................,count on one hand.With all the press/PR and money and you compare it to Barich with the Westerbn Reds LOL.. Conspiracy theory no 3789.
harry
Guest
This is a pathetic attempt to move into the Collingwood memebership of 80k with similar demographic reminds me of the Western reds hiring ex AFL Barich to play league (never played before) to get some press - Fail Folau and Hunt has something to offer a young team without experience in new AFL areas...Like to know how much he is getting paid and whay is he going to do??
Craigo
Guest
Maybe the Nurse should change your panties and tighten the buckles on your straightjacket then :)
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Actually, I'm p***sing myself laughing at that comment. Sorry....
Craigo
Guest
@ Rick, I bet you're crying. This guy could have gone to any AFL club but he knows the future is strong in the NRL. Thanks for the endorsement Nick Maxwell.
Wascally Wabbit
Guest
".....Hunt and Folau....powerful marketing tools......for Suns and Giants..." Did they really make much of a difference ? Does anyone have any stats or information on whether those 2 really made any impact on AFL at those 2 clubs ?
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
The funny thing is, he's not even an AFL player, so I doubt that very much.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
Is it really a coup having someone come in once a week for leadership training? A retired someone no less?
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Wonder if there will be a ,code in crisis story thrown up, as invariably happens when an NRL player moves elsewhere.
Garry
Guest
Take that AFL!