Melbourne Storm greatest XVII

Today I continue my series by naming the Melbourne Storm all-time greatest team. In a short amount of time it’s amazing what the Melbourne Storm have accomplished.

These are the players they have helped Melbourne achieve what they have.

1. Billy Slater
25 caps for Australia, 27 for Queensland, Dally M Medal Winner, Golden Boot Winner, RLW Player of the year, 2x RLIF Player of the year, 2x RLIF Fullback of the year, Fullback of the year, Clive Churchill Medal Winner , Wally Lewis Medal Winner, 2x Winner of Australia’s greatest athlete

Billy Slater quite simply is one of the greatest fullbacks ever. His positional play is light years away ahead of anyone else, his ability to always field kicks and be in the right place at the right time. He knew how and when to inject himself in attack and used his amazing acceleration to score 172 try’s. He has won nearly every accolade there is rugby league showing why his on of the greats.

2. Marcus Bai
11 caps for Papua New Guinea, winger of the year

Melbourne’s first cult hero, Bai was a powerful winger who was known for scoring tries by barging over people. He could act another forward due to his size and strength, he couldn’t reach his potential due to an injury-hampered career.

3. Will Chambers
1 cap for Australia, 4 for Queensland

Chambers, with a great mix of length, strength and speed, has blossomed into one of the most difficult players to contain in the game. He has been underrated for the majority of his career, but Chambers has finally been rewarded with his recent representative appearances.

4. Greg Inglis
34 caps for Australia, 27 for Queensland, Clive Churchill Medal Winner, Centre of the year, fullback of the year, five-eighth of the year, RLIF Fullback of the year, RLIF Centre of the year and Wally Lewis Medal Winner

Inglis is the most damaging ball-runner ever. At 196cm, over 100kg and with the speed and power and the combination with his fend, Inglis is a Mack Truck with eyes, he can break tackles and destroy a defence at will.

He also posses great ball skills as he won Clive Churchill Medal at five-eighth. He may play for the Rabbitohs now but his greatest days were in Storm colours. Inglis will go down as the greatest players in last 30 years and one of the best players from Queensland (although that latter point is still a matter of conjecture).

5. Israel Folau
8 caps for Australia, 8 for Queensland, Rookie of the ear, centre of the year and RLIF centre of the year

The triple-code star who achieved so much in a short career in the NRL. At 193cm and over 100 kgs, Folau scored a record 21 tries in his debut year. Folau had such a rare blend of speed, power and agility for large size which was unmatched. He could either bust through tackles or step defenders.

He had an incredible vertical reach which made him so great in the air. He done all of this at 22, before going to the AFL, and rugby. One could imagine what player he could be if he stayed in the NRL.

6. Matt Orford
Dally M Medal winner

He may have played most games in halfback, but Orford was the shining star for the Storm in the early 2000s. He left just before the Storm started their dominance.

Orford was known a very creative half who was Melbourne’s best player when he played Orford was another player that had he played for a Sydney team he played rep games.

7. Cooper Cronk
27 caps for Australia, 17 for Queensland, Dally M Medal Winner. Clive Churchill Medal Winner, 4x halfback of the year

Cronk may not be the most talented player but he may be the most hardworking. His dedication to his craft is something everyone should aspire to do. His kicking game is best in the world.

Cronk footy IQ off the charts. His passing game is elite and he knows how to set up team mates. He is the MVP for Queensland – they seem unbeatable with him and ordinary without him.

8. Robbie Kearns
29 caps for Australia, 8 for NSW

Kearns was part of the Storm’s first team as major early signing. Kearns established himself one of the best props in the NRL.

9. Cameron Smith
43 caps for Australia, 37 for Queensland, Daly M Medal Winner, Golden Boot Winner, 3x RLIF Hooker of the year, RLIF Player of the year, 5x hooker of the year and Wally Lewis Medal Winner

Smith plays the game like a game of chess and seems to always be one step ahead of his opposition. Smith is a master of controlling the ruck and tempo of the game, Smith – like a coach on the field – can change tactics on the fly to exploit opposition weakness.

10. Jesse Bromwich
14 caps for New Zealand

Bromwich has cemented himself as a premier prop in the NRL. His footwork and his offload have made him the leader of the Storm pack.

11. Kevin Proctor
8 caps for NZ

Proctor is a very skilful forward with footwork and great game smarts, making him one of the elite players in his position.

12. Ryan Hoffman
6 caps for Australia, 14 for NSW, Brad Fittler Medal Winner.

Hoffman was a great player with the Storm throughout their glory years.

13. Tawera Nikau
19 caps for NZ, Lock of the year.

Nikau was everywhere in defence, had fearless charges and was pivotal in the Storm’s ’99 grand final win.

Bench
Stephen Kearney, Dallas Johnson, David Kidwell and Scott Hill

Over the past 15 years – and despite the obvious salary cap issues – the Storm have been up there with Manly as the best team in the competition. With two premierships and two more stripped grand final wins, this Storm line up shows the quality in Melbourne since 1998.