Storm coach Craig Bellamy will try to work his magic on Canberra discard Mark Nicholls after luring the NRL prop to Melbourne.
Bellamy has a proven record of turning players unable to crack a regular starting gig into matchwinners with the Storm.
It didn’t work this year with another former Raider, Tom Learoyd-Lahrs, who struggled with injury and retired at season’s end, but Bellamy has gone back to the well with Nicholls, beating the Warriors for his signature.
Nicholls only managed five NRL games with the Raiders in 2015 but has good pedigree.
He was a former Junior Kangaroos representative and was Canberra’s rookie of the year in his debut 2012 season but his career never really recovered from a badly broken arm in 2013.
He joins former Gold Coast veteran Matt White, who was signed in August, in adding some depth to the Storm pack.
Nicholls was one of four players announced by the club on Tuesday, although exciting teenagers Scott Drinkwater and Curtis Scott were already linked to the club.
Thunderbolts winger Tony Tumusa was also offered a senior contract.
Young halfback Drinkwater, who has been part of the Roosters junior system, has been signed as part of the Storm’s succession plan for Cooper Cronk.
Scott, who captained Cronulla Sharks SG Ball premiership side this season and was also named player of the tournament at the Australian Schoolboys carnival in July, plays in the centres.
Storm football director Frank Ponissi said the club was excited to confirm the signing of the Australian Schoolboy duo, who will move to Melbourne after finishing school.
“Both Scott and Curtis were highly sought after by other clubs and we are thrilled to now be in a position to announce they have signed with Melbourne Storm,” Ponissi said.
“Our recruiting staff has closely followed their progress over the last few years and we believe being in the Storm system under our coaching staff will assist them in becoming NRL players.”
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
Nicholls played well for the Raiders with the limited opportunities he got this season. He was competing with Shillington and FPN for a spot in the forwards but they always seemed to get the nod before him. I think the Raiders may regret letting Nicholls and Shillington go but possibly not if Ricky Stuart manages to land a couple of proven forwards to take their place.
Pomski
Guest
Bro, Melbourne's like the best City in Australia
Niall
Guest
In the Craig Bellamy era Melbourne have not signed any 'alleged stars'.
Happy Jack
Guest
One is always intrigued how the Storm attract alleged stars to their club despite being in cold Melbourne and away from the 14 other clubs in northern Australia....
Richard Maybury
Guest
The pundits often write off the storm at their earliest opportunity. One reason, Outside Sydney.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Great to see Matt White and Nicholls at the Storm. Matt White especially should fit right in, just does his job on the field with no fuss. Also good to see some young signings who will hopefully be the future of the Storm. Storm desperately needed some outside backs this year as that was their major weakness all year especially on the left edge which was again successfully targeted by the Cowboys in the Prelims....ironically by Justin O'Neil who would have been just the guy to fix that left edge.They need a decent left centre to partner Koroibete (hopefully Munster is up to it) and now that Duffy is gone need another winger on the right who will be a target for Cronks kicks. Tony Tumusa looks like he will be another Koroibete, got lots of speed, elusive and bounces off tackles, hopefully he gets some game time if his defence is up to it. Considering that they were written off at the start of the season by many commentators who said they wouldn't make the 8, Prelims was a pretty good outcome this year for the Storm. Hopefully they can do better next year.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Matt White is a no frills professional and I can definitely see him thriving for an extra couple of years under Bellamy. Nicholls has a lot of potential. He's a massive unit and looks pretty mobile.