The Melbourne Storm have claims to be most successful rugby league team of the last two decades.
Since their entry into the League in 1998, their record is imposing – two premierships, two further premierships stripped due to salary cap penalties, three grand final losses and 16 finals appearances.
The presence and continued excellence of the ‘big three’ in Cameron Smith, Copper Cronk and Billy Slater has ensured a period of sustained success that is unrivalled over the last 14 years. But the big three are now all aged 33 and one wonders whether there will be a drop off in 2017?
Under the guise of Craig Bellamy, they have been the epitome of the long held view that it is all about three positions: hooker, halfback and fullback.
The rest of the squad has been built and re-built to support this core group of three.
Excellent recruitment and management has brought and then kept the three champions together in the same team. Their presence in the Melbourne market away from NRL HQ in NSW has meant they and the Storm do not receive the plaudits that they deserve.
As we look forward to the 2017 season, can the ‘big three’ maintain their standards of excellence and can the rest of the team do enough to support them?
It would take a brave observer to bet against Bellamy and the big three. Smith and Cronk have proven to be two of the most consistent and disciplined performers of all time and are unlikely to drop off.
Question marks remain over whether Billy Slater can recapture his best form after a season lost to injury. If he can then I see no reason the Storm cannot make the top four
The supporting cast have lost several important players in the off season. Kevin Proctor (Gold Coast) and Blake Green (Manly) have both signed for opposing clubs and the devastating Marika Koroibete has joined rugby union.
Kenny Bromwich can be expected to fill the big void left by Proctor. Having great finishers out wide is a huge asset in the league and hopefully Josh Addo-Carr can prove every bit as damaging as his predecessor.
Jesse Bromwich leads a no-nonsense and unheralded forward pack that needs to grind out the metres to give its star play-makers field position. A quality five-eighth is useful but not essential to the Storm’s success.
With Cameron Smith’s left-foot kicking ability from dummy half and Cronk’s prodigious boot, the emphasis on the 5/8 will be as a ball runner.
The Storm game-plan is a proven one – they are experts at slowing the play-the ball, their defence is extremely well drilled with good line speed and a swarming cover defence and once in the opposition 20 they are lethal with their set plays.
If they maintain this game style and the support cast do their job, the Storm’s ageing big three might just have another title tilt left in them.
The Doc
Roar Guru
Thanks for the comment Joe. All excellent points. Good win over Canterbury so business as usual it seems. Jesse Bromwich has a pretty nasty injury so the forwards depth looks to be tested early.
Memphis
Guest
They were definitely talking up his return before the finals but it was fools gold. I am amazed how Storm recruit and keep all these good young players in non RL heartland - are they on some special allowance because we know how that turned out last time. They lost a couple this year but their record of only losing medium ability players is phenomenal.
Mushi
Guest
One day I will learn to type... woh ma I kiidng
Brendon
Guest
Although, had chambers passed to an unmarked Cronk, it would be 3 and 4 ;-)
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Joe, I have a hi regard for Jahrome Hughes who sadly is in rehab but watch him when he hit fit. His figures last years were off the planet and could be anything under Craig and the Storm system.
Mushi
Guest
They were the best for and agaisnt side which usually augers well for the following season (well provided your halfback doesn't go on a bender and be forced to sit on the sideline with two other injured rep players). Defintiely have to be in condieration for top 4 which menas in codnieration for the title
Magnus M. Østergaard
Roar Guru
I hope he continues to play well, but not on too much of a breakout. Dont want to pay too much for him.
Dean - Surry Hills
Roar Pro
In reality The Storm have won 2 Grand Finals and lost 5 ;) Had Anthony Mundine passed to an unmarked man in the 1999 GF, then it would be 1 and 6. They are definitely in the mix this year and will go close come finals time.
Agent11
Guest
I think Smith could play till he's 40. I hope he goes for as long as possible..
Joe
Roar Rookie
Great article The Doc. I think the key to success this year is Billy Slater. I think if he plays we then have Munster to 6 or even centres. I actually am happy to hear that Riley Jacks has been training at 6 all week and likely to play against the Dogs. I think he is actually the better option for 6 with Munster at fullback and may very well be the 6 for the Storm even when/if Billy returns. Last season it was the forwards that really stood up and led the way and I think this year even without Proctor they will be crucial to the Storms ladder position. Bromich and Mclean are now both top shelf props. Nelson Asofa-Solomona is going to be a superstar and will add punch off the bench and Glasby and Kaufusi are close to Qld rep honors. Dale Finucane is a workhorse and tackling machine. Having Smith and Cronk working off that forward pack is going to win games. I know Suli Vunivalu was highest try scorer last year but I believe he will be even better this year now that he's had a season of first grade under his belt. There's talk that he and Ado-Carr went head2head over 100m and Suli came out in front. He has got it all, size, speed, strength and now experience. Ado-Carr will also be killing it at the end of a Storm backline with his speed and elusiveness. Looking forward to a Storming season.
Joe
Roar Rookie
I've noticed that this year Peeko and am now getting very nervous that the Storm are being tipped so highly. Much prefer when they're written off early in the season. I do think though they will have a rough start this year without Harris and Slater which might very well see them playing catchup for points at the end to stay in the eight.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Yes, if Billy is back its top four. I'm tipping NAS to have a breakout season. He is a beast and now having a season under his belt I'm tipping him to be one of the Storms weapons this year.
The Doc
Roar Guru
Peeko, I guess we can only wait and see but I certainly think the past is a good predictor of the future and the Melbourne Storm have been a model of absolute consistency for 14 years. NZ warriors would probably be the exact opposite- frighteningly brilliant one day and frustratingly abysmal the next. I hope the NZ can do well - always an excitement machine when they are up and running
The Doc
Roar Guru
Absolutely. We (yes - showing my bias here) were mighty close. I could only console myself knowing that we had won 2 premierships (or4 depending on which way you look at it) and Cronulla had never won in 50 years
The Doc
Roar Guru
Jeandetrotes, Billy Slater had shoulder reconstruction surgery and that ended his 2016 season. I am not certain that he was ever in contention to return for the finals series. no set date on his return - hopefully he returns back to his brilliant usual self
The Doc
Roar Guru
Thanks for the comment Barry. This season there are 49 players over the age of 30. Seems quite a few although it would be interesting to compare this to 2007. As you said, professionalism has gone to new heights. Interestingly, whilst anecdotally it seems NRL players are playing longer, I do not think the same is true for AFL players. At least that is what I think- perhaps the stats may show a different picture. The increased running and fitness demands in conjunction with the collisions has probably lessened the playing careers of AFL players when compared to 20 years ago. As for the NRL, it is great to see so many champions still running around and providing great service to their teams in their 30's
peeeko
Guest
i am a bi believer that the general consensus is generally wrong. Pundits have egg on their face by continually tipping Storm to fall and NZ to thrive. they are now sick of their mistakes and changed ther tune which generally means that the Storm will fall and NZ will go well
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Doc, Many people forgot that the Storm were 2 tries all in the GF and played without their best running back (Slater) and best running forward Nelson Asofa-Solomona.
jeandetroyes
Guest
A little off-topic, but can anyone tell me what happened to Billy Slater? There was talk at the end of last season that he was just about ready to play in the finals, but they didn't want to risk him. Without having played a game since them he's apparently still injured. A bit confusing and doesn't auger well for his future (sadly - a big fan).
Chris
Roar Pro
They will make top four- their leavers have been well covered and they've got good new faces that add to their game. Grand final predictions at this time of year mean as much as an Ebola pancake, but they should get close.