The Storm put together one of the most dominant seasons in recent memory to walk away as champions in 2017.
The Storm lost on just four occasions in 2017, easily the best record in the competition. They were the best attacking unit, and had easily the most miserly defence.
It looked likely that the Storm would be crowned premiers a long way out from season’s end. There was always a fair bit of difference in class from them to the other 15 teams.
The story of the off-season has been the defection of Cooper Cronk to the Sydney Roosters. It was long known that Cronk would have his last season in purple in 2017, but it was uncertain whether he would continue on elsewhere until after Melbourne’s grand final win over the Cowboys.
The move ends the dynasty that Cronk, Cameron Smith and Billy Slater created at club, state and international level. Though 2017 marked the long-awaited return of Slater from a string of serious injuries, their win over the Cowboys is probably the last time the three will play together.
How does their squad rate?
The Storm have lost Cronk, Jordan McLean, Tohu Harris and Slade Griffin, while Ryan Hoffman and Sam Kasiano headline the list of recruits.
Even with some high-profile departures this is a squad stacked with class.
Slater picked up where he left off last season in a wonderful return from injury. He is still in the top three fullbacks in the game.
The wing pairing is the most potent in the game. We all knew Suliasi Vunivalu was a weapon from his debut season in 2016, but Josh Addo-Carr was just as good in 2017, as they scored 42 tries between them for the regular season.
Will Chambers is a mainstray in rep sides at centre. They have a few options for the other centre position, such as Curtis Scott and Cheyse Blair.
We saw only a limited amount of game time for Brodie Croft last year, who will get first crack at halfback, but he looks a prospect. They also have Ryley Jacks, Billy Walters and Cooper Johns in their play-making stocks.
Cameron Munster has developed into an Origin-quality half and is also cover if Slater goes down.
The pack has plenty of size, aggression and depth. Nelson Asofa-Solomona and Felise Kaufusi are coming off their best seasons, Tim Glasby was picked for Queensland in 2017, Dale Finucane is one of the most reliable locks in the game, and Kasiano looks the fittest we have seen.
Cameron Smith is coming off a year where he won the Dally M medal. They have depth too, with Brandon Smith making his debut and looking the goods last year.
Ins
Ryan Hoffman (Warriors – 2018), Sam Kasiano (Bulldogs – 2020), Patrick Kaufusi (Cowboys – 2018), Sandor Earl (unattached – 2018), Billy Walters (Brisbane Easts – 2018), Cooper Johns (Sea Eagles – 2018), Kayleb Milne (NZ rugby – 2018)
Outs
Jesse Arthars (Rabbitohs), Cooper Cronk (Roosters), Slade Griffin (Knights), Tohu Harris (Warriors), Jordan McLean (Cowboys), Mark Nicholls (Rabbitohs), Robbie Rochow (Wests Tigers), Jeremy Hawkins, Nate Myles (retired), Vincent Leuluai (Rabbitohs)
AAP Image/David Moir
Key men
Smith and Slater have retirement in sight, but you wouldn’t know it from the seasons they had last year, becoming champions at club, state and international level.
The Storm have plenty of other players who will have a big say if they can go back to back, but none bigger than these two.
We saw how far the Cowboys got last year without their superstar halfback, Johnathan Thurston, but at the final hurdle they missed his class, experience and composure.
The roster is the best in the league, the coach has done it all before, as has Slater and Smith. But if they want to do it two years running, it will be up to these two to keep the group focused, show the leadership they are renowned for, and hopefully stay fresh enough to last the distance.
Where do they need to improve?
Fifteen teams will be trying to find a weakness in this machine-like outfit.
They had little room for improvement last year, and it was telling in the way they emphatically dispatched of a number of opposition teams.
Top five clashes
Round 3: Storm vs Cowboys, AAMI Park, March 22
A home grand final rematch will be the first real challenge of the season for the Storm. It might have been a big win in October last year, and a record of three from three against the Cowboys last season, but the boys from the North will be up for the challenge.
Round 4: Sharks vs Storm, Southern Cross Group Stadium, March 30
There is always plenty of spite and feeling in this game. Grand final combatants in 2016, they have traded barbs since.
Round 16: Roosters vs Storm, Adelaide Oval, July 5
The only opportunity Melbourne will have to take on Cooper Cronk in the regular season. Both sides should have aspirations of a top-two finish.
Round 23: Storm vs Eels, AAMI Park, August 17
The Eels were one of only four teams to lower the Storm’s colours last season and they very nearly did again in Week 1 of the finals.
Round 25: Storm vs Panthers, AAMI Park, August 31
The Storm haven’t been troubled by the Panthers at home since the early 2000s. Melbourne could well be crowned minor premiers at the end of this match. Who knows what the Panthers will be playing for.
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How will they go?
You could wax lyrical all day about the reigning premiers.
Early in the season you would expect them to just keep on keeping on. They looked just as sharp in the World Club Challenge as they did last October, with Croft slotting in for Cronk nicely.
In seasons gone by, they have struggled over Origin, but in 2017 they just kept the talent coming. Even injury wouldn’t dent their hopes too badly.
As is always the case with the premiers, it will come down to managing fatigue and finding the same hunger to do it again – we saw the Sharks burn out badly at the end of last year.
A number of players featured in the World Cup last year and will play Origin this year. Will they have the legs at the end of 2018?
The Storm will be preliminary finalists at worst, but they will encounter a team that just wants it more and puts together a perfect performance to topple them.
Predicted finish
Third
Gus O
Guest
I think it is funny that so many people are doubting Cronk at the Roostrs but talking up Brodie Croft under the “Storm system”. Croft has emerged under the mentoring of Cronk, as Munster has done under the mentoring of Slater. I am more interested to see what Cronk makes of the Roosters spine and how he can bring Teddy and their outside backs into the game as an attacking force. Cannot wait, it could be a special year if both teams can stay healthy.
Albo
Guest
I'm with you Baz. I see no reason they can't be minor premiers again this year. Croft is already a functioning Cronk clone with some extra speed and under the best on-field & off field guidance. The other young guys they had already going well last year will be even better this year. Asofa-Solomona came of age in the WC and I expect he will dominate a lot of their forward play this season. Curtis Scott is another budding star in an already star studded backline. Only queries for me is the Slater shoulder, or worse, a long term injury to Smith. Then all bets will be off. But if these two stars stay fit I can see the Storm going back to back.
FNQ
Guest
It was trial game mate. There were about a few intrust cup players there in the last row minutes. Storms et written off every year. They are too old, we have been hearing every year. Now they say we won't be there, too inexperienced half.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Great article. As The Barry mentioned above the two big questions are the halves and Billy Slaters shoulder. I think the Storm halves will be the least experienced pairing in the NRL this year. Munster has played a season but had Cronk at 7 and Croft has only played 4 NRL games. Even if they bring in Jacks who had a handful of games last year and Walters who hasn't played first grade they are still going to be the most inexperienced halves pairing. Smith will take some pressure off but the halves still need to run the team. The other issue is Crofts defence. Cronk is probably the best defensive half in the competition and Croft will not be anywhere near that level and definitely not on a weekly basis which is why I suspect he will be rested or off the bench for some games to lighten the load. I also have doubts on Slaters shoulder lasting the season and if he goes the Storm premiership chances are going to fall drastically. They can still get their with Munster and Hughes who is likely going to be Storms next fullback but with young halves they really need both Smith and Slater in that spine. The other weakness in this Storm team is JACs defence both on line and in the air. The Cowboys exposed this in the trial with Feldt and also last year the Roosters with Ferguson. With Cronk and JT back they will test him for sure and I expect other teams to follow suit. Most of the wingers who come to the Storm end up being excellent in the air but at the moment JAC isn't there yet. He can't be dropped though because of what he offers in attack. I think they're a 3-8 team this year.
Asko
Guest
As long as some clubs are allowed to slow down the attacking teams play the ball, the Comp will be one sided and unfair. While the Storm are a very talented, well coached team, they are a blight on the game the way they slow down the play the ball when they are in defence. Fair dinkum, Cameron Smith could eat a sandwich in the time it takes him to roll around and imped an attacking player trying to play the ball. The result is that the mighty Storm defence is always reset and the attacking team lose momentum. The referees never pull it up. The Storm aren't the only team with this tactic, the Broncos are also right up there. No point bringing in rules to speed up the game when these tactics cancel the effect and give an unfair advantage.
Nat
Roar Guru
I would like to think the Storm will not be as dominant this year but at least there is a few other teams that should step up a notch toward them. Losing Cronk (obviously) is huge but McLean and Harris were big parts of their structures, however, Bellamy has a history of slotting in forwards with success and Kasiano is looking fit. I'm not sure they'll dip as far as 4th, especially with the Eels above them but they will still be a benchmark.
Paul
Roar Guru
I don't know the Storm will have as dominant a season this year as they did last season because there seem to be a few more Clubs with the strength across the park and the depth to go with them, eg Cowboys and Roosters have both improved on paper. The finals are the issue though aren't they? All that has to happen is a side lifts in the preliminary finals, as Parra did last year, knock them off by a point and the Storm don't go back to back. Very good analysis Jack.
Duncan Smith
Guest
Let's see how Crofts and Jacks go this week against the Dogs. Aside from the two future immortals, this is quite a young team - which is good news for the Storm.
Chilli
Roar Rookie
Will be interesting.. im hearing a lot about Cronk leaving may not be such a huge thing with young croft emerging. I tend to err on the side of caution with a cronkless storm. I mean we are talking about blokes who've had a decade together. Its a massive loss emotionally and mentally.. on the field its those little 1%ers that seem almost telepathic that storm were so adept at converting into points. Its not going to be there this year...that almost magical chain of play has been broken and we can all cue the ol link in chain analogy right here. In a game of cms theyve lost a couple here and its all down to croft to recapture which is a lot to ask. Munster will be huge no doubt but from all reports he is no leader of men. Smithy and Slater are eyeing retirement and this latest setback with Billys shoulder is going to weigh heavily on him. Emotionally i reckon you are bang on about less gifted teams just out willing them on the paddock. My tip is a leaking 6th at best and thats only if Slater is back by rd2-3 to provide some inspiration. No good things!
frnq
Guest
Scott Drinkwater can play full back and the halves This team is getting younger.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I’m normally happy to put a line through the defending premiers. This year not so much. They were so much better than anyone else in 2017. They finished six points clear of second, which was the biggest gap in the entire ladder. Their differential was almost double second best and more than four times third best. Minor premiers, premiers, world club champions, Dally m player of the year, leading tryscorer (two in the top five), Churchill medalist. They didn’t have to travel to England for the WCC which knocks teams about. They’ve also managed to freshen up their squad. The big question marks are obviously how Croft replaces Cronk and now how serious is Slater’s shoulder injury. It’s looking like he will miss round one now. But they’ve got Jacks as a back up to Croft if necessary. They lose McLean but they replace him with Glasby in the starting lineup, get Welch back from injury and have signed Kasiano. I don’t think that’s too much of a loss. Similarly they replace Harris with Hoffman, but Harris spent a lot of last season injured or coming back from injury so while it’s a player downgrade at this stage of their careers the Storm won’t lose much from 2017. These changes bring them back to the field a little, but I don’t think anywhere near enough. I think they’ll be minor premiers unless they have significant injuries.
Jack Aubrey
Roar Guru
Yeah that's an error on my part. Storm will finish fourth. Thanks mate
DP Schaefer
Guest
You had Eels third. So Eels and Storm =3rd? Good series, been enjoyable and fed some of my pre-season blues. Thanks