Since their inception twenty years ago, the Melbourne Storm have been the most successful team over the last two decades. With three premierships to their name and a star-studded ‘who’s who’ list of players to don the purple pride jersey, this team was not easy to make.
Only 17 can make the team out of the 100-plus players to play for the Storm. Here is my best team ever.
1, Fullback: Billy Slater
Seriously who else would I pick? The best fullback to ever play the game needs no justification for his selection, it’s just common sense.
2 and 5, Wingers: Josh Addo-Carr and Suliasi Vunivalu
The two best wingers in the game at the moment need to be on this team. Many readers of my all-time best ever NRL team were a little upset and confused as to why I picked these two, but for the Storm, there would be little debate about their selection.
3 and 4, Centres: Greg Inglis and Will Chambers
Pretty much the two best centres the Storm and the game have seen, easily contenders for any team at centre, be it Queensland or even Australia.
The talent of these two men is incredible, and Inglis’ ability to fill in at five-eighth or fullback strengthens an already strong backline.
6, Five-eighth: Cameron Munster
Lots of names were considered for this spot, Scott Hill, Gareth Widdop, but I went with Munster. His ability to play at five-eighth and fullback is amazing and the soon-to-be permanent replacement for Johnathan Thurston at Queensland is a solid pick for this team.
7, Halfback: Cooper Cronk
No surprises that the second member of the Storm’s ‘big three’ makes the team at halfback. No other man would fill this spot and nothing more needs to be said.
Cooper Cronk is a Storm legend. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
8 and 10, Props: Glenn Lazarus and Jesse Bromwich
The Brick with eyes, the man that lead the Storm to their first history-making premiership in only their second season and, arguably, the best prop ever is a smart and reliable choice for this team. Pairing him with the most successful prop at the club is a match made for success.
9, Hooker: Cameron Smith (c)
Yeah, pretty much the game’s best player and arguably the best of all time, a future Immortal, I challenge someone out there to pick somebody else.
11 and 12, Second Row: Ryan Hoffman and Kevin Proctor
Two hard working men that were a stable of success at the club for a long time.
This pair played in the 2012 premiership-winning season and I can’t think of a better pairing for the second row. The Storm have had their fair share of New Zealand talent in their team over the years and Proctor is one of their best.
Hoffman is hard to go past with everything he achieved at the club.
13, Lock: Tawera Nikau
The best lock the club ever had and one of the legends of the game, Nikau, a New Zealand international representative and a member of the 1999 premiership season, will always be my first pick for the lock position.
Interchange
14: Matt Geyer
A legend of the club and, with his ability to fill in anywhere in the back line and his goal kicking, it’s hard not to pick the original record maker of the club.
15: Robbie Kearns
A perfect replacement for Lazarus in the upfront duties, Kearny was a reliable member of the club for the go forward. An easy pick.
16: Stephen Kearney
Another original legend of the club and an easy pick for a replacement for the second row.
17: Tim Glasby
A newer member of the club who is only going to get better. He has more Origin and International rep duties in his future.
Well, that’s my best ever 17 for the Storm. Who did I leave out and what changes would you make?
Ben
Roar Guru
I would've had Scott Hill on the bench also. He was an exceptional 5/8th, but also a very good lock.
Ben
Roar Guru
Couldn't find room for Matt Rua... ?
Dan
Guest
Centers Chambers and Inglis. Wingers. Suli and Marcus Bai 5/8 - Scott Hill
Jason Andrews
Roar Pro
Hill and Jonson great players but not for my team. plus if I have not watched footy before 2016 i would not have picked five players from the 1999 premiership winning side would i??
Jason Andrews
Roar Pro
How is it debatable that Slater is not the best fullback ever? Plus Beetson was more of a second rower than a prop and never player for the Storm. You would have agree that Lazarus was the best prop ever. Also if you read my NRL best article you would know that I picked Beetson in the second row.
Louis McIntyre
Roar Guru
A fair team, but you throw out a lot of 'best player the game has seen' comments. I'll agree with you on Cam Smith. But Inglis and Chamber 'Pretty much the two best centres the Storm and the game have seen.' Are we forgetting Meninga, Fulton, Gasnier? Inglis goes close but not Chambers. It's also debatable that Slater and Lazarus are the best ever in their positions as well (Artie Beetson?)
no one in particular
Roar Guru
Scott Hill and Dallas Johnson never existed? I doubt you watched rugby league before 2016
Jason Andrews
Roar Pro
thanks for reading Joe.
Joe
Roar Rookie
I like that list except for Glasby. Considering the number of years he's had at the Storm where he's been mostly a bench player I can't give him a place. The likes of Jordan Mclean, Dallas Johnston, Tohu Harris, Dale Finucane even Adam Blair I'd have in front of Glasby. Glasby is one of those many Storm recruits that play their role to the best of their abilities within the Storm system but don't become one of the best in their position in the game...similar to Brian Norrie, Hinchcliffe, Lowrie, Croker. For the 2nd row I think its a close one between Tohu and Proctor but happy to go Proctor for years served.