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Opinion
There comes a time for every club where they reach a crossroad.
A crossroad where success will eventually lead into rebuild. And from rebuild, a tumultuous time of loss.
It may seem irresponsible to describe Melbourne Storm this way, but 2020 seems like the final year where their era of success may come to an inevitable end.
It was only last year when the Melbourne Storm just fell short of reaching their fourth consecutive NRL grand final, a remarkable feat for any professional sporting side. Most clubs dream of a season like that, but the expectations south of the border are much, much higher.
Yet with the departure of high-profile players such as Brodie Croft, Curtis Scott and Will Chambers, 2020 may indeed mark the last time we see Melbourne reach the powerhouse standards they have always set.
(Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)
It seems foolish to question this given a roster including arguably the greatest player of all time in Cameron Smith, and one of the most innovative coaches in the modern era, Craig Bellamy. And let’s not forget the likes of Jesse Bromwich, Dale Finucane and Cameron Munster.
But 2020 will indeed signal the end.
I’m not saying that the Storm will dramatically drop out of the top eight, but this year will be the last great year the mighty Melbourne giant will have for years to come.
Both superstar wingers Suliasi Vunivalu and Josh Addo-Carr have confirmed 2020 will be their final year with the club, and it seems apparent that Cameron Smith will finally hang up the boots. And while they have boom youngster Brandon Smith as the heir apparent, stepping into the shoes of captain courageous is no easy feat.
This may seem quick to judge given the fact that the Storm have still found success with the recent losses of two greats in Billy Slater and Cooper Cronk. However, the recent loss of stars and the gaping hole Cameron Smith will leave will be very tough to fill. Like every great club, the Storm will eventually fall.
Both Cameron Smith and Craig Bellamy must strike this year and try and claim the club’s fourth legitimate NRL premiership, as it looms large that their decade-long dynasty may finally come to an end.
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