Melbourne have found their Nicho Hynes replacement with Canterbury back Nick Meaney on the verge of signing a two-year deal with the NRL premiers.
Meaney met with Storm coach Craig Bellamy last week, and had planned to sit down with the Bulldogs during the bye round to allow them one last pitch.
However he has now made the call to head south, with confirmation on his future expected shortly.
The move comes as another blow to the Bulldogs, who endured a rotten Friday.
They first saw Dylan Napa headline a list of three players forced into isolation after visiting a COVID-19 hotspot, before Shaun Johnson chose to skip them and return to the Warriors.
Meanwhile Meaney has made no secret of the lure to join Melbourne.
He earlier this week compared them to the NBA’s LA Lakers, claiming any player would want to play with them.
However he had his family’s future to consider, with a baby boy due in October and decisions to be made on where he wants to raise him.
“You look at any other sport. You look at the Lakers in the NBA or whoever the top team is in the AFL, any player will want to play for them,” Meaney said on Sunday.
“But at the same time we only play footy for 10 years in our life if we are lucky. So you have to make the right decision for your family and your future.
“It’s game time, your financial options and long-term where you want to live.
“They (Melbourne) have lost Nicho Hynes so they need to have someone for that back-up fullback and utility back.”
That lure eventually won out, with Hynes having gone from a bench player at the end of last year to a Cronulla-bound superstar filling in for Ryan Papenhuyzen during parts of this season.
The move leaves the Bulldogs looking at an even newer-look backline for next year, with Josh Addo-Carr and Brent Naden both set to arrive.
The Barry
Roar Guru
He’s a solid player but not much more than that. There’s been a lot of talk about what he could do and the player he could be He’s had a few cracks to make the jersey his own but never been quite good enough to do it. I guess there’s every chance he’ll kick on in the Storm system under Bellamy and with their players I wish him all the best. One thing no one can knock him for is that he puts in every time he takes the field. I appreciate his efforts for the club in a very tough time…
Tom G
Roar Rookie
He’s not a bad pick up for the Storm.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Being wanted by Melbourne confirms they should have kept him. I like Meany - as a player - always though he was under-appreciated at Dogs. He'll shine in Melbourne, good luck to him.
kk
Roar Pro
Wish List #1. To have them reunited at Belmore.
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
Meanwhile, Josh Jackson is looking at Dale Finucane and thinking, 'That could have been me!'
Walter Black
Guest
" or whoever the top team is in the AFL" Yeah, and with an attitude like that, he is obviously made of the right stuff.
Walter Black
Guest
There was a line in the Storm's announcement re Meaney that called him a pretty handy kicker. Given their problems kicking conversions earlier in the season before Hynes took on the role, I can see exactly what they mean.
kk
Roar Pro
Wonder if Reimis Smith was any influence? Hope the Bulldogs don't become a Storm nursery.
Phil
Roar Rookie
Good move for Meaney and the Storm. Many players have gone to play under Bellamy to become much better footballers and this young bloke could well be another. He has raw talent, just the type of player the Melbourne system likes to get hold of and train them the Storm way. He won't oust Papenhuyzen from fullback but will be a ready made replacement for Hynes, able to cover multiple positions.
Tony
Roar Guru
The Dogs will probably buy him back in a couple of years for big dollars :happy:
Albo
Roar Rookie
100% Tony. Yet to demonstrate just how good he could be . Moving to the Storm will change all that. A great replacement for Hynes and standby for Papenhuyzen.
Tony
Roar Guru
Always had a lot of time for Meaney as a player. I guess this is a good career move for him but I thought he'd be one that the Dogs should have kept.