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Opinion
Leading into the game against the Canberra Raiders on Sunday afternoon, Melbourne Storm fans were likely feeling hopeful.
Despite two losses in a row, this game saw the return of the Storm’s full spine for the first time since Round 9 this year. With the likes of Ryan Papenhuyzen, Harry Grant and Cameron Munster back in the squad together, many predicted Melbourne would return to their dominant best.
After all, the Storm rarely lose two games in a row, let alone three.
But it was not to be.
In the first half of the match Papenhuyzen left the field. It was later confirmed that he had suffered a fractured patella, which will rule him out for the rest of the season.
From there things went from bad to worse for the Storm, losing to the Raiders 20-16, suffering their third defeat in a row for the first time since Round 14-18 in 2015.
The Storm’s chances at a top-four finish now hang in the balance. While Melbourne sit in fourth spot on the ladder, there are on equal points with the Brisbane Broncos and Parramatta Eels and just two points ahead of the South Sydney Rabbitohs. They also have a string of games coming up in their run home against current top-eight teams, including the South Sydney Rabbitohs, Penrith Panthers, Brisbane Broncos and Parramatta Eels.
Do I dare to ask the question of whether the Storm will miss the top four? Or potentially even miss the finals altogether?
If the latter were to happen, it would be only the third time in the club’s history and the first time since 2010, when they were stripped of their points for salary cap breaches.
(Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
I am of the view that the Storm will make the finals but will just miss out on the top four. But I make this prediction with caution given that every time I have predicted a Melbourne demise, they have proven me wrong.
They have the best player in the world at their disposal in Cameron Munster – a magician who can create points in almost any situation.
But even with Munster and all his ability, something seems different about the Storm this year.
One of the most impressive things about the side in recent years has been their ability to perform without their proven stars. In the past, even during the State of Origin period, the Storm managed to unearth the next crop of players who would begin to feature in their first-grade team. It became part of their strategy to be strong during this period.
Additionally, given their strong contingent of international players, there was enough leadership to guide the team through a tricky State of Origin period.
For this reason, even in years where the team has suffered significant impact due to injury, the team have managed. In fact they have rarely missed a beat.
But this year I am noticing who Melbourne are missing more and more and, with respect, the players who covered during the State of Origin period did not look like the next generation of superstars.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Then there are the injuries.
While players like Cameron Munster and Brandon Smith have missed games this year, Christian Welch and now Ryan Papenhuyzen have been ruled out for the entire season. These are two key players for the Storm from both an on-field and an off-field perspective.
Where the impact is even more noticeable is in the backline. Currently Xavier Coates is out until Round 22, George Jennings and Reimis Smith have been ruled out for the season. While Jennings and Smith are not the first two players you think of when you think of Melbourne, their injuries have meant that the side’s backline stocks are depleted. Teams have started using that to their advantage too and are targeting them on the edge, where they have been successful in scoring points.
Make no mistake, despite the challenges that face this team, Craig Bellamy will absolutely still be demanding excellence from them.
But perhaps other teams have now worked out that Melborune are vulnerable. In the past the Storm were almost untouchable, like the Penrith Panthers have become – to beat them you had to do everything right and have a little bit of luck go your way.
But as the Sharks, Raiders and Sea Eagles have demonstrated in recent weeks, this is no longer the case. The Storm are making uncharacteristic errors, including bombing certain try-scoring opportunities. They are struggling to get down the field.
They can be beaten.
Melbourne’s match this weekend is crucial to get back on track, and it is no easy mission.
The Rabbitohs are finding form at the right part of the season and are surging towards finals thanks to the efforts of Latrell Mitchell.
Souths are one of the most damaging teams when they spread the ball, which is going to be a big challenge for the inexperienced Melbourne backline.
With the ladder so congested and several teams right on their heels, each game from now on is crucial.
Where do you think the Storm will finish season 2022?