Melbourne are used to regrouping after losing a superstar, this time around they’ve lost five key forwards heading into yet another season where they will somehow still be title contenders.
Last year’s fifth-placed finish was the first time they had finished outside the top four since 2014 and their first-round playoff exit ended a seven-year streak of making at least the preliminary finals stage.
Veteran coach Craig Bellamy is back again for yet another one last season at the helm before making good on his long-running threat to retire, overseeing a squad that features one of the strongest spines in the NRL in the form of Cameron Munster, Jahrome Hughes, Harry Grant and Ryan Papenhuyzen.
The departure of Brandon Smith to the Roosters along with Felise Kaufusi, Jesse and Kenny Bromwich to the Dolphins leaves a gaping hole in their pack but no coach has a better record of bouncing back from body blows like that collective gut punch than Bellamy.
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Path to the trophy
For the Storm to be contenders again, they need their stars to align – that is, Papenhuyzen, Munster, Hughes and Smith to have an extended run together in the key playmaking positions.
Hughes and Munster are durable, Grant played 20 matches for the first time in a season last year but Papenhuyzen has been dogged by concussion problems and a fractured kneecap in the past couple of years.
(Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)
He has played just 27 from a possible 51 matches since winning the Clive Churchill Medal in the 2020 Grand Final triumph over Penrith.
For the Storm to be considered a chance of preventing the Panthers from a premiership three-peat, they not only need their spine to remain intact but for younger squad members, particularly in the forwards, to step up.
Former Dragons veteran Tariq Sims, prop Christian Welch – on the comeback trail from a torn Achilles – Nelson Asofa-Solomona and Tui Kamikamica will be called upon to pick up the slack from the experienced representative forwards who have departed Melbourne.
Scoring points won’t be a problem for the Storm with the likes of Xavier Coates and Justin Olam, but how their new-look pack performs will dictate whether their defence will be strong enough to be a top-four team.
Danger signs
Depth is far and away the Storm’s biggest problem.
Their first-choice 17 should be able to match it more often than not with the very best teams in the NRL but if injuries strike, Bellamy doesn’t have his usual cavalcade of hard-nosed first-graders at his disposal.
Nick Meaney is their Mr Fix-It who can cover all bases in the backline and the halves are a particular weak point if Munster or Hughes are unavailable.
Meaney can fill in at either halves role but outside of him there is only untried but highly rated rookie Jonah Pezet, back-up dummy-half Tyran Wishart or Jayden Nikorima, who played once last year in his first NRL appearance since seven matches in 2016 at the Roosters.
(Photo by Jono Searle/Getty Images)
Losing both long-term edge forwards in Kaufusi and Kenny Bromwich means the Storm may need time to get their combinations on each side of the ruck firing on all cylinders.
The arrival of Eliesa Katoa from the Warriors is one with a high variance. He has been down on form the past couple of seasons as he’s gone in and out of the line-up after an eye-catching 2020 rookie campaign. Bellamy can, and likely will, get the best out of the young Kiwi.
The draw
They’ve got a tough kick-off, away to Parramatta for the first match of the opening round, before a trio of lesser opponents in the Dogs, Titans and Tigers.
Melbourne have a tough trip to Townsville on the Sunday after Origin I, and will be missing their rep stars for a trip to Campbelltown in Round 16 against Wests, but get one of their byes before the third match.
The success of their run to the finals will be determined in the month after Origin when they face the Roosters on the road, a trip to Newcastle, then back-to-back blockbusters at home to Parramatta and away to Penrith. They close out the regular season with bogey team Canberra, before likely wins over the Dragons, Gold Coast and Brisbane.
(Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
The key three: Munster, Grant, Papenhuyzen
After all the drama surrounding lucrative offers to leave at the end of last season, Munster is locked in at the Storm for three more years and the period can be career-defining as the team will look to the charismatic five-eighth to pave the way as the go-to guy in the big moments.
Grant and Papenhuyzen are the additional attacking sparks who will feed off Munster.
Whether darting out of dummy half or converting half-breaks into scoring plays, they have the potential to cause havoc in any defensive line.
Player under pressure: Nelson Asofa-Solomona
Last season he was lucky to avoid suspension on several occasions for dubious acts which bore a very strong resemblance to cheap shots. The Storm need the gigantic Kiwi on the field more than ever after their pack has lost plenty of experience in the off-season but whether he can control his aggression remains to be seen.
Hidden gem: Jack Howarth
A former Australian Schoolboys and Queensland under 19 representative, the 20-year-old centre has been earmarked by the Storm as a star of the future for a couple of years and with the size to also play in the second row, he could be a handy bench option this season.
Coach’s safety rating
He has the job for as long as he wants it – only he knows whether this will be his last year or another season where he decides to delay retirement yet again.
Premiership odds
The Storm are considered the third favourites at $7.50 to win the title with PlayUp behind only the Panthers and Roosters.
Predicted finish
On the fringe of the top four looks their most likely landing spot unless – if they get a golden run with injuries, they could challenge for the title but their roster is thinner than it’s been for a long time.
Squad list
Round 1 predicted team
1 Nick Meaney
2 George Jennings
3 Reimis Smith
4 Justin Olam
5 Xavier Coates
6 Cameron Munster
7 Jahrome Hughes
8 Christian Welch
9 Harry Grant
10 Nelson Asofa-Solomona
11 Eliesa Katoa
12 Tariq Sims
13 Josh King
Interchange
14 Tyran Wishart
15 Tepai Moeroa
16 Trent Loiero
17 Tui Kamikamica
Other squad members: Ryan Papenhuyzen (injured), Dean Ieremia, Jayden Nikorima, Joe Chan, Jonah Pezet, Jordan Grant, Marion Seve, Jack Howarth, Tom Eisenhuth, Alec MacDonald, Aaron Pene, Will Warbrick.
Season draw
| Round | Opponent | Date | Time | Venue |
| 1 | Eels | Thursday, March 2 | 7.50pm | CommBank Stadium |
| 2 | Bulldogs | Saturday, March 11 | 7.35pm | AAMI Park |
| 3 | Titans | Saturday, March 18 | 3pm | Cbus Super Stadium |
| 4 | Tigers | Friday, March 24 | 6pm | AAMI Park |
| 5 | Rabbitohs | Friday, March 31 | 8.05pm | Accor Stadium |
| 6 | Roosters | Thursday, April 6 | 7.50pm | AAMI Park |
| 7 | Sea Eagles | Friday, April 14 | 8pm | 4 Pines Park |
| 8 | Warriors | Tuesday, April 25 | 7pm | AAMI Park |
| 9 | Bye | |||
| 10 | Rabbitohs | Saturday, May 6 | 7.45pm | Suncorp Stadium |
| 11 | Broncos | Thursday, May 11 | 7.50pm | AAMI Park |
| 12 | Dolphins | Saturday, May 20 | 7.35pm | Suncorp Stadium |
| 13 | Bye | |||
| 14 | Cowboys | Sunday, June 4 | 4.05pm | QCB Stadium |
| 15 | Sharks | Sunday, June 11 | 4.05pm | AAMI Park |
| 16 | Tigers | Saturday, June 17 | 7.35pm | Campbelltown Sports Stadium |
| 17 | Sea Eagles | Saturday, June 24 | 7.35pm | AAMI Park |
| 18 | Panthers | Friday, June 30 | 8pm | AAMI Park |
| 19 | Bye | |||
| 20 | Roosters | Saturday, July 15 | 7.35pm | SCG |
| 21 | Knights | Saturday, July 22 | 5.30pm | McDonald Jones Stadium |
| 22 | Eels | Friday, July 28 | 8pm | AAMI Park |
| 23 | Panthers | Friday, August 4 | 8pm | BlueBet Stadium |
| 24 | Raiders | Sunday, August 13 | 2pm | AAMI Park |
| 25 | Dragons | Saturday, August 19 | 7.35pm | WIN Stadium |
| 26 | Titans | Saturday, August 26 | 3pm | AAMI Park |
| 27 | Broncos | Thursday, August 31 | 7.50pm | Suncorp Stadium |
The Mexican
Roar Rookie
Tony, he changed his name to Craig Farnham and he will be having his last year in charge of the Storm for the next 30 years! :happy: :stoked: :silly: :laughing:
GLENN
Guest
Brandon Smith is a strength and also a glaring weakness, his passing out of dummy half is poor, and unless he can fix that lock is probably his best position.
VICTORIAN
Roar Rookie
I think you're right Dan, the forward pack has historically been made up of rags to riches type players, with an exceptional backline. What I see now is we have an exceptional backline and have for the first time in some years got a big, robust forward pack made up of specific types, big, strong, fast and vast majority come through the system. I only can see this as big positives. You only have to give the backs another 2 seconds and they are on, something Jesse and co. just didn't seem to be able to do anymore. Big YEAR coming up.
Dan
Roar Rookie
It's only been fairly recently that Melbourne have had such a dominant forward pack. Early in Bellamy's tenure his pack was built around workhorses and journeyman to match the opposition in the forwards and let their dominant spine decide the game. Ben Cross, Clint Newton, Aiden Tolman, Bryan Norrie and Todd Lowrie have all STARTED in winning Grand Finals. You could even include the likes of Brett White and Dallas Johnson despite their rep honours. I see the current pack as rather in the same mold, and the spine is still the best in the business if fit! As for the bench and depth, Kamikamica, Moeroa, Eisenhuth and Pene have all done a job in the past, Loiero, Chan and McDonald are poised for a breakout year, and Howarth has huge wraps on him. Obviously it isn't nailed on, things have to go right... but I think it's more likely they do then don't.
JennyFromPenny
Guest
The illusion is that it's being a part of the Storm that has brought success to the likes of Slater, Smith, and Cronk. Reality is, it's whichever team these players were part of, is where you would find the success. One went to the Roosters for a short time, the other two only wore Storm colours. All succeeded where they played. None of the three are Stormers any longer, and year to year from 2020 on, Storm have finished Week4, then Week 3, and then Week2. It's a worrying trend. But the bigger worry is that they don't have, what all other teams have. A local junior development program. No cheapies afforded who come through the traditional pathways. That's now more than ever, a salary cap strain, well past the time where cap cheating is the go-to strategy.
Diamond Jackie
Roar Rookie
I'd love you to be right... but you are unlikely to be. For 10 years people have written then off (including me !). With Bellamy there, they will be knocking on the door of Top 4 and going further. Next year - a different story.... I'll be agreeing!
Conelius
Guest
It’s not bad but it looks a lot weaker than previous seasons. Actually, minus Grant, it looks like a really good bench. Who will be the all important bench?
Conelius
Guest
1. roosters best spine in the comp great pack of forwards with plenty of depth 2. Cronulla same team with the same easy draw 3 Cowboys. Same as above with the addition of Tamou returning 4 Penrith/Souths who ever doesn’t get smashed around as much.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
You don’t like all internationals Welch, NAS, Tui, H. Grant and Tariq as your run on ? Hard marker.
Short Memory
Roar Rookie
You seem very sure. Who do you reckon make top 4? And why?
Short Memory
Roar Rookie
Yep. They'll be in the top 4. Might struggle to get beyond that. But with Bellamy cracking the whip you just never know what they might do.
Conelius
Guest
Spine looks great. But what’s a spine without a top notch starting pack of forward’s and four top class bench forwards to keep the team rolling. Now that Penrith have lost Koroisau it is quite clear that the Roosters have the best spine this year. Tedesco, Keary, Walker and Smith looks brilliant.
Succhi
Roar Rookie
The addition of the Dolphins will eventually put a strain on the Storm’s recruitment and player stocks. I think they’ll be in the 8 in 2023, my guess is 7th.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Be interesting to see the role gives Tariq. Personally, Id take him off the edge and give him 20 -30 in the middle rotation with NAS or Tui maintaining the brutality with Welch. Loiero edge with Chan or Katoa. Still a big fast side with the best 9, 6, 7, 1 group in the league.
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
You often seem to have a pessistic view of the Storm's chances. I'm not sure if this is by nature, or works as a protection against disappointment. With a spine of Grant, Hughes, and Munster, a strong pack led by Welch, and decent backs, most people would think they are contenders.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Storm still on their slow decent I predicted after Cam Smith
Conelius
Guest
All teams need an enforcer, Asofa-Solomona tries hard but with four quality Test match forwards leaving the Storm, they are no hope for a top four finish. Put a line through them now. Not even Bellamy can alter the downward spiral of this club now. Forwards need to dominate the opposition for the backs to have the space to show their flair in attack. Melbourne’s pack is second rate these days. I consider the Storm to finish the regular season somewhere between Seventh at the absolute highest and tenth. Their time is over and will only worsen once Bellamy retires next season.
Leon
Guest
Storm need their spine healthy if they do they be a title contender best 6 and 9 top 3 halfback also Bellamy always nobodies and make them into somebodies to help replace their depth.
The Sporacle
Roar Rookie
I see them losing 9 games, putting them on 36 points. That probably has them about 5th again. First round loss coming up for them for the first time in a while :thumbup:
Tony Dargon
Roar Guru
Or perhaps the Broncos would like him back. After all, he had a win % of 53.5 at the Broncos while Kev is still hovering below 42%.