Just a thread for general Melbourne Storm discussions, I was a bit surprised to find we didn't already have one!
I find the commentary around Josh Addo-Carr and his contract status as a bit bizarre.
Just a week or so back the NSW NRL Media Mafia turned on him, for failing to honour a pledge to return to Wests Tigers which expires if he doesn't return from "Bleak Town" to Wests Tigers this season. They basically labelled him a dog, and the labelled the decision a dog act, without explicitly using those words!
Now despite committing to Melbourne Storm for 2021 he has been seen visiting Canterbury-Bankstown, and all of a sudden it's love again and he is leaving the Melbourne Storm for a new Bulldogs home in 2022. The irony is, by delaying his return from 2021 to 2022 he has basically been able to wipe the Wests Tigers agreement and saddle up for a massive Canterbury-Bankstown cash cow deviating his final destination by less than 10km in the process!
I find the commentary around Josh Addo-Carr and his contract status as a bit bizarre.
Just a week or so back the NSW NRL Media Mafia turned on him, for failing to honour a pledge to return to Wests Tigers which expires if he doesn't return from "Bleak Town" to Wests Tigers this season. They basically labelled him a dog, and the labelled the decision a dog act, without explicitly using those words!
Now despite committing to Melbourne Storm for 2021 he has been seen visiting Canterbury-Bankstown, and all of a sudden it's love again and he is leaving the Melbourne Storm for a new Bulldogs home in 2022. The irony is, by delaying his return from 2021 to 2022 he has basically been able to wipe the Wests Tigers agreement and saddle up for a massive Canterbury-Bankstown cash cow deviating his final destination by less than 10km in the process!
Yes, the Silver Fox was getting cold feet about West Tigers earlier in the year, but that Heads of Agreement meant they have the first option. The Tigers not coming to the table with an acceptable offer to Melbourne also helped and now it looks like they will get nothing.
Still no news on Cameron Smith? It's been very quiet there. I do hope he plays on (if he wants to) and we keep Harry Grant and Brandon Smith, but where do you play them all in 2021?
I have thought Cameron Smith could play half even if we lose Jarrome Hughes, or further back in the pack if we lose someone else.
Hope we end up keeping Cooper Johns, I think he will be a good player long term. There is quite a queue at the Storm for positions.
Still no news on Cameron Smith? It's been very quiet there. I do hope he plays on (if he wants to) and we keep Harry Grant and Brandon Smith, but where do you play them all in 2021?
I have thought Cameron Smith could play half even if we lose Jarrome Hughes, or further back in the pack if we lose someone else.
Hope we end up keeping Cooper Johns, I think he will be a good player long term. There is quite a queue at the Storm for positions.
I'd heard that Hughes is gone, it's a done deal. he'll be missed but the Storm are happy to let him go for a better offer they cannot match.
It's hard to see Storm retaining all the talent, they want Harry Grant back in and I think a season besides Cam would be perfect. I suppose they must also consider the future money needed to retain Pap, Munster, Hynes, etc., etc.. If at the end of 2021 they lose Cam as well as Josh that'll go a long way to secure the kids, as long as they can keep the wolves at bay until then!
Some rumours also that Brandon Smith is being courted for a 2022 move, apparently he has agreed to 1 year more despite having a get out clause if Cam plays on.
I suppose I can imagine Brandon leaving or being forced out which delivers Harry a spot besides Cameron.
A bizarre thing for me is how the Storm players are always associate with Wests, it's a bit like our old days when Carlton players would "retire" to The Aints!
The thing about Brandon Smith is that he can play multiple roles. The obvious position aside from Hooker is back at Lock. If Jarome Hughes does go it will free up a position and enable us to keep Cameron Smith, Brandon Smith and Harry Grant in the one team. It may limit game time to Cooper Johns, but he will get his opportunities and learn a lot this coming year.
Given Queensland's Origin success, it is the likes of Christian Welch who opposition teams will target with offers (Broncos in particular). Harry Grant will get a long-term deal in Melbourne, but if the Broncos offer a big-money longer deal for someone like Welch it will be almost impossible to match. They may do the same for Felise Kaufusi, but I suspect it would be the Warriors or Cowboys more in his case. We have more coverage in the pack with Chris Lewis and Max King assuming they stay. Both can play Second Row or Lock, and additionally, Nicho Hynes is versatile enough to play from Second Row out to the Centres.
It will be an interesting offseason and we won't know until the roster is finalised. I would expect a couple of journeymen to find their way to the Storm again this year.
A bizarre thing for me is how the Storm players are always associate with Wests, it's a bit like our old days when Carlton players would "retire" to The Aints!
Interesting comparison, I would agree they are the 'old St Kilda' in today's NRL. They have good juniors at times but obviously poor mangement.
Interesting to read Jarome Hughes is re-signing at The Storm, probably a positive sign of things happening behind the scenes because reports are he turned down a substantial offer to leave.
Interesting to read Jarome Hughes is resigning at The Storm, probably a positive sign of things happening behind the scenes because reports are he turned down a substantial offer to leave.
I think also the Storm system is very well set and the players know they have a strong roster. Even with Smith leaving the Storm will be a force in the NRL. When you go to the Sydney or Brisbane bubble then you lose that private life you can have in Melbourne, that is another factor for some players.
Interesting to read Jarome Hughes is resigning at The Storm, probably a positive sign of things happening behind the scenes because reports are he turned down a substantial offer to leave.
The joys of English grammar - 'Resigning' versus 'Re-signing' - what a difference a hyphen makes!
The joys of English grammar - 'Resigning' versus 'Re-signing' - what a difference a hyphen makes!
Yes, best tell autocordwreck!
Sporting clubs are an enigma.
About 11am today Storm reported Munster and Grant out for two weeks.
A couple of hours later at 1:30pm, they posted highlights of training with a picture of Grant in full flight!
(https://www.melbournestorm.com.au/siteassets/2021/05/11/img_1633.jpg?center=0.33%2C0.54&preset=photo-enlarged)
Of course, the training session was yesterday, but you'd think the club marketing division would be switched on to the idea Grant was out for two weeks!
Sporting clubs are an enigma.
About 11am today Storm reported Munster and Grant out for two weeks.
A couple of hours later at 1:30pm, they posted highlights of training with a picture of Grant in full flight!
(https://www.melbournestorm.com.au/siteassets/2021/05/11/img_1633.jpg?center=0.33%2C0.54&preset=photo-enlarged)
Of course, the training session was yesterday, but you'd think the club marketing division would be switched on to the idea Grant was out for two weeks!
It's a loss but Brandon Smith goes to number 9 and assuming Papenhauzen plays, then Nicho Hynes can move to lock.
It's a loss but Brandon Smith goes to number 9 and assuming Papenhauzen plays, then Nicho Hynes can move to lock.
Brandon Smith was suspended for a shoulder charge.
Brandon Smith was suspended for a shoulder charge.
It will depend on availability, but I wonder if Tyson Smoothy is in line for a season debut? Do they go with him or reshuffle the line-up?. Smoothy is kicking the ball a lot more in the QLD cup this year, if he plays it would be interesting to see if he can produce that at NRL level.
INS
Aaron Pene
Ryan Papenhuyzen
Ryley Jacks
Tom Eisenhuth
Trent Loiero
Tyson Smoothy
OUTS
Brandon Smith
Cameron Munster
Harry Grant
It looks like Xavier Coates has signed with Storm for next year. Instant replacement for the departing Addo-Carr. Big get.
https://www.msn.com/en-au/sport/news/brisbane-broncos-young-gun-xavier-coates-signs-with-melbourne-storm-on-two-year-deal/ar-BB1gwq7J
Coates is a big boy and moves very well, reminds me a bit of Vunivalu rather than Addo-Carr.
Addo-Carr will be tough to replace, you can't coach pure pace, but we do have a few fast players that can potentially roll through various positions.
Smoothy looks OK, pity about the PCL.
Like I said, if and when Bellamy retires we should offer him a pension to hang around Carlton! How does he do it, how does he have these guys coming in cold looking ready for the top shelf?
Smoothy looks OK, pity about the PCL.
Like I said, if and when Bellamy retires we should offer him a pension to hang around Carlton! How does he do it, how does he have these guys coming in cold looking ready for the top shelf?
It is no accident but it is also not just Bellamy. The Storm has established a system which why the players are so well prepared. Bellamy was instrumental in setting that system up but is not the super coach (day coach) that makes the team so consistent. He drives standards but as part of a larger group. It is that which we need at Carlton.
The Storm have so much depth now there is almost the makings of a second Melbourne team!
The Storm have so much depth now there is almost the makings of a second Melbourne team!
Melbourne Storm has kept me going through the last 20 years of Carlton FC.......
Melbourne Storm has kept me going through the last 20 years of Carlton FC.......
x2
Getting very nervous about Pape now, what is it if we take in byes and Origin, two months?
Melbourne Storm has kept me going through the last 20 years of Carlton FC.......
[/quote
Me too tonyo.
Peter vlandys has been quiet lately, must be some kind of a problem happening in NSW....?
How about AFL GF at MCG on last Sat in Sep, and NRL GF at AAMI Park the day after?
:)) :)) :))
Very sad news. Dale Finucane is off to Cronulla with Nicho Hynes. A big loss indeed.
Interested to see how they fit Nick Meaney in to the team
Yes, sad to see him go, has been a great servant of the club, we might find a bit more of this happening in the post-COVID era.
As long as we make clubs like Cronulla pay overs! ;)
Yes, sad to see him go, has been a great servant of the club, we might find a bit more of this happening in the post-COVID era.
As long as we make clubs like Cronulla pay overs! ;)
Unfortunately, you can't keep them all, and Cronulla have the wallet out big time - and he has been touted as a departure all season. Hopefully, he goes out with another premiership ring.
The good news follows: Craig Bellamy will commit to another deal with Melbourne Storm. Apparently (to be announced) he will coach in 2022 with a possible move to a director of football role and him selecting a replacement coach.
The good news follows: Craig Bellamy will commit to another deal with Melbourne Storm. Apparently (to be announced) he will coach in 2022 with a possible move to a director of football role and him selecting a replacement coach.
Signed for 5 years, so he is there until 2026, but will decide/review in March each year whether he continues to coach or moves into another role.
First Bellyache, now Pap has signed on until 2025.
Tonight's Storm v Panthers game, 1st vs 2nd, Postponed TBA
Naysayers, anti-vaxxers and sceptics are shooting us in the foot, now we can't even watch crowdless games!
Storm v Panthers
4:05 today, crowdless with restrictions.
Storm v Panthers
4:05 today, crowdless with restrictions.
After that result, the biggest threat to Melbourne Storm is only themselves. If they are switched on, it is daylight second. Especially if the GF is in Melbourne.
After that result, the biggest threat to Melbourne Storm is only themselves. If they are switched on, it is daylight second. Especially if the GF is in Melbourne.
Panthers had a lot of front line outs, but even so the Storm list depth is significant. It was a very different look Storm yesterday, almost too many cooks, but I thought that team mix better suited Grant and Munster.
However, Smith, Pap and Hynes sort of got in each others way a bit.
Pap needs big Nelson, Welch and Jesse Bromwich clearing the corridor, I believe Nelson is out for two or three weeks with a hand fracture.
Given Storm is losing Nicho Hynes, and Brandon Smith is yet to formerly re-sign, would Bellyache have a 2nd crack at sorting out Curtis Scott or is the kid a lost cause?
Serious player, a bit troubled, not sure of his work ethic, sport of Storms version of Mitch Robinson.
Only 23 still, and been kyboshed by Canberra for bad off-field behaviours!
I do worry about Pap and Hughes, both have suffered repeat concussions, that stuff with a bit of bad luck can go South very quickly. Nice to be able to reshuffle, especially with Addo-Carr leaving, move Olam here, Hughes there, etc., etc..
Mind you Harry Grant is not a bad substitute, and under Bellyache these guys seem to be able to pick up any role forward or back and run with it ...... literally! ;D
Given Storm is losing Nicho Hynes, and Brandon Smith is yet to formerly re-sign, would Bellyache have a 2nd crack at sorting out Curtis Scott or is the kid a lost cause?
Serious player, a bit troubled, not sure of his work ethic, sport of Storms version of Mitch Robinson.
Only 23 still, and been kyboshed by Canberra for bad off-field behaviours!
I do worry about Pap and Hughes, both have suffered repeat concussions, that stuff with a bit of bad luck can go South very quickly. Nice to be able to reshuffle, especially with Addo-Carr leaving, move Olam here, Hughes there, etc., etc..
Mind you Harry Grant is not a bad substitute, and under Bellyache these guys seem to be able to pick up any role forward or back and run with it ...... literally! ;D
Lost cause - both on and off field issues
Bit sad to see Brandon Smith go, been a great servant of the Storm.
I'm not sure he's valuing they way Storm have kept him out of trouble, he'll be left to his own resources at the Roosters, it will be interesting to see how he survives.
To me Brandon has looked at all the cards on the table and gone for the short term dollars over the long term survival, the exact opposite of the Cameron Munster decision!
I suppose the Storm looked at Brandon and thought he's one big HIA from career over!
Interesting to read the NSW media in raptures about the way the Dolphins are dismantling the Storm's list. NRL has found a way to accelerate the curtailing of the Storm and increase the new franchises development in the process, but it seems it is a little short sighted and driven by those obsessed with the Storm as the enemy like Phil Gould.
But reality is, the bulk of those that the Dolphins have poached are older, a bit like Addo-Carr heading back to NSW, they'll be old dogs learning a new game plan in their later years, and for the NSW based clubs most of those leaving are on the older end of the Storm spectrum should be a warning sign. They won't be around that long at which time the Dolphins will need further assistance to stay afloat, and that money is mostly going to come from the NSW clubs and playing lists.
It's a replay of what the AFL did with GWS.
The Gouldian NSW NRL media do not see this, they are too busy dancing on Craig Bellamy's grave!
Tariq Sims has signed with the Storm and may play immediately
https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/news-2022-tariq-sims-melbourne-storm-st-george-illawarra-dragons-signing/f74acef1-9adb-410a-a02f-3ed8f932f583
There is an interesting outlook towards what is happening in NRL in relation to the Storm and the way the Dolphins and other NSW club's have targeted Storm's list. It's amazing how things can change, when a bunch of people think they are being smart it comes back to bite them.
The NRL Media has been on about Storm being potentially unable to retain the likes of Munster, Grant, Hughes, Papenhuyzen due to salary cap pressure, mostly driven by guys like Gould. But of course the northern clubs have already stripped a number of Storm players like Smith, 2 x Bromich and Kaufusi, all more than base wage players.
This has in effect had the opposite effect of what the media claim, and freed the Storm up to make some bids on attracting talent from the northern states, and while that might not be successful what it is doing is driving up the asking price for players like Haas.
You have to be careful what you wish for, you might get it!
This is a lesson the AFL should learn about the cost ramifications of expansion clubs and relocations.
Thinking about our own Walsh and Cerra returning after a brief but enforced freshen up has reminded me that Ryan "The Golden Mullet" Papenhuyzen returns for the Storm this week.
Here's a bloke who was almost impossible to mark even when he was half-busted, maybe he'll be rusty, well I'm sure the opposition hope it!
But he's under the guidance of Craig "The Greatest Sporting Bellyache Coach in Existence" Bellamy who tends to bring them in cherry ripe for an immediate impact!
Bellamy is a freak, anyone who watched last nights partly dead rubber would be in awe of the next generation of kids coming through under his guidance.
If you are interested in rugby at all have a look at the replay, in particular two new kids Grant Anderson and Sualauvi Fa'alogo.
Tries;
Grant Anderson 16'
Grant Anderson 32'
Sualauvi Faalogo 36'
Ryan Papenhuyzen 54'
Reimis Smith 68'
Sualauvi Faalogo 72'
(Anderson could have easily bagged a hat trick if not for grazing the touch line with his first.)
Makes me wonder if one day Vic might have a State of Origin team! :o
You have to laugh at the NSW media trying it's best to beat up a story that Storm shopped Papenhuyzen around for trade.
Wonderful win by the Storm. I won't post scores in case people want to watch replays. Best effort I have seen from a Storm side in many years. With that form, they could go all the way. All this without Cameron Munster.
Wonderful win by the Storm. I won't post scores in case people want to watch replays. Best effort I have seen from a Storm side in many years. With that form, they could go all the way. All this without Cameron Munster.
Yep, watched after our game, Harry Grant's first of many as captain. Pape what a player.
What about our forwards without big Nelson :o Normally their pack monsters us also new rule regarding teams protecting their kicker allowed us to put pressure on cleary great effort from welch after losing captaincy to show real grunt back to his old form hopefully! GO STormers
Papy and X, superstars.
Lucky win, took some Coates magic to seal it, and the Warriors can feel rightly cheated. Still, good teams find a way.
Warriors pretty much ran roughshod over the Storm in the second half. Good to get the 2 points though.