?Big Red?
Re-Signs With Storm

Storm second-rower Peter Robinson has re-signed with Melbourne today in a deal that will see him remain with the club until the end of the 2005 season.

The 27-year-old from the mining town of Cobar in the NSW outback has been one of the Storm?s more consistent performers this season and is fast carving out a reputation as one of the competition?s most underrated forwards.

After joining Melbourne feeder club Brisbane Norths in 1999 Robinson says he is delighted to be staying with the Storm for a further two years at least.

?The Storm is the club that gave me the opportunity to leave Cobar and achieve what I have in football and I just want to repay them,? said the man affectionately known as ?Big Red? to his teammates.

?I?m just so happy that I can stay here and continue to play my football with Melbourne and hopefully continue to do so until my career is over.?

A self-confessed late developer, Robinson?s game has risen to a new level under coach Craig Bellamy.

?You never stop learning and I?ve learnt something new off every coach I?ve had and Craig has added a new dimension to my game,? Robinson explained.

?He (Bellamy) has shown a lot of confidence in me that I suppose I didn?t really have at the start of the season and my defence has lifted under (assistant coach) Dean Lance as well.

?I used to be fairly quiet but now that I?m a little more worldly and the fact that I?ve been at the club for a few years, my confidence has grown.

After playing much of his football as a prop last year Robinson has relished the opportunity to play alongside skipper Stephen Kearney in the back-row.

Melbourne will be without their captain for Sunday?s clash with the Raiders in Canberra but Robinson says he will be treating the match just like any other.

?Obviously he (Kearney) is a loss for us but Robbie Kearns is still in the side so one of the more senior guys will be there to lead from the front,? Robinson said.

?I?ll be going into the match and treating like every other contest this year.?

Meanwhile Melbourne will continue talks with Kearns next week in an attempt to re-sign the NSW prop.

The Storm have already re-signed Steven Bell, Matt Geyer and Scott Hill this year.

STORM TRAINING THIS WEEK Thursday: 2pm, Olympic Park Saturday: 11am, Olympic Park