Turner and Bartlett sign with the
Storm

Melbourne Storm and Glen Turner have ended months of negotiations with the popular second rower signing a one year contract extension that will keep him at the club until the end of the 2006 season.

Turner had a sensational 2005, playing 23 games and scoring five tries.

His 2005 form was impressive enough for selection in the initial 40-man New Zealand squad for the Tri-Nations series.

Melbourne Storm football operations manager Peter O?Sullivan believes Turner has deserved his contract extension.

?After his outstanding year in the NRL, he?s earned another 12 month contract,? said O?Sullivan.

?He?ll be in a great battle for one of the two back row spots with the likes of Michael Crocker, David Kidwell and Ryan Hoffman.?

One of the toughest forwards in the Storm pack, Turner has played most of his first grade games off the interchange bench.

He lifts the tempo whenever he comes on the field and does his best work running wide.

Turner has battled with injury over the past few seasons and was a touch disappointing in 2004.

However, after a big pre-season, Turner played 23 games in 2005, only missing games through a rib and shoulder injury in the middle of the season.

He played his 50th NRL game against the Raiders in Round 18, and if courage and determination have anything to do with it, he will play many more.

Bartlett signs for Storm

Melbourne Storm has continued to replenish its forward stocks with the signing of big Newcastle Knights back rower Matthew Bartlett.

Bartlett, 22, is a player in the mould the Storm has been recruiting during the off season.

Standing 195cm and weighing in at 92kg, Bartlett is a young, up and coming player who will put pressure on current back row regulars David Kidwell, Glen Turner and Ryan Hoffman for a place in the starting line-up.

He will also be battling it out with new Storm signing Michael Crocker for what will be a coveted back row position.

Storm football operations manager Peter O?Sullivan is confident he has found yet another athletic back rower.

?He?s a big, tall, rangy wide running back rower in the mould of Ryan Hoffman,? said O?Sullivan.

However, as he has never had a fulltime contract before, he may need time to develop.

?He?s never been in the full time system before,? said O?Sullivan.

?Now that he comes into the Storm?s full time squad we expect him to put the required weight on and make the necessary adjustments to perform in the NRL.?

www.melbournestorm.com.au

For further information contact the Melbourne Storm: 03 8412 4900 or Chris Couch: 0407 154 836