2024 Preview: Melbourne Storm

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Rob Crosby looks at the Melbourne Storm's prospects heading into another season under Craig Bellamy.

Not the Melbourne we used to know

There was a time when the Melbourne Storm had the measure of any rival team in the league.

While they still remain a formidable force with a deserved reputation as top four specialists, the aura around the side has diminished in recent years with on-field performances being diluted by inconsistency.

Coming into his 22nd season at the helm of the club, the future of Craig Bellamy shapes as a major talking point with the legendary coach still chasing a premiership title in the post Big Three (Smith, Slater, Cronk) era.

Making minimal movement in the transfer market with highly regarded forward Shawn Blore making the move to Melbourne as part of a mutually beneficial release that saw centre Justin Olam head in the opposite direction, the biggest coup for the Storm will be the return of Ryan Papenhuyzen after a horror run with injury.

The Storm will look to defend their much touted opening round record in a Friday night fixture against Penrith at AAMI Park.

Why they'll win it

For a club that has achieved so much in a relatively short lifetime, some of the bleakest moments in the history of the Storm have come at the business end of the season.

Suffering a demoralising defeat at the hands of eventual premiers Penrith in the preliminary final last September, the Storm will be baying for the opportunity to atone with performances that prove their best days aren't behind them.

Boasting an elite level spine set to be bolstered by the return of Ryan Papenhuyzen, the Storm have point-scoring prowess in the backline and a pack of forwards the envy of most teams in the league.

Why they won't

Most teams that reached two preliminary finals in their past three seasons would see that as success.

Not the Melbourne Storm.

Most teams that hadn't appeared in a Grand Final for three years wouldn't see that as failure.

Not the Melbourne Storm.

Whether fairly or unfairly the Storm have fallen short of the standards expected of them in recent times and with a largely similar roster in 2024 it's hard to see them dethroning the likes of Penrith when it matters most.

Critically, except for Nelson Asofa-Solomona, the Storm's forward pack lacks the level of intimidation that past packs were able to instil in rival teams.

Player movement

Key player

Ranking in the top tier of men currently plying their trade in the NRL, five-eighth Cameron Munster has the potential to join rarefied company as one of Melbourne's greatest ever players.

Having won two titles as a key but not singularly dominant figure for Melbourne, the 29-year-old has risen to great heights at club level but not to the peak seen in the representative arena.

Winning Dally M Five-Eighth of the Year three times without ever claiming the highest honour, a standout campaign in the year he celebrates 200 games in first grade could see Munster claim personal and premiership glory. 

Rookies to watch

Making an eye-catching debut in the final round of the regular season, many pundits have earmarked Sua Fa'alogo as an early contender for rookie of the year honours. Capable of playing across the backline, as evidenced by his starring turn for Samoa during the end-of-season internationals, the 20-year-old could bring a new attacking dimension to a Storm side that has underwhelmed in recent years.

It's taken a while for Jack Howarth to gain a taste of the top grade, but 2024 could be the year the 21-year-old breaks through as a first grader. Known primarily as a second-rower with the ability to play in the centres as required, the former Queensland Under 20s and New Zealand A representative could earn a place on the bench through his versatility. 

Best 17

1. Ryan Papenhuyzen
2. Will Warbrick
3. Reimis Smith
4. Nick Meaney
5. Xavier Coates

6. Cameron Munster
7. Jahrome Hughes

8. Tui Kamikamica
9. Harry Grant
10. Christian Welch
11. Trent Loiero
12. Eliesa Katoa
13. Josh King

Interchange: 14. Tyran Wishart, 15. Shawn Blore, 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona, 17. Alec MacDonald; Reserve: 18. Sua Fa'alogo

2024 fixture list

The Storm will open their campaign opposite reigning premiers Penrith as they look to continue a remarkable opening round record dating back more than two decades. Drawn a strong home ground advantage with only one away match scheduled in the first six rounds, the Storm will host South Sydney for the first time on ANZAC Day in a change to the annual tradition.

Set to rest up with byes in Round 4 and prior to the first (Round 13) and third (Round 19) Origin fixtures, Craig Bellamy will face Wayne Bennett for one of the final times minus his representative stars in Round 16.

Facing the top six teams twice and six out of the bottom seven sides once, the Storm will round out the regular season with an away trip to Brisbane for the second year running.

All times are AET (Melbourne local)