Penrith prevail to continue dominance over Cronulla
3 hours ago | Robert Crosby
2026 preview - Melbourne Storm
Can the Storm bounce back after two consecutive Grand Final losses?
Storm's 2025 campaign was another one filled with resilience, but they missed the mark for the second year in a row, where they were unable to get their job done in the final dance and win the premiership.
2025 was a consistent year for Melbourne, and despite their depth getting tested they won 17/24 games and finished in second place. I feel like they were underprepared to face the Broncos in the Grand Final, a side that was always putting on a show for a comeback win.
Melbourne start their 2026 season at home, taking on the Eels, before heading away for the Dragons, and then back at home for a Grand Final rematch against the Broncos.
The Storm then see a back and forth of home and away games, including Rabbitohs at Aami Park for ANZAC Day, and the Dolphins for their Magic Round clash. They then get their first bye of the season in Round 15, which is quickly followed by another in Round 18.
Melbourne then get a mixed bag of games, with some which are considered "easier", like the Titans and Rabbitohs, along with "harder" clashes against the Roosters and Bulldogs.
After their final bye in Round 24, the Storm's run home sees them take on the Panthers at home, Broncos away from home and then closing out the season against the Sharks at Shark Park.
Why They'll Win It
Can you really lose two consecutive Grand Finals and not bounce back? Especially under Craig Bellamy?
The Storm are also losing some players at the end of the season, so I'm sure there is also motivation there to send them out on a high note with a premiership.
Why They Won't
In recent years, I think the Storm have fallen into a "safe" footy trap at times. Yes, they can pile on points and play with consistency but sometimes you need the crazy plays, and the electricity that sometimes seems to be missing from the Storm.
A few players have also departed the Storm, including former fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen and utility Grant Anderson, along with the injury to Eli Katoa. Usually the Storm deal with key player change ups well, but I feel like these may be a little tricky to get right at the start of the new season in 2026.
2026 fixtures
| Rnd | Date | Day | Opposition | Venue | |
| 1 | Mar-05 | Thu 8:00pm | H | Parramatta | AAMI |
| 2 | 14 | Sat 5:30pm | A | St Geo Illa | WIN |
| 3 | 20 | Fri 8:00pm | H | Brisbane | AAMI |
| 4 | 28 | Sat 6:30pm | A | North Qld | QLD C. B. |
| 5 | Apr-03 | Fri 8:00pm | A | Penrith | CommBank |
| 6 | 11 | Sat 7:30pm | H | Warriors | AAMI |
| 7 | 17 | Fri 6:00pm | A | Canberra | GIO |
| 8 | 25 | Sat 8:10pm | H | Souths | AAMI |
| 9 | May-01 | Fri 8:00pm | A | Dolphins | Suncorp |
| 10 | 10 | Sun 2:00pm | H | Wests Tigers | AAMI |
| 11 | 16 | Sat 7:45pm | A | Parramatta | Suncorp |
| 12 | 22 | Fri 8:00pm | A | Canterbury | Accor |
| 13 | 30 | Sat 7:30pm | H | Sydney | AAMI |
| 14 | Jun-05 | Fri 6:00pm | H | Newcastle | AAMI |
| 15 | [bye] | ||||
| 16 | 21 | Sun 4:05pm | H | Canberra | AAMI |
| 17 | 27 | Sat 7:30pm | A | Manly | 4 Pines |
| 18 | [bye] | ||||
| 19 | 12 | Sun 6:15pm | H | Gold Coast | AAMI |
| 20 | 17 | Fri 8:00pm | A | Sydney | Allianz |
| 21 | 24 | Fri 8:00pm | A | Souths | Accor |
| 22 | 31 | Fri 8:00pm | H | Canterbury | AAMI |
| 23 | Aug-08 | Sat 1:00pm | H* | Manly | HBF |
| 24 | [bye] | ||||
| 25 | 20 | Thu 7:50pm | H | Penrith | AAMI |
| 26 | 27 | Thu 7:50pm | A | Brisbane | Suncorp |
| 27 | Sep-05 | Sat 7:30pm | A | Cronulla | Ocean Prot. |
Key Players
Captaining the side for the third year in a row in 2026, Harry Grant is a monster player, and a weapon to the Melbourne side. His dummy half plays are lethal, and is such an integral part of the Storm's spine.
With Ryan Papenhuyzen gone from the Storm, we will also hopefully see Sua Fa'alogo step up permanently into the starting fullback role, which we've seen him flourish in before, which is an exciting horizon for Melbourne.
Rookie to watch
Making his debut at the end of 2024, second rower Ativalu Lisati is shaping up to be another core forward in the Storm side. Having already scored his first try in 2025, it'll be exciting to see where he goes in 2026, with a starting position on the cards.
Player movement
GAINS: Manaia Waitere (Canberra), Jack Hetherington (Newcastle), Trent Toelau (Penrith)
COACH: Craig Bellamy
CAPTAIN: Harry Grant
2026 contracted list: Alec MacDonald, Ativalu Lisati, Cameron Munster, Davvy Moale, Eliesa Katoa^, Gabriel Satrick, Harry Grant, Jack Hetherington, Jack Howarth, Jahrome Hughes, Joe Chan, Josh King, Josiah Pahulu, Lazarus Vaalepu, Manaia Waitere, Moses Leo, Nick Meaney, Shawn Blore, Sualauvi Fa'alogo, Stefano Utoikamanu, Trent Loiero, Trent Toelau, Tyran Wishart, William Warbrick, Xavier Coates
^ Katoa is expected to miss the 2026 season following serious injuries sustained representing Tonga in the Pacific Championship.
LOSSES from 2025: Bronson Garlick (South Sydney), Grant Anderson (Brisbane), Ryan Papenhuyzen, Dean Ieremia, Nelson Asofa-Solomona (released), Jonah Pezet (Parramatta)
Predicted 17
1. Sua Fa'alogo
2. Will Warbrick
3. Jack Howarth
4. Nick Meaney
5. Xavier Coates
6. Cam Munster
7. Jahrome Hughes
8. Stefano Utoikamanu
9. Harry Grant (C)
10. Josh King
11. Shawn Blore
12. Ativalu Lisati
13. Trent Loiero
14. Tyran Wishart
15. Jack Hetherington
16. Alec Macdonald
17. Davvy Moale