NRL scouting report: Melbourne Storm pack questions, three fullbacks puzzle, Craig Bellamy future

If you listen to the critics, the Storm’s issues will finally be too much for them to overcome. BRENT READ explains what Melbourne need to do to re-establish themselves as an NRL power.

Brent Read

@brentread_7

3 min read

December 28, 2023 - 6:00AM

News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom

Melbourne Storm 2024 NRL scouting report.

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If you listen to the critics, the Melbourne Storm have an oversupply of fullbacks, their forward pack has been exposed as lacking depth and they’ve failed to rectify their issues in the free agency market.

But a deeper look at the Storm’s fortunes reveals a rich nursery with some impressive young talent on the improve, arguably the best spine in the NRL and a coach with a knack of identifying issues and fixing them in a single pre-season.

BRENT READ examines the Storm’s bid to reassert themselves as an NRL powerhouse.

2024 squad

Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Joe Chan, Xavier Coates, Bronson Garlick, Harry Grant, Jack Howarth, Jahrome Hughes, Tui Kamikamica, Eliesa Katoa, Josh King, Trent Loiero, Alec MacDonald, Nick Meaney, Cameron Munster, Justin Olam, Ryan Papenhuyzen, Aaron Pene, Jonah Pezet, Marion Seve, Reimis Smith, Will Warbrick, Christian Welch, Tyran Wishart

Key Storm figures Josh King, Christian Welch, Xavier Coates, and Nick Meaney. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Ins: None

Outs: Tariq Sims (Catalans), Jayden Nikorima (Catalans), George Jennings (released), Jordan Grant (released), Tom Eisenhuth (released)

Best 17

1 Ryan Papenhuyzen

2 Xavier Coates

3 Nick Meaney

4 Marion Seve

5 Will Warbrick

6 Cameron Munster

7 Jahrome Hughes

8 Christian Welch

9 Harry Grant

10 Nelson Asofa-Solomona

11 Eliesa Katoa

12 Trent Loiero

13 Josh King

14 Su’A Fa’alogo

15 Bronson Garlick

16 Tui Kamikamica

17 Aaron Pene

2023 Rich 100 reps: 6

Cameron Munster (3, $1.25m), Jahrome Hughes (23, $900,000), Nelson Asofa-Solomona (25, $850,000), Ryan Papenhuyzen (31, $820,000), Christian Welch (92, $600,000), Harry Grant (94, $570,000)

Storm hooker Harry Grant. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

Free agency wrap and rating

The Storm have been quiet in the player market but they have money to spend and are actively searching for a forward to strengthen them in the middle of the field. There are discussions around securing Wests Tigers forward Shawn Blore for next season, with Justin Olam potentially going the other way. If they can land one or two big bodies, their rating would get a serious upgrade.

Rating: D

Coach status and safety rating: Craig Bellamy (2024)

Bellamy has a rolling contract that leaves his future in his own hands. He was expected to walk away last year but went again and you can expect another guessing game early next season as he weighs up whether to continue in 2025. Assistants Jason Ryles and Marc Brentnall are waiting in the wings.

Rating: A+

Coach Craig Bellamy has a decision to make about his future beyond next season.

Likely debutants: Angus Hinchey, Tristan Powell

The Storm handed debuts to some of their most exciting young talents at the back end of 2023 — Sua Fa’alogo, Joe Chan and Jack Howarth all got a shot at first grade.

Look for them to take another step in 2024.

The Storm also have high hopes for Angus Hinchey, a hardworking forward who was a member of the Queensland under-19 side last season. Tristan Powell is another who has caught the eye in the Brisbane Easts side that won the Queensland Cup.

Who takes the next step: Sua Fa’alogo

The electric fullback got a brief taste of first grade at the end of last season and then starred for Samoa in the Pacific Championships.

He has speed to burn and a nose for the tryline. He is ready to explode in 2024.

Burnings issues

How do they make the most of three fullbacks?

The Storm are blessed with three quality fullbacks in Ryan Papenhuyzen, Nick Meaney and Sua Fa’alogo. Papenhuyzen is expected to be fit for the start of the season and will automatically take back the No.1 jersey.

His reliable deputy, Meaney, is expected to move to the centres but the biggest question will be over their use of Fa’alogo, who is likely to play off the bench in a utility role.

The Storm have had success in the past with the use of their No.14 role. Harry Grant and Brandon Smith have both occupied that position previously, and Fa’alogo would give Melbourne serious excitement against tiring opposition.

Storm young gun Sua Fa'alogo will take on an increased role for Melbourne in 2024.

Can they strengthen the middle of the field?

The Storm’s forward pack is bursting with quality, but they were caught out in the middle of the field when the whips were cracking at the end of last season.

The challenge will be finding a way to strengthen that department so they can compete with the big guns come finals time.

Captain Christian Welch has relinquished his position with the Rugby League Players Association to concentrate on re-establishing the Storm’s pack as a dominant power.

Who is their next coach?

The Storm have had just three coaches in their 25-year history. Craig Bellamy is on a rolling deal and, while it is dangerous to guess what he will do, his future will have significant ramifications for the club moving forward. No-one is more synonymous with the game in Victoria than Bellamy.

Crystal ball

Melbourne will be there and thereabouts. They always are. Their ability to take the next step will be the big question. They don’t need a major overhaul — some subtle changes should be enough to ensure they remain in the premiership mix.

In a boost for Storm plans, Bellamy has been doing just that in the off-season.