Melbourne’s succession plan to be tested with several major losses
The Melbourne spine has been shaken up and the Storm have lost four players who were frequent starters at stages last year, how will they cope with several big squad changes in 2019? FULL ROSTER ANALYSIS
The Melbourne spine has been shaken up and the Storm have lost four players who were frequent starters at stages last year.
Craig Bellamy’s succession planning will again be tested in 2019 with a squad lacking the depth of past years.
Here’s how the Storm are shaping up for the new year.
Full squad
1. Josh Addo-Carr, 2. Nelson Asofa-Solomona, 3. Cheyse Blair, 4. Jesse Bromwich, 5. Kenny Bromwich, 6. Will Chambers, 7. Brodie Croft, 8. Scott Drinkwater, 9. Thomas Eisenhuth, 10. Tino Faasuamaleuaui, 11. Dale Finucane, 12. Jahrome Hughes, 13. Tui Kamikamica, 14. Sam Kasiano, 15. Felise Kaufusi, 16. Patrick Kaufusi, 17. Cameron Munster, 18. Justin Olam, 19. Ryan Papenhuyzen, 20. Curtis Scott, 21. Marion Seve, 22. Brandon Smith, 23. Joe Stimson, 24. Albert Vete, 25. Suliasi Vunivalu, 26. Billy Walters, 27. Christian Welch. *Cameron Smith expected addition
Ins
Tom Eisenhuth (Penrith Panthers, 2020), Marion Seve (Brisbane Broncos, 2020), Albert Vete (New Zealand Warriors, 2020)
Outs
Louis Geraghty (released), Tim Glasby (Newcastle Knights), Ryan Hoffman (retired), Ryley Jacks (Gold Coast Titans), Billy Slater (retired), Lachlan Timm (St George Illawarra Dragons), Young Tonumaipea (released)
Best 17
1. Jahrome Hughes, 2. Josh Addo-Carr, 3. Will Chambers, 4. Curtis Scott, 5. Suliasi Vunivalu, 6. Cameron Munster, 7. Brodie Croft, 8. Jesse Bromwich, 9. Cameron Smith, 10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona, 11. Joe Stimson, 12. Felise Kaufusi, 13. Dale Finucane. Interchange: 14. Brandon Smith, 15. Christian Welch, 16. Kenny Bromwich, 17. Sam Kasiano
Recruitment strength
The recruitment front hasn’t been kind to Melbourne with the retirements of Billy Slater and Ryan Hoffman, while the losses of Tim Glasby, Young Tonumaipea and Ryley Jacks will deplete the club’s depth. All that being said, rarely does Craig Bellamy miss with his recruits so don’t underestimate what the trio of new players will bring to the squad.
Forwards
The pack is near identical to last year with Nelson Asofa-Solomona or Christian Welch expected to grab Tim Glasby’s regular starting spot in the front-row. Joe Stimson has proven his quality with a string of quality finals performances. He appears to have cemented himself as a regular starter in the back-row.
Backs
There’s little to be said about Melbourne’s outside backs who will line-up identically to the past two seasons. 21-year-old Curtis Scott will continue his NRL development and could see himself enter the Origin selection frame with a strong start to the year.
Spine
Jahrome Hughes shifting to fullback for the retired Slater looks the only change to the 2018 grand final side. Cameron Munster loomed for a long time the heir to Slater’s throne at the back of the field, but the emergence of Hughes at fullback will likely suit the balance of the side far better. Munster’s best football is in the number one jumper, but his experience in the halves alongside Brodie Croft will be vital.
Where they’re lacking
Cameron Smith is the last man standing from Melbourne’s big three, meaning the veteran hooker will take on greater responsibility in 2019. It’ll hardly be an issue for Smith, but he won’t be able to rely on the additional game management prowess and relentless consistency provided by Slater and Cooper Cronk throughout his career. The club have lost loads of experience and depth, but their younger squads members are fairly seasoned having made the past three grand finals. It’ll be a major test of Bellamy’s succession planning when injuries inevitably strike.
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