Secret Melbourne Storm mantra that helps NRL minor premier connect its past with present
As Melbourne fights to keep its premiership dream alive, the current crop of Storm stars have embraced a fiercely-guarded mantra which may well be the secret behind their success.
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A thunderbolt on big purple double doors marks the spot.
Behind it an honour wall, where the names of every Melbourne Storm player is listed in order of appearance from Marcus Bai (no. 1) to Max King (no. 199), a second more demure door and one of Australian sport’s most successful locker-rooms.
From the gateway it is hard to miss the two words plastered on a prominent wall beneath the iconic “Storm Man” emblem.
In bold text, it reads: “THE PROTECTOR”.
One player asked about the guarded slogan recently had “no comment to make on it”, while another spoke only briefly and in general terms about its significance.
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Make no mistake, for Storm, the secret creed is no run-of-the-mill footy slogan but a bedrock of its sacred and revered culture.
Cameron Smith’s leadership group first canvassed ‘The Protector’ mentality during a pre-season camp in Geelong “several years” back, having identified a need to connect the club’s past and present.
Why? Because Smith’s current teammates were between finger painting and pen licenses when Storm of seasons’ past surged into finals like a king tide devour sand.
“We just wanted to make a point of the strength of the ‘Storm Man’ and the way he breaks through the clouds holding that lightning bolt,” Smith told the Herald Sun.
“It’s just a picture of strength, every one protecting every one and that’s the way we wanted to approach our footy.”
And Smith wants ‘The Protector’ approach to remain intact long after he retires.
Storm has qualified for 10 preliminary finals in 17 seasons of master coach Craig Bellamy and Smith’s tenure.
The only thing more impressive than the four consecutive grand final appearances between 2006-09 is the swiftness of the rebuild, which followed the salary cap era and landmark 2012 premiership.
“The discussion was about each individual going out, on game day and each day at training, to protect one another, the Storm brand, and legacy that each player has left for us to carry on,” Smith said.
“That’s what ‘The Protector’ is and it’s something we speak about and see every time we’re at training, that logo is just a little reminder for us, every time we walk through those doors it’s a reminder of who’s been here before and what they’ve been able to achieve.”
Storm has played nine grand finals in the 20 years since its inaugural 1998 season.
Smith has appeared in 37 finals, 17 more than Jesse Bromwich and Dale Finucane next best, and 36 more than five Storm stars in action desperate to keep the 2019 season alive.
“You got to remember the club started in 1998 and won its first premiership in ‘99, some guys in our squad were only just born in and around those years,” Smith said.
“Most of them now, they were still in primary school when guys like myself and Billy (Slater) and Ryan Hoffman and Will Chambers were playing in grand finals.
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“It was important we sat down and discussed exactly how the club came about and who were the guys that really gave us an opportunity to be where we are today.”
Smith has had to adapt, both on and off the field, the past two decades.
When Smith packed the car and embarked on the road trip of a lifetime to Melbourne in 2002, with Billy Slater and Cooper Cronk riding shotgun the definition of “bra” referred to female undergarments, and not, as it is today, a term of endearment for millenials.
“To be able to play at the one club for such a long time I feel very fortunate to do that,” the record 409-gamer said.
“I’m very proud of what I’ve been able to achieve personally but to see so many great players, more importantly so many great people, come through our club.
“Whenever they’ve come through and applied themselves the way they need to they’ve always left as better footballers, more importantly as better people.”
Originally published as Secret Melbourne Storm mantra that helps NRL minor premier connect its past with present