NRL 2024: Shawn Blore reveals his emotional journey from winning wooden spoons at the Tigers to reaching grand final with Storm

Shawn Blore isn’t used to the feeling of still playing footy in late September. As he approaches his first grand final in his maiden finals series, the unsung Storm hero opens up on his emotional career resurgence following some tough years.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 27: Shawn Blore of the Storm fends off Connor Watson of the Roosters during the NRL Preliminary Final match between the Melbourne Storm and Sydney Roosters at AAMI Park on September 27, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

In recent seasons, Melbourne Storm forward Shawn Blore has generally spent this time of the year enjoying a beer, laying on a beach or hitting a golf ball. Anything but rugby league or thinking about another season lost.

On Saturday night, he spent it driving a stake through the heart of the Sydney Roosters and then recounting the message he received from former Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens congratulating him on reigniting his career.

Blore has been one of the unsung heroes of the Storm’s grand final campaign, although he is anything but under-appreciated by his teammates. Or for that matter his former coach at the Tigers, who went out of his way to reach out as Blore found himself in the thick of the finals race.

“Just think, 2yrs ago after your injuries how down you felt,” Sheens wrote.

“You’re done a great job working your way back and deserve every reward that is coming to you.”

Sheens signed off by calling Blore the “No.1 bruise brother”. Blore certainly left some bruises on the Roosters on Saturday night as he put years of pain behind him at the Tigers to secure a place in his first NRL finals series.

Shawn Blore has been one of the unsung heroes in the Storm pack this season. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Much was made of the Tigers’ decision to thank former player Luke Brooks for his success after leaving the club. Not a word for Blore, although in fairness he only spent four years at the Tigers. They were four lean years but Blore is now making up for lost time as he helps the Storm close in on another premiership.

“It’s been a weird journey, that’s for sure,” Blore said.

“I was sort of saying this as a joke to the boys – I’m usually mentally checked out at this time of the year. This squad and this side has got me wanting more.

“And, right now, it doesn’t feel real. It feels like it just feels unreal to me at the moment. I feel like my parents are riding the wave more than I am.

“My old man had tears in his eyes when the game ended.”

It’s been an emotional journey for Blore as well. A knee injury left Blore scouring for a new club after his time at Penrith came to an end and he landed at the Tigers, the beginning of a frustrating period as the club laboured.

Shawn Blore has experienced the lows of wooden spoons with the Tigers. Picture: NRL Imagery

Blore eventually locked in on the Storm but his move became bogged down in paperwork and negotiations that dragged into January this year. At one point, Blore told Tigers coach Benji Marshall he would prefer not to train because he wanted to be free of injury when he arrived at the Storm.

Marshall understood and eventually gave Blore the green light. The back rower packed his bags and walked straight into the Storm’s traditional pre-season camp at Geelong, where physical and mental limits are put to the test.

“I just remember vividly those two weeks in Geelong how tough it was,” Blore said.

“And like, you can see why these guys are just where they are every year, just the amount of time they train and the hard work that they do, just the standards that they demand from their training,

“There was sort of a shock to the system for sure. I remember the first day – oh my God, I was having hallucinations on the field just because of how tough it was.

“I remember Frank (Ponissi) saying, you better get used to it, it’s going to be like that every year. I’ve got a taste of it now.

“I’m actually pretty excited for next pre-season. I feel like there’s a lot more in the tank.”

Blore has kept some energy in the tank as well heading into the grand final. He has endured some difficult days in his career but a corner has been turned and his teammates have let him know how much he means to them.

Shawn Blore now has the opportunity to claim a grand final win during his first finals series. Picture: NRL Photos

Five-eighth Cameron Munster even delivered a handwritten message outlining what role Blore has played in their success.

“I remember him saying you mean so much to the left edge and you might not feel like you sort of get that recognition, but the lines you are running and the defenders you attract, you mean so much here,” Blore said.

”I mean, that’s all I needed.”

A premiership would be a nice way to finish the year off. No doubt, No doubt, Sheens will be watching as well.

“Sheensy is a bloody legend,” Blore said.

“I didn’t have much time with Sheensy there but he was always kind and had time for me.”