Melbourne Storm 2018 season preview: Premiers hunt back-to-back NRL crowns

SEASON PREVIEW: COULD this be the year for Melbourne Storm? After five failed attempts to win back-to-back premierships the purple machine is primed for more success.

Melbourne Storm vs. Auckland Warriors at AAMI Park. Billy Slater. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

COULD this be the year?

THE only thing missing for Melbourne Storm over the past 20 years has been back-to-back premierships after five failed attempts.

But Storm could not be in any better shape to become the first team since the 1998 Brisbane Broncos to defend the NRL crown.

With Cameron Smith, Billy Slater, Will Chambers and Jesse Bromwich at the top of their game, premiership mastermind Craig Bellamy has the nucleus for continued success despite losing Cooper Cronk, Jordan McLean and Tohu Harris from the starting line-up.

The upside is huge for the premiers, who secured a third World Club Challenge title in the off-season.

LATE MAIL: Storm v Bulldogs

Electric wingers Josh Addo-Carr and Suliasi Vunivalu at AAMI Park. Picture: Tony Gough

All eyes will be on talented Brodie Croft, and deservedly so, as he steps in for Cronk, but Bellamy’s biggest weapon is not the emerging Queensland halfback but the depth of talent across the park.

Fearless forward Bromwich said Croft could not have been more impressive calling plays during the summer break.

“I feel very comfortable with Crofty going out there and doing the job and putting in a big effort,” Browmich said.

“For me, nothing changes. He’s been calling the plays all preseason, he just needs to back himself and go out there Round 1 and put it out there.”

Brodie Croft on his way to score a try. Picture Sarah Reed

Felise Kaufusi, Dale Finucane, Josh Addo-Carr and Curtis Scott must be considered for State of Origin, while 2017 Queensland debutants Cameron Munster and Tim Glasby need only hold form to keep Maroon jerseys.

Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Joe Stimson and Christian Welch have loads of improvement to come, while Suliasi Vunivalu is favoured to win a third consecutive NRL top tryscorer title in as many seasons.

Former Canterbury Bulldog Sam Kasiano (ankle) has shed a mountain of weight as he looks to rediscover his best in Melbourne and veteran Ryan Hoffman, back for a third stint in purple, has already proven to be instrumental on and off the field, mentoring young players.

The Bellamy blueprint for success is built on strong starts and 2018 will be no different, with Storm playing just two top eight teams from last year in the first 10 rounds.

FIVE BURNING QUESTIONS

1. Is Brodie Croft ready to own the halfback role?

A two-year apprenticeship under Cooper Cronk has the 20-year-old playmaker mentally and physically prepared for the rigours of the NRL. Clean hands and calmness underpin the emerging Queenslander’s style, which includes a “decent” running game.

2. Who’s the next man up?

Hooker-in-waiting Brandon Smith will get loads of opportunity in 2018 after a standout preseason. The pint-sized wrecking ball could be used off the bench in a similar role to premiership-winner Slade Griffin, who joined Newcastle Knights after the grand final. Talented backs Ryley Jacks, Scott Drinkwater, luckless Jahrome Hughes and Young Tonumaipea keep banging down the selection door.

3. How will the Storm wall cope without Jordan McLean and Tohu Harris?

The Storm has been here before, losing premiership-winning forwards, and recovered. A power of work has gone into recruits Ryan Hoffman, Sam Kasiano (ankle) and Patrick Kaufusi, while Storm should benefit from the return of Christian Welch and the natural improvement in Joe Stimson. Kenny Bromwich is a key cog in the engine room, with barnstorming Lachlan Timm the bolter.

Billy Slater runs with the ball as Cameron Smith and Brodie Croft look on. Picture: Getty

4. What’s next for Craig Bellamy, Cameron Smith and Billy Slater?

And then there were three. There is a cloud of uncertainty around the future of the legendary trio, with Smith, Slater and coach Bellamy off-contract at the end of the season. Naturally, Storm is keen to stagger the exits to avoid a leadership and experience vacuum. Smith and Slater will retire as Storm players this year or next, while cashed up clubs starved of success will throw the kitchen sink at premiership mastermind Bellamy if he remains unsigned for much longer.

5. Premiership hangover?

The knockers from the north will be baying for purple blood but Melbourne has shone over the past decade that premiership hangovers aren’t part of the Storm lexicon. History says going back-to-back is difficult, not having been done since the 1998 Brisbane Broncos, but Storm is arguably the best-placed team in recent memory to buck the trend.

THE CHALLENGERS

1. North Queensland

The Cowboys were the fairy tale contenders last year going all the way to the big dance without Johnathan Thurston and Matt Scott. With them back and McLean in the saddle the Cowboys loom as the biggest threat.

2. Sydney Rooster

Cooper who? The Roosters splashed the cash in the off-season to bridge the gap to Storm in the premiership race. Loads of strike but often left at the altar when the whips are cracking.

3. Daylight

If Storm brings the same level of consistency to last year then no one in the competition will be able to derail the Melbourne machine. With weapons across the park, Storm is able to run up the scoreboard on anybody.

4. Parramatta

The Eels gave the premiers a fright last year with daring ball movement and attack. Will be thereabouts again in 2018.

2018 MELBOURNE STORM FIXTURE

2018 MELBOURNE STORM FIXTURE

Rd1 Bulldogs, today, 9.05pm, Perth Stadium

Rd2 Tigers, Saturday March 17, 7.35pm, AAMI Park

Rd3 Cowboys, Thursday March 22, 8.05pm, AAMI Park

Rd4 Sharks, Friday March 30, 8.05pm, South Cross Stadium

Rd5 Tigers, Saturday April 7, 3pm, Mt Smart Stadium

Rd6 Knights, Friday April 13, 6pm, AAMI Park

Rd7 Broncos, Friday April 20, 7.50pm, Suncorp Stadium

Rd8 Warriors, Wednesday April 25, 7pm, AAMI Park

Rd9 Dragons, Sunday May 6, 2pm, Jubilee Oval

Rd10 Titans, Saturday May 12, 5.30pm, Suncorp Stadium

Rd11 Sea Eagles, Saturday May 19, 7.35pm, AAMI Park

Rd12 Cowboys, Friday May 25, 7.50pm, 1300 Smile Stadium

Rd13 Bye

Rd14 Broncos, Sunday June 10, 4.10pm, AAMI Park

Rd15 Knights, Sunday June 17, 2pm, McDonald Jones Stadium

Rd16 Roosters, Friday June 29, 7.50pm, Allianz Stadium

Rd17 Dragons, Thursday July 5, 7.50pm, AAMI Park

Rd18 Sea Eagles, Saturday July 14, 5.30pm, Brookvale Oval

Rd19 Warriors, Sunday July 22, 2pm, Mt Smart

Rd20 Raiders, Saturday July 28, 7.35pm, AAMI Park

Rd21 Rabbitohs, Friday August 3, 7.50pm, ANZ Stadium

Rd22 Sharks, Sunday August 12, 4.10pm, AAMI Park

Rd23 Eels, Friday August 17, 7.50pm, AAMI Park

Rd24 Titans, Saturday August 25, 5.30pm, CBUS

Rd25 Panthers, Friday August 31, 7.50pm, AAMI Park

BETTING

NRL Premiership: $6

Melbourne is second favourite behind Sydney Roosters ($5) and fourth best backed overall, attracting nine per cent of all money bet on the premiership.

NRL topscorer

$7 Suliasi Vunivalu

$9 Josh Addo-Carr

Vunivalu is the best backed with TAB, almost double the money of the second best backed Bevan French.

Dally M

$9 Cameron Smith

One TAB punter had $200 on Brodie Croft at $101 for a collect of $20,200.

Odds: TAB