Storm winger Young Tonumaipea is only the second junior to make his NRL debut

MELBOURNE Storm winger Young Tonumaipea is set to become only the second Victorian junior to make his NRL debut.

MELBOURNE Storm winger Young Tonumaipea’s humble beginnings in rugby league included training on a carpark outside Princes Park.

That was the harsh reality for Victorian youngsters coming through the junior ranks in a development program that was, and still is, crying out for more assistance from the national body.

Tonight it pays off when the 21-year-old Samoan-born Craigieburn product becomes the second Victorian junior to make his NRL debut against Manly at Brookvale Oval.

“Young is a really good story,” Storm development boss Greg Brentnall said.

News_Rich_Media: Melbourne Storm recruit George Rose has struck fear into former Manly teammate and round one opponent Daly Cherry-Evans, reminding the halfback that size won't be on his side when they clash on Brookvale Oval on Saturday night.

“He has come up through the system here and hasn’t done it easy.

“He is an outstanding talent now, but he wasn’t always perceived that way.

“He’s had to battle — it hasn’t been a smooth passage through to the NRL and he’s had to work hard.”

Tonumaipea will run out alongside fellow Victorian product Mahe Fonua tonight.

Another local kid, Richie Kennar, should also see first grade action this season.

They are proof the club’s pathway program is working.

News_Rich_Media: Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy is confident Ben Roberts will prove a strong replacement for the injured Cooper Cronk in the season opener against Manly.

But Brentnall — who has been with Storm since its 1998 formation — said they required more help from the Australian Rugby League Commission.

“The club has spent a lot of time, money and resources on developing the game and getting these better kids through the system that in other mainstream areas doesn’t need to be done,” he said.

“It is satisfying to see guys like Mahe Fonua and Young come through, but the fact is we need more assistance in that area.

“We need the game itself to be investing in it.

“We’ve had no facilities here with the under -16’s and under-18‘s training on dog paddocks.

“We started the under-18’s out on the old carpark at Princes Park when Young was playing.”

News_Rich_Media: Sarah Jones caught up with Smith ahead of Melbourne's season opener with the Storm stalwart saying despite his age he doesn't intend on stopping.

The former Canterbury Bulldogs great said there was little doubt Storm’s on-field success was a factor in the lack of help they had received.

“To a certain extent, at the top level we’ve been a victim of our own success,” he said.

“Some people say Storm don’t need any help because they’ve been successful for over 10 years.

“But we’ve worked bloody hard to get there, and to maintain it at that level we need a lot more assistance.”

Brentnall said there was no greater boost for the cause than being able to point to the success stories such as Tonumaipea.

“He’s always had really good evasive skills and his handling skills have been above average,” Brentnall said.

“He’s a great role model for what we’re trying to do in the local competition to get more young kids coming through.”