Bulldog’s Bite: Melbourne Storm’s unseen acts that seperate them from NRL rivals
Behind the Storm’s dominance is a mantra that keeps all players accountable, one that certain NRL rivals could take a lesson from. DEAN RITCHIE reveals the unseen acts that set Melbourne apart from the rest.
No job is too small. As the club motto says, everyone is equal.
Monkey see, monkey do.
What makes Melbourne Storm so special? Maybe it’s in the club’s mantra – respect, humility, manners.
No-one is above the cleaner, bus driver or gear steward. No one walks by a task for others to complete. If you don’t help, you’re the odd man out.
“Our players are taught how important basic manners are,” said Storm CEO Justin Rodski. “Everyone is equal - no-one thinks they’re bigger or better than anyone else because they are a star player.”
Perhaps Brisbane players could employ the same culture. While Reece Walsh poses for selfies in designer sunnies, Melbourne Storm players are literally labouring and cleaning.
As one source said: “Melbourne players don’t believe the staff are there just to wait on them hand and foot.”
This is a club - minor premiers yet again - that wants good people. Character is sometimes more important than football ability.
CASE STUDY 1
Two ball boys were inside the team kitchen at AAMI Park on game day last week, waiting for their duties to start.
The NRL team had to walk through the kitchen from their dressing sheds to a meeting room where coach Craig Bellamy delivered his final instructions an hour before kick-off.
There wasn’t a single player, led by Josh King, who didn’t either high-five the kids, shake hands or say hello - without prompting.
CASE STUDY 2
Like most clubs, Melbourne uses a plethora of equipment during training at Gosch’s Paddock, next to AAMI Park.
After each session, players will help wheel quad bikes or carry training ropes back into their facility. It’s not left to the staff.
Want a box or ice bucket moved inside Storm HQ? A player – from club captain to a development player – will carry them to a gear van or back into the sheds.
CASE STUDY 3
Storm players are told to mingle at events, whether it be for corporates, sponsors or charity, and not huddle together in a corner.
They are told to look event guests in the eye, greet them and shake hands. The club regularly receives post-event emails from organisers and patrons praising the behaviour of players.
After meeting the players at a corporate function, Sarah Seddon from Sabre Collective wrote: “We walked in with a little trepidation but that didn’t last long, as soon we were warmly greeted by the players with hugs and handshakes, led by Cameron Munster. It didn’t feel forced or put on. We felt very special.”
CASE STUDY 4
Melbourne’s media team set up signage for every interview to promote sponsors. On a windy day, the signage banners can blow away.
More often than not, a player will sneak up behind the board and hold it firmly while interviews are conducted. Players will also help pull down the signage or sponsor signboards in the dressing room.
CASE STUDY 5
My old mate Buzz Rothfield travelled to Melbourne two years ago for an interview with Cam Munster.
Rothfield sat in the foyer of Melbourne’s Centre of Excellence while waiting to be collected by Storm GM Frank Ponissi.
“A number of players walked in and straight over to introduce themselves to me. I remember one being Tyran Wishart, another was Jack Howarth,” Rothfield said
“They were so pleasant and polite and I pointed that out to Frank, who said it was part of the club’s culture…if you see someone you don’t know, you stop, introduce yourself and say hello.”
CASE STUDY 6
Every new player will be sent to work for a fortnight before starting with the club.
Players will generally complete manual labour, work on the tools, carry bricks, shovel or paint - jobs generally found through the club’s network - from 5.30am to 7.30am before heading into the Storm offices.
After their football duties are completed, the newcomers return to work in the afternoon. No money is paid with Bellamy calling it a “life experience.”
CASE STUDY 7
Whether home or away, Melbourne players always leave their dressing rooms tidy. They won’t rip strapping from their body and throw it on the floor – it goes in the bin.
Kit bags are placed in a designated area, not just left for a property steward to carry and wash. Jersey and shirts are placed at a central point in the locker room, not left in cubicles.
CASE STUDY 8
Storm players ask questions to visitors at their headquarters. Usually, the outsider will ask the questions - not in Melbourne.
Players are told to be inquisitive, polite and take a genuine interest in guests - and that starts by asking questions.
CASE STUDY 9
Players from losing AFL teams usually walk straight off the field at full-time.
Win, lose or draw, Storm players remain on the field for at least 20 minutes post-game to interact and acknowledge the fans.
Storm captain Harry Grant said: “At the Storm, it’s about being a good person first, and good player second.”
As the club motto says, everyone is equal.
DOG TREATS
Former NRL star Dale ‘Rowdy’ Shearer wants to sell off a cherished piece of rugby league memorabilia.
Shearer, who represented Brisbane, Manly, Sydney City, North Queensland, Queensland, Gold Coast, South Queensland and Australia, has offered to part with his 1987 Manly World Club Challenge jacket.
He posted: “Anyone interested in my 1987 Manly World Cup Challenge blazer? Let me know. Probably only worn once, if that; the year we won the premiership.”
One respondent replied: “Rowdy, never give that up, mate.”
Aware of the jacket’s history, one punter even suggested Shearer’s offer was a joke but the bids were certainly flying in.
Manly beat Canberra in the 1987 grand final but lost the World Club Challenge 8-2 to Wigan at Central Park.
*****
Which State of Origin star ditched a car deal after a new offer arrived for a Maserati?
*****
Which leading player returned a sponsored car with a glove box full of unpaid parking fines?
The car dealership is filthy and wants the bills paid. The behaviour typifies the club’s falling status on and off the field.
*****
Being assistant coach at the underperforming Brisbane Broncos was a tough gig, but that is nothing compared to the challenge John Cartwright faces when he takes over at Hull FC.
The team’s 68-6 thrashing by Leeds last weekend was described by Hull Daily Mail scribe Daniel Tomlinson as “another pathetic attempt at a Super League standard performance with all the superlatives - bleak, pitiful, horrendous, diabolic, woeful -coming to the fore.
“The situation Hull find themselves in is nothing short of scandalous, with a shocking sequence of recruitment and retention over a five-year period spearheading the club to its current plight with just three wins all year.
“Again, that’s nothing that hasn’t been said before with a squad that currently lacks the necessary desire, quality, leadership, and accountability to be a competitive outfit in this competition.”
Good luck, Carty.
*****
Which well-known Manly establishment sent out an online flyer to members promoting the Wallabies, AFL and Melbourne Cup?
Obviously in their world the NRL stands for No Rugby League.
*****
Lebanon is poised for a historic tour of Europe later this year for a Test series against France. Talks between both nations are nearing completion.
The Cedars, ranked ninth in the world, had offered to play England before Samoa confirmed the two Tests series against the Brits in October and November.
*****
Former Dragons, Broncos and Panthers NRL coach Anthony Griffin has been named director of coaching at Eastwood rugby club.
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