The 2023 Melbourne Storm season was the 26th in the club's history, competing in the 2023 NRL season. The team was coached by Craig Bellamy, coaching the club for his 21st consecutive season. Melbourne Storm were captained by Christian Welch who was captain for the second consecutive season.[1]
Melbourne qualified for their 13th consecutive finals series, but were eliminated via a preliminary final loss against the Penrith Panthers.[2]
Season summary
Preseason – New recruits from the 2022–23 season took part in Melbourne Storm IDQ camp for pre season before New Years. Tyran Wishart was awarded the IDQ Iron bar.[3]
2 January – FullbackRyan Papenhuyzen left Australia for a two-week training camp in Philadelphia with Bill Knowles, as part of his recovery from injury. Papenhuyzen was six months into his recovery from a broken patella, but was yet to commence running. Knowles a sports reconditioning and athletic development specialist, had previously worked with NRL players Latrell Mitchell and Tom Trbojevic.[4]
22 January – Club chairperson Matt Trip suggested in an interview that the 2023 season would be coach Craig Bellamy's last season in the position before retirement. Tripp was quoted as saying "we chatted pre-Christmas and he was more 'no' than 'yes', but that might change as we get towards round one."[5]
5 February – After earning selection for the Māori All Stars as the only Melbourne Storm representative,[6]Nelson Asofa-Solomona withdraws from the annual match played in Rotutua, citing a heavy training load after only resuming training in January.[7][8]
9 February – Tui Kamikamica extends his contract with the club for a further two years to remain in Melbourne until the end of the 2025 season.[9][10][11]
12 February – In the club's first hit out for the season in the NRL's pre-season challenge, an inexperienced Melbourne squad go down 24–32 to the Sydney Roosters in front of almost 8,000 fans at GMHBA Stadium in Geelong. A broken arm to centreJustin Olam saw him leave the field after only a few minutes, but the performances of Victorian fullback Sualauvi Fa'alogo and Tyran Wishart were promising.[12] Melbourne would gain two bonus points in the pre-season challenge format which rewards attacking play.
19 February – After an error-ridden first half, Melbourne score 24 unanswered points to take a 24–6 win over New Zealand Warriors in the club's final pre-season trial match. Tries to New Zealanders Will Warbrick, Eliesa Katoa and Nelson Asofa-Solomona setting up the win.[13]
Round 1 – Harry Grant scores Melbourne's first ever "golden try" in the third minute of golden point extra time to clinch a 16–12 win over Parramatta Eels to open the 2023 NRL season.[15] The win was Melbourne's 21st consecutive round one victory, also ending a four match losing streak against Parramatta.[16] Will Warbrick and Bronson Garlick both made their NRL debuts, with Eliesa Katoa making his Storm debut. Cameron Munster returned to the field after half time, despite suffering a compound dislocation of his third finger on his right hand earlier in the match to inspire a second half comeback.[16][17][18]
9 March – Forwards Josh King and Lazarus Vaalepu sign new contracts to stay with Melbourne until the end of the 2025 NRL season. King had been made a member of the club's emerging leaders group in 2023 after joining the club for the 2022 season, while Vaalepu has joined the club on a train and trial contract for this season. Vaalepu will hold a development contract in 2024, joining the top 30 squad in 2025.[19][20]
Round 3 – In a high-scoring match, Gold Coast Titans win their first game over Melbourne at their home ground since 2013. Jonah Pezet made his NRL debut, scoring a try, with Tariq Sims also marking his Storm debut with a try.[21]
Round 5 – For the first time this season, Melbourne win consecutive games with the second victory coming in with a solid defensive effort against South Sydney to win 18–10.[22] Harry Grant earns all six Dally M Award points in the match, giving him a share the equal lead for the award after five rounds.[23]
Round 6 – Melbourne win their third game in a row, defeating the Roosters 28–8 in the rain at AAMI Park. Xavier Coates scored a hat-trick of tries, to send former Melbourne player Brandon Smith back to Sydney a loser in his first match against the Storm.[24]
Round 7 – In a fiery clash at 4 Pines Park, Manly snap Melbourne's winning streak in a 18–8 defeat. Three players are sent to the sin bin during the match by referee Adam Gee, with Tui Kamikamica and Justin Olam both facing additional penalties from the NRL Judiciary.[25][26]
Round 8 – Melbourne retain the Michael Moore Trophy in a quality contest against the New Zealand Warriors, coming from behind to win 30–22. Nick Meaney scored two tries in an 18 point haul to be awarded the Spirit of ANZAC Medal.[27][28] Following the game, it was announced that out of contract forward Nelson Asofa-Solomona had signed a new contract, keeping him at the club until the end of the 2027 season. Asofa-Solomona had been heavily chased by the Dolphins and a potential switch to rugby union.[29][30][31][32]
2 May – Justin Rodski confirms that the club will host two matches at Melbourne's Marvel Stadium, returning to the venue for the first time since 2010. The club had to relocate two home matches due to the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup being played at AAMI Park.[33][34][35]
Round 10 – Melbourne lose 28–12 against South Sydney at the NRL's annual Magic Round event.
Round 11 – Melbourne win their 13th consecutive game against the Brisbane Broncos, a streak stretching back to 2016. In a spiteful clash Melbourne emerge with a 24–16 victory, with three Broncos players sent to the sin bin by referee Todd Smith, and Aaron Pene sent to the sin bin late in the game for the Storm.[36]
15 May – Head coach Craig Bellamy confirms that he will continue in his role into the 2024 season, for what will be his 22nd in charge of the club. It was thought that he would retire and move into a coaching director role, but revealed that he had a change of mind and would continue with the coach saying "Munster came to me a couple of weeks ago and I don't usually take his advice on life but he said all of the players, and especially the leaders, were very keen for me to stay and they still thought I had something to give to the group".[37][38][39][40][18]
26 May – Bronson Garlick extends his contract with the club, signing a new deal to the end of the 2025 NRL season.[41][42]
30 May – A contract extension was granted to winger Will Warbick following his impressive start to the season. Warbrick's deal will keep him at Melbourne until the end of the 2026 NRL season.[43][44][45][46]
Round 15 – North Queensland thrash Melbourne 45–20 in Townsville. It was the first time since 2014 that the Storm had conceded 40+ points. The 45 points was the most conceded by Melbourne against the Cowboys.[47][18]
Round 16 – Will Warbrick scores a career-best four tries in the Storm's 28–6 win against the Wests Tigers. In the absence of the players selected for Queensland in Origin II, Jahrome Hughes captains the club with Christian Welch suspended.[48]
Round 20 – Xavier Coates scores another hat-trick of tries against the Roosters in a 30–16 win at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
17 July – After an impressive first season at the club, Eliesa Katoa signs an extended contract with the club, keeping him at Melbourne until the end of the 2027 season.[50][51]
Melbourne Storm "old boys" ahead of the round 22 match against Parramatta at Marvel Stadium
29 July – Justin Rodski is forced to defend the club after the Sydney media took offence at the club celebrating the 2007 and 2009 grand final winning teams, displaying the replica Provan-Summons Trophies owned by the Storm.[52] The club displayed the six trophies won by the club before the round 22 match against Parramatta and again at Melbourne's 25th anniversary celebrations, a function attended by over 70 former players. Club legends Billy Slater and Cameron Smith also defending the celebrations,[53][18] with the largest outrage seeming to come from journalists employed by former club owners News Corporation Australia.
Round 24 – Young Tonumaipea scores a try in his 50th appearance for the club, becoming the second Victorian player to celebrate the milestone for the club.[54] Melbourne end a run of defeats by the Canberra Raiders at AAMI Park, running in nine tries in a 48–2 victory in the only meeting between the clubs for the season.[55]
Round 27 – With 21 regular players missing from both teams, including 13 changes from the Storm team that had beaten the Titans in round 26, Melbourne defeated the Brisbane Broncos 32–22 to beat Brisbane for the 14th consecutive match. Melbourne also extending their winning run against the Broncos at their home ground, where Melbourne haven't lost to Brisbane since 2009. Sualauvi Fa'alogo marked an impressive NRL debut, coming from the interchange bench to score two tries. Jack Howarth made his long-awaited NRL debut for the club, and Joe Chan also made his debut as the first father-son combination in club history. Chan's father Alex made 32 appearances for Melbourne in 2004–05.[56][57] The result (combined with other results in the final round), saw Melbourne finish third on the NRL ladder, qualifying for the club's 13th consecutive finals series appearance.[18]
Qualifying final – With a number of regulars returning for both teams, Brisbane win their first match against Melbourne since 2016, and their first against the Storm at their home venue since 2009. Brisbane held Melbourne scoreless in a 26–0 win. It was the third time that the Storm have been held scoreless in an NRL finals match, and the first time the club had been held scoreless since 2020.[58] In just his third NRL game back from a lengthy injury break, Ryan Papenhuyzen suffers a serious broken leg, with Xavier Coates also limping off with a leg injury.[59][18]
Semi final – Melbourne bounce back to eliminate the Sydney Roosters from the 2023 NRL finals series, with Will Warbrick scoring a spectacular try in the final minutes of the match to give Melbourne the lead. The Storm had led 10–6 at half time, but trailed 13–12 until Warbrick's try.[60][18]
19 September – Cameron Munster and Harry Grant are both named to the Rugby League Players Association Dream Team. It was Grant's first selection in the best 13 players as voted by the players. It was Munster's fourth selection, to equal James Tedesco as having the most appearances in the Players' Dream Team.[61]
27 September – Harry Grant is named as the 2023 Dally M hooker of the year.[63] Grant finished sixth in the overall Dally M Medal count on 47 points, nine points behind winner Kalyn Ponga.[64] In addition, Cameron Munster was nominated for five eight of the year and Will Warbrick was nominated for rookie of the year.
Round 3 – Nick Meaney (2 tries, 5 goals) vs Gold Coast Titans
Round 8 – Nick Meaney (2 tries, 5 goals) vs New Zealand Warriors
Round 15 – Nick Meaney (9 goals) vs Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Most tries in a game: 4
Round 16 – Will Warbrick vs Wests Tigers
Winning games
Highest score in a winning game: 54 points
Round 15 vs Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Lowest score in a winning game: 16 points
Round 1 vs Parramatta Eels
Greatest winning margin: 46 points
Round 24 vs Canberra Raiders
Greatest number of games won consecutively: 4
Rounds 24–27
Losing games
Highest score in a losing game: 34 points
Round 3 vs Gold Coast Titans
Lowest score in a losing game: 0 points
Qualifying final vs Brisbane Broncos
Greatest losing margin: 34 points
Preliminary final vs Penrith Panthers
Greatest number of games lost consecutively: 2
Rounds 2–3
Jerseys
In December 2020, Melbourne Storm announced a five-year sponsorship and apparel partnership agreement with British sportswear company, Castore. They will continue produce supporter wear and jerseys for season 2023.
Home
Revealed in December 2022, the 2023 home jersey sees the return of the colour purple as the primary colour.[125] The design is similar to that worn in 2021–22 with front and back panels featuring a purple V pattern repeating all the way down the jersey, headed by a large purple V across the chest. Among the special features Castore has incorporated in the jersey are bright yellow lightning bolt design on the sides and the inclusion of a Big V logo on the inner collar as a continuation of the Our Home, Victoria acknowledgment which began during the 2020 season to honor Storm's home state. There is a small mark on the back of the jersey to recognise the club's 25th anniversary.
Away
The away jersey, worn when the home jersey creates a clash with the opposition, is also new design for 2023. The white jersey features a single purple centre stripe down the front of the jersey with purple trimming; it will be worn with white shorts (for the first time since 2014), and white socks with purple cuffs.
Heritage
In the club's first home game, Melbourne wore a replica design based on the club's first home jersey from 1998. The player's versions of the jersey had information about their counterpart from the 1998 first home game against North Sydney.[126] The design was later worn in round 22 against the Parramatta Eels when Melbourne celebrated the club's 25th anniversary.
ANZAC Day
Melbourne wore a specially designed jersey for the annual ANZAC Day match against the Warriors in round 8 at AAMI Park. The jersey was a variation of the home jersey which featured a chevron of red poppies across the chest, together with the ANZAC Appeal logo above the club logo.
Indigenous
Designed by Shanai Kellett, the great granddaughter of Sir Douglas Nicholls, the jersey uses the white away jersey as a base with artwork entitled Resilience that "highlights the footprints that each player takes on their journey throughout the club, teaching you to be humble, resilient, have respect and the importance of kin." The jersey was worn in two matches, against the Dolphins in round 12 during the NRL's Indigenous Round, and against the Sharks at AAMI Park in round 15.[127]
Junior competitions
In October 2022, Melbourne formalised a new partnership with NRL Victoria to rebrand the Victoria Thunderbolts Under-19 S. G. Ball Cup and Under-21 Jersey Flegg Cup teams to play under the Melbourne Storm brand. Both teams had been playing as the Thunderbolts since 2018, following the end of the NRL Under-20s competition. Melbourne Storm General Manager Football, Frank Ponissi saying "while the Thunderbolts have been a good development program for our local elite players, we want to build a system that delivers a stronger connection with Storm and provides the incentive for local players to one day play for Storm at AAMI Park. Not only will the SG Ball and Jersey Flegg teams play under our name, but players will wear Storm colours, train in Storm kit and have access to our coaches and staff throughout the year to help in their training and development."[128]
Melbourne had previously entered a team in the S. G. Ball Cup from 2009 to 2014.
Storm Academy
On 6 December 2022, the club announced the first members of the relaunched Storm Academy, with players who will form the basis of the club's rebranded Jersey Flegg Cup team. The players were as follows:[129]
Sheldon Diaz (Melbourne, VIC)
Matt Hill (Kununurra, NT)
Angus Hinchey (Brisbane, QLD)
Mitchell Jennings (Sunshine Coast, QLD)
Poasi Manu (Brisbane, QLD)
Jared Nauma (Melbourne, VIC)
K-Ci Newton-Whare (Christchurch, NZ)
Suliasi Prescott (Melbourne, VIC)
Keagan Russell-Smith (Penrith, NSW)
Gabriel Satrick (Yarrabah, QLD)
Karauria Stokes-Mauahara (Gold Coast, QLD)
Coby Williamson (Yeppoon, QLD)
Jersey Flegg Cup
Mark Russell was appointed coach of the Melbourne Storm Jersey Flegg Cup squad, coming to the club after coaching the Sydney Roosters S.G. Ball squad in 2021 and 2022. Working with Storm Academy coach Matt Duffie, the squad was made up of a number of players from Victoria and elsewhere.[130]
After a mixed start to the season, a six-match winning streak from round 9 through round 16 put the team in contention to make the competitions finals. However, a final minute loss to the Canberra Raiders in the last match of the season played at AAMI Park, saw the team drop to sixth on the ladder to miss the finals.[131]
Under coach Jason Warr, Melbourne struggled during the S.G. Ball Cup season, winning just one match against the Wests Tigers in round 8[132] to finish with the wooden spoon. Home matches were played at Comely Banks Recreation Reserve, the home of NRL Victoria team Pakenham Eels. Captain Josiah Ekkehard-Neli, and Storm Academy player Suliasi Prescott were two of the team's better players across the season.
^Previous First Grade RL club: This column denotes the previous RL club the player was signed to and played first grade RL for. If they are yet to debut then this is stipulated. If they were merely signed to the club but did not play then it is not counted
^2022 player loan deal: Nofoaluma returned to his original club at the end of 2022
^Grant Anderson was an unused interchange player in the Round 5 match against South Sydney, and the Round 12 match against the Dolphins. He does not gain official appearances for these matches.
^"In Pictures: IDQ Camp 2023". melbournestorm.com.au. 20 December 2022. Retrieved 2 January 2023. This week 16 Melbourne Storm players and new recruits embarked on the infamous I Don't Quit camp. After three days of non-stop effort, Tyran Wishart was officially awarded the 'Iron Bar' award as the best man on camp.
