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Storm Junior Rep U17 and U19 Awards Night

ourfooty — Sun, 01 Jun 2025 02:04:43 +0000

Storm Junior Rep U17 and U19 Awards Night

Storm Junior Rep U17 and U19 Awards Night (Photo : Melbourne Storm Media)

Melbourne Storm’s U17 Harold Matthews and U19 SG Ball Junior Representative squads enjoyed a night of celebration and recognition on Tuesday night, coming together for their annual End of Season Awards Night.

Hosted at AAMI Park, the night celebrated the significant progress made by both squads this year under the Storm Pathways Program and recognising the continued growth of rugby league in Victoria.

The SG Ball squad enjoyed a standout year, finishing eighth on the ladder with five wins and four losses.

In a major milestone, they qualified for their first finals series, advancing to week two before falling to the Parramatta Eels, who went on to play in the Grand Final.

Storm’s Harold Matthews side finished 17th on the ladder and despite not registering a win for the season, showed significant growth and development.

The young squad, featuring all Victorian locals will be looking to take their learnings from this season into the new year in 2026.

Local Victorian junior and former Storm player Young Tonumaipea was in attendance, presenting the Young Tonumaipea U17s Player of the Year trophy.

A full list of award winners are listed below:

U17’s Harold Matthews Cup

Melbourne Storm Young Tonumaipea Award: Jactin Samaeli

Melbourne Storm Best Forward: Malachai Taupau

Melbourne Storm Best Back and Melbourne Storm Players’ Player : Texas Esera – Saluni

U19’s SG Ball Cup

Melbourne Storm Greg Brentnall Award: Cooper Clarke

Melbourne Storm Best Forward: Lockyer – Azile Foliola

Melbourne Storm Best Back and Melbourne Storm Players’ Player: Amaziah Murgha

2025 Junior Representative Club Person of the Year: Arana Taepa

Storm Junior Rep Report Round 4

ourfooty — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 06:03:15 +0000

Storm Junior Rep Report Round 4

Author : Melbourne Storm

Storm Junior Rep Report Round 4

As Melbourne Storm enjoyed a historic first win in Fiji during the NRL’s pre-season trial, Storm’s juniors completed the perfect day out across all competitions, tasting victory in both the Harold Matthews and SG Ball age groups.

Travelling north to face the Balmain Tigers, Storm’s Harold Matthews started the day brightly, running out 36-16 winners and then Storm’s SG Ball side carrying on that momentum with a 28-10 victory.

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SG Ball Cup

A mistake coming out of trouble from the hosts invited Storm into good field position in the early exchanges and a strong run from damaging forward Suli Pole left the Tigers scrambling close to their line.

An attempted strip to deny Pole spilled out into the path of hooker Harrison Hill who showed great reflexes to reel the ball in and plant it down under the posts in the 13th minute.

After Tigers replied through a try of their own a few moments later, it would be Hill once again doing the damage from close to the line, throwing the dummy and spinning out of several attempted tackles to score in the 23rd minute.

A gut-busting effort in the final seconds of the first half would ultimately prove to be a key moment in the contest for Storm.

Showing great scramble to flood back in numbers to stop what looked to be a certain Tigers try down the left edge.

Storm carried that momentum into the second half, Ethan Van Gelderen storming onto the footy and proving impossible to stop close to the line in the 39th minute.

A shift to the left proved profitable 10 minutes later.

Storm slicing through and Nisifolo Fauonuku scoring to put Storm in the box seat heading into the pointy end of the contest before exciting half Ioane Lui put the icing on the cake in the final minutes.

Storm will now return home to face the Dragons at Seabrook Reserve at 2:30 on Saturday.

Harold Matthews Cup

Storm’s Harold Matthews side returned to the winners circle this weekend, proving too strong for the Balmain Tigers.

In a bright start for the visitors, Storm scored twice inside the opening 15 minutes, Zephaniah Faumuina and Lockyer-Azile Foliola both finding the tryline.

After Balmain registered its first points on the eve of halftime, Storm wasted little time in asserting authority on the second stanza, halfback Waka Hammond scoring right in the 34th minute.

The flurry of tries continued in the second half, Faumuina grabbing his double before fullback Matthew Kereti got in on the action in the 42nd minute.

Hammond once again found the line, his double in the 52nd minute sealing the strong win on the road.

Storm’s Harold Matthews side will look to keep the momentum going when they face the Dragons at Seabrook Reserve in Round 5.

Storm completes its male pathways

nswrlmedia — Sun, 14 Jan 2024 11:19:37 +0000

Storm completes its male pathways

Author : Margie McDonald

Storm completes its male pathways

For the first time in the 26-year history of the Melbourne Storm, the benchmark club will have a complete men’s pathways system with teams competing in the NSWRL competitions for 2024.

Melbourne will feature in the UNE Harold Matthews Cup (Under 17s), UNE SG Ball Cup (Under 19s), and Jersey Flegg Cup (Under 21s), while the North Sydney Bears in The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup will act as their new NRL feeder team.

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“We’ve never had four teams playing in the various NSWRL competitions … it’s a first, it’s unique and it’s something we’ve very proud of,”

Storm Football Manager and newly-appointed Westpac NSW Blues manager, Frank Ponissi, told melbournestorm.com.au

“We really want to create a strong club connection. We want them to feel part of Melbourne Storm – they are the Melbourne Storm, which is now not just a NRL team that plays every second weekend at AAMI Park.”

As part of that plan the Harold Matthews, SG Ball and Jersey Flegg teams are holding three joint training sessions with Storm’s NRL squad.

The first was in mid-December in the south-west Melbourne suburb of Officer – home of the Pakenham Eels.

The second was at Truganina in the western suburbs on 6 January, and a third is scheduled for February in the soon-to-be opened Broadmeadows Centre of Excellence.

That complex will not only be the headquarters for NRL Victoria, but Storm’s pathways teams will train there as well.

North Sydney Bears NSW Cup players Jesse Marschke and Regan Hughes trained with the NRL side in December.

Another two players Jake Toby and Tui Katoa will train for the next two weeks at Storm’s annual camp at Geelong Grammar.

Now that the men’s pathways are set, Melbourne Storm is looking at having a women’s team in NSWRL’s new Under 17s Lisa Fiaola Cup competition by 2025.

With a strong record in developing players from Queensland, New Zealand and other Pacific Islands, Ponissi believes there is huge potential to be found in Victoria.

“There’s a lot of things this club is proud of – premierships and minor premierships – but having only had five Storm players come from Victoria in 25 years is just not good enough,” he said.

“In 2024, 100 per cent of the Harold Matthews team will be made up with Victorian players, while a large majority of the SG Ball and Jersey Flegg teams will come from Victoria, as well as feeder clubs in NSW and Queensland.

“The talent is here. The passion is here. Now, we have the pathway that will help us find the next five, six or 10 players from Victoria to play for Storm.

“We want our players to aspire and believe they can make it (to NRL) and now there’s an opportunity to do it.

“At our joint sessions they will be in touching distance of NRL players, who are not much older than them really.”

The North Sydney Bears and Storm’s Jersey Flegg teams open their 2024 campaign on Sunday 10 March playing St George Illawarra Dragons at Collegians Sporting Complex, Wollongong.

The SG Ball and Harold Matthews sides play their Round One games against the Bears on Saturday 3 February.

Storm Junior Rep Wrap Round 4

ourfooty — Mon, 27 Feb 2023 02:47:37 +0000

Storm Junior Rep Wrap Round 4

Author : NRL VIC

Storm Junior Rep Wrap Round 4

Storm Junior Rep Wrap Round 4 (Photo : Steve Montgomery)

On the road for the first time this season, the Storm have gone down 34-16 to the Sharks at Pointsbet Stadium on Saturday.

The Storm matched the Sharks physicality early, playing out a tight first 15 minutes where both sides had chances in good field position.

After being pushed by the Storm early, the Sharks eventually made their mark on the contest, rolling up their sleeves and marching up field thanks to series of strong carries from their middle forwards.

Storm Junior Rep’s wrap rnd 4 (Photo : Steve Montgomery)

Sensing an opportunity to capitalise on this new-found momentum, the Sharks quickly shifted out to their left edge where centre Tre Fotu found some space before linking back up with half Dylan Christensen in the 16th minute.

Samuel McCulloc quickly doubled the Sharks lead just moments later with the lock forward throwing a dummy and going over in the 19th minute.

The Sharks would find more joy down that left hand side again with Tre Fotu getting himself onto the scorers sheet with a barnstorming run in the 27th minute.

Melbourne Storm Junior Rep’s wrap rnd 4 (Photo : Steve Montgomery)

The Sharks would add a further two more tries to their tally after the break thanks to tries from Felix Faatili and Dylan Coutts.

Needing a response of their own, the Storm attack began to click into gear midway through the second half.

The Storm received a piggyback out of their own end from a penalty and were quick to make the Sharks pay, with K-CI Newton-Whare barging over from close range in the 56th minute.

The Storm then made it back-to-back tries in quick succession, rolling up their sleeves and banging down the front door with Suli Pole crashing over in the 61st minute.

The Sharks then crossed for a four pointer of their own before the Storm scored a late consolation in what would ultimately be the final play of the contest, with Matt Hill slicing through on the left-hand edge in the 69th minute.

The Storm will now gear up to face the Bears in Sydney next Saturday at 1:30pm.

Photos by Steve Montgomery

Action Photo Galleries

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Storm Junior Rep Round 2 Wrap

ourfooty — Tue, 14 Feb 2023 06:01:58 +0000

Storm Junior Rep Round 2 Wrap

Author : Victorian Rugby League

Storm Junior Rep Round 2 Wrap

The Melbourne Storm have gone down to the Illawarra Steelers 34-20 in a high scoring affair at Comely Banks Reserve on Saturday.

Keen to put last week’s performance behind them, the Storm came out firing in the early exchanges, coming up with the goods in their first full set in good field territory.

Opting to run the ball on last, the Storm shifted the ball to the left with Bishop Walker firing a pass out to centre Siulagi Pio who sliced through on the left edge to grab their first try of the 2023 SG Ball season in just the 2nd minute.

The Storm were quick to expose the Steelers edge defence once again, this time finding plenty of space on the right hand side.

Hugo Peel going over untouched in the corner in the 10th minute.

The Steelers hit back with a try of their own when second rower James Walsh cut back through traffic to slam the ball down in the 13th minute.

The Steelers then made it back-to-back tries in quick succession with fullback Wesley Pring turning on the afterburners on the back of a scrum to burst through a stretched Storm defensive line in the 17th minute.

Momentum was well and truly in the Steelers favour with Kane Graham making his impact known from the bench, nabbing a four pointer to extend the Steelers lead.

Looking to bridge the gap before the break, the Storm hit back in electric fashion, Stanley Huen putting through a perfectly weighted chip and chase for his speedster on the wing Matthew Hill.

Storm Junior Rep Round 2 Wrap

Hill charged through and got the perfect bounce and then showed great composure to link back up with Huen who raced away to score in the 29th minute.

Coming out of the sheds trailling 16-14

Coming out of the sheds trailling 16-14, the Storm looked to complete early and get back into the arm wrestle, with Bishop Walker driving a kick into the corner.

As Steelers winger Jacob Haeta went back to retrieve the ball he placed his foot on the sideline. which opened the door for the Storm to make the most of a full set attacking the Steelers line.

With options to his left, exciting hooker Suliasi Prescott threw an elaborate dummy which fooled the three red jerseys in front of him

Parting the sea of defenders to score the Storm’s first try of the second half in the 48th minute.

Unfortunately for the Storm, Prescott’s opposite number Kyan Hjaltason was able to hit back with a try of his own not long later.

The Steelers rolled up their sleeves and produced a series of damaging runs which opened the door for Hjaltason to capitalise on successive quick play the balls and catch the Storm defence on the back foot, burrowing over in the 55th minute.

The next fifteen minutes saw both sides fighting hard to wrestle back momentum into their favour, with both forward packs getting through plenty of work through the middle.

With the game still in the balance until the final 10 minutes, it was two individual efforts from close range from Seth Pearman in the dying stages that would ultimately seal victory for the Steelers.

The Storm will suit up for their third consecutive home game at Comely Banks Reserve on Sunday against the Warriors.

Round 2 action Photo’s

Academy u16’s – Bears vs Sharks

HMC – Bears vs Sharks

SG Ball Cup – Bears vs Sharks

TGC – Bears vs Sharks

HNWP – Bears vs Sharks

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SG Ball Cup season preview

dailytelegraph — Mon, 23 Jan 2023 11:51:51 +0000

SG Ball Cup season preview

Author's : Sean Teuma, Katrina May, Jason Hosken and Kevin Merrigan NewsCorp Sport

https://ourfootyteam.blob.core.windows.net/website/2023/01/2022_nswrl_junior_rep_grand_finals-082.mp4

SG Ball Cup season preview: Every club profiled ahead of the 2023 NSWRL junior reps season

Some of the biggest young stars in the game are set to feature as the SG Ball Cup season gets underway once again. NewsCorp & OurFootyTeamcontinues its preview of all teams with the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

Watch the replay of the NSWRL finals – Newcastle Knights vs Penrith Panthers (SG Ball Cup).

Pitting the best U19s talent in Australia against each other, the competition has a long history of breeding future first graders, and this year is set to be no different.

The best of NSW local rugby league

Penrith’s success was one of many for the club last year, but there are plenty of sides hot on their tails, including a Western Suburbs side calling up multiple players from their dominant Harold Matthews Cup premiership in 2022.

We’ll progressively preview all 16 clubs competing this year, continuing with the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

Tyrone Munro (left) and Jye Gray. Picture: John Gass

SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS

Captain: Jye Gray

Coach: John Sutton

Players to watch: “Jye Gray came down from Queensland.

He won the Mal Meninga Cup player of the year, and he’s super quick and good with the ball.

Tyrone Munro had a pre-season with first grade and is super talented.

He’s tall and rangy, and scored four tries on the weekend on the wing.

Thomas Fletcher is a second rower who also had a pre-season with first grade.

He’s a big fella who runs hard and is a good defender.

He’s put on a lot of size and we expect good things from him.”

Surprise packet:

“Dane Towns has really impressed me with his skill.

We have a few that can play fullback but we’ve given him the nod.

He is silky at the back, can set up tries and score them himself.

He’s come from the clouds to claim that number one spot.”

Why they will be competitive:

“Having a few of the boys there from last year helps.

It wasn’t such a good year and we were disappointed.

This year we’ve bought really well with a few players from Queensland coming into the squad.

I think we have a good balance with forwards going forward and backs that can score from anywhere.

If we can link it all up I think we’re in for a good year.”

Last season: 10th

Lyhkan King Tongia will join the Steelers in 2023. Picture: Kevin Farmer

ILLAWARRA STEELERS

Captain: TBA

Coach: Russ Aitken

Players to watch: According to Steelers officials, Dylan Egan is a name to be remembered.

A no-nonsense Gerringong back-rower, Egan enters the season in top-top shape following an impressive NRL pre-season.

Look for the Steelers to flourish on the back of his physicality and competitiveness. Lyhkan King-Togia was lured to the Dragons from the regional Queensland town of Dalby.

Listed to join next season’s NRL training squad, the livewire half is expected to light up the competition with a healthy mix of skill and pace.

Monster prop Jett Lui has excelled during his debut NRL pre-season.

With a dominating physical presence and professionalism, the Leeton junior is tipped to climb the Dragons ranks.

Surprise packet:

Already destined for higher honours, Kyan Hjaltason is a crafty and scheming dummy half who asks plenty of questions around the ruck.

A genuine surprise packet, the darting hooker will be one to keep an eye on as the Steelers’ big men march up-field.

Why they will be competitive: It’s the first year Russell has worked with these boys, but it’s been an impressive pre-season and he is liking to look of his squad in the trials so far.

Russell believes his team has a high footy IQ, and believes they’ll question some teams going forward with the style of footy they play.

They want to be as competitive as possible and exceed the benchmark ladder position they set last year.

Last season: 5th (Eliminated finals Wk 1)

Squad:

Viliami Amone, Ethan Cliff, Dylan Egan, Taj Ford, Kane Graham, Jacob Haeata, Te Umuariki Heremia-Tukere, Kyan Hjaltason, Neasan Jha-Langley, Lyhkan King-Togia, Isaac Laughton, Callum Leikvoll, Jett Liu, Campbell Lyons, Zak Maarbani, Toby Miller, Ramses Munro, Seth Pearman, Wesley Pring, Jack Quine, Campbell Rubie, Toby Rumble, Bailey Sassall, Judd Stevenson, Hamish Stewart, Darnell Te Ahuru, Vaenuku Vatuvei, Ashton Ward, James Walsh.

Loko Tonga (right) will play for the Dragons this year. Picture: John Gass

ST GEORGE DRAGONS

Captain: TBA

Coach: Willie Talau

Players to watch:

Loko Tonga is a towering prop who starred for Ipswich State High School in last year’s National Championships.

Already turning heads since arriving at Kogarah, the powerful forward is a born leader with endurance and a destructive carry.

Nick Tsougranis is a strong and aggressive backrower from Arncliffe Scots juniors.

Always a handful on the edge, he has already progressed through to Jersey Flegg and is destined for higher honours.

Corey Ackers is an energetic foot-to-the-floor explosive ball carrier.

Capable in the back-row or lock, the Arncliffe Scots product is poised to join the Dragons NRL training squad in the coming seasons.

Surprise packet:

In a squad blessed with potent forward stocks, Carlos Pauli is a new hardworking recruit who is expected to create havoc with his dynamic charges.

Why they will be competitive: With former Kiwi and Samoan international Willie Talau coming on board as coach, you can be sure that St George will always be up for the battle, irrespective of their opponents reputations.

Last season: 14th

Former Cronulla Sharks player & NSW representative Chevy Stewart joins the Raiders in 2023 (Photo : Steve Montgomery)

CANBERRA RAIDERS

Captain: TBA

Coach: Peter Marrapodi

Players to watch: Gun fullback Chevy Stewart arrives in Canberra after a standout year for Cronulla in last season’s Harold Matthews competition.

Fit and firing after completing his pre-season training with the NRL squad, the speedster will provide plenty of flare out wide and havoc through centrefield with his deadly anticipation.

The younger brother of Canberra NRL prop Ata Mariota,

Niu is an impact player fast tracking his own path to higher honours.

One of the bigger front-rowers in the competition, Mariota’s fitness has risen to another level after several disrupted pre-seasons.

Surprise packet:

Hunter recruit Jake Clydesdale is the brother of former Newcastle and Canberra hooker Adam, and it’s where the similarities end.

A front-row powerhouse, Jake is a country kid with a great attitude who coach Peter Marrapodi expects will surprise many with his impact up the middle.

Why they will be competitive:

With several key signings joining the best of last year’s Harold Matthews semi final combination, the Raiders are expected to be a force.

Marrapodi sees his squad’s fitness and hard working values as a point of difference, and believes he has the halves required to exploit the team’s inevitable go-forward.

Last season: 9th

Squad list:

Chevy Stewart, Eddie Tiana, Elvis Nauer-Wood, Ethan Alaia, Jack Anderson, Jack Clutterbuck, Jack Piccirilli, Jacob Iosefa, Jake Clydesdale, Jalen Afasamaga, Jaxen Yow, Jaxon Lavender, Jayden Wolfe, Joe Roddy, Jordan Chapman, Keahn Skipps, Lekani Mpaso, Mark Tuialii, Niu Mariota, Noah Martin, Owen Hromow, Owen Pattie, Ryan Woolley, Samuel Gash, Siamani Leuluai, Tahrell Feavai, Trent Jefferey, Vena Patuki-Case, Xavier Cacciotti

Lawton Cotter in action against the Canterbury Bulldogs in a trial game on Sarurday (Photo : Steve Montgomery)

Lawson Cotter training for Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks ahead of the 2023 NSW SG Ball Cup. Picture: Contributed

CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS

Captain: TBA

Coach: David Howlett

Players to watch: Lawson Cotter and Lachlan Crossle are both local junior league players with strong running games.

Cotter is an edge back row, and has been highlighted by academy and talent manager Glenn Brailey as an exciting prospect. Meanwhile, front rower Crossle is known for his fitness and hard work on the park.

Both players got a taste of SG Ball level last year and will bring needed experience to the side.

Why they will be competitive:

Officials have assembled what they believe are strong squads, with a good combination of local talent and positional-specific recruited players.

With a bit of luck with injuries, they’re aiming for progression in 2023. Players graduating from a grand final appearance in last year’s Harold Matthews Cup will push their claims of a finals appearance.

Last season: 7th

Suliasi Prescott of the Melbourne Storm. Picture: Penny McCredie

MELBOURNE STORM

Captain: Josiah-Ekkehard Neli

Coach: Jason Warr

Players to watch:

“Lock Josiah-Ekkehard Neli and front rower Zayvian Langkilde-Fale both finished last year playing some Jersey Flegg.

Josiah is a really willing player, he’s aggressive and plays well and truly above his weight.

Zayvian is a strong ball carrier and does all the right things in defence.

Suliasi Prescott has spent the pre-season with the NRL development ad is an elusive dummy half coming back after last year.”

Surprise packet:

“Young centre Siulagi Pio has got a great frame on him and brings a great attitude to the club.

We’re expecting some big things from him.”

Why they will be competitive:

“This is the best pre-season we’ve ever had.

There’s been interruptions the last couple of years but none this time.

The boys have been training really well and are looking to put their best foot forward. 75 per cent are top age players, whereas in previous years we’ve had to rely on bottom age to come through.

It’s a good platform having a season under their belts which helps with cohesion.”

Last season: 15th

Elijah Mataale. Picture: Adam Yip

BALMAIN TIGERS

Captain: TBA

Coach: Gaven Sheehan

Players to watch:

“The name on everyone’s mouth is Josh Feledy. He transferred from Manly to the Wests Tigers.

He’s been training with the NRL squad in the pre-season and we might see him in the first few rounds (of SG Ball).

Another is a local Tony Sukkar who is a forward and a very likely prospect coming back into SG Ball.

He is a powerful player with a lot of maturity. He’s been training in the NRL squad along with Oliver Lawry. He’s a big unit at over six foot tall, and has great skills and is a strong half.”

Surprise packet:

“I had a big wrap on this player from last year but unfortunately he got injured in the trials. Elijah Mataale has come back 5kg fitter and trimmer. He looks a great prospect. He’s a middle front rower.

Another is John Ibrahim who looks great as a running lock.”

Why they will be competitive:

“If you look at both teams last year, not a lot of people gave us a hope in SG Ball and we finished only one point out of second. What I see in this group is balance across the field.

We’ve got some good forwards, good backs and some key players in those positions.

You look at Wests and a few others that will be strong, we’ll likely sit under the radar.

We’ll continue to build nicely and there’s no real weaknesses across the field. Our top 18-20 players look strong.”

Last season: 3rd (eliminated Finals Wk 1)

Squad:

Lipina Ata, Lachlan Broedlow, Levi Conti, Jonas Cook, Bryson Demanuelle, Kian Edmed, Jesse Eljuga, Josh Feledy, Michael Feledy, Aiden Harb, Johnny Ibrahim, Cameron Kanaan, Hosea Kedzlie, Will Kennedy, Keenan Lawandos, Oliver Lawry, Lotu Lavilavi, Zaid Lehn, Jackson Lill, William Malloy, Elijah Mataale, Billy McNickle, Adam Mehrez, Brendan Naicori, Charlie O’kane, Velangi Otahaha, Joe Schmitzer, Jekope Sovau, Gabe Stuart, Tony Sukkar, Jordan Tut Chapman, Kaisara Tuimauga, Wade Zreika

Kit Laulili’i. Picture: Richard Dobson

WESTERN SUBURBS MAGPIES

Captain: TBA

Coach: Joey Saukuru

Players to watch:

“We’ve had three training at the top level.

Kit Laulili’i is a ball-playing lock and brings real leadership to the team He’s a year young for SG Ball but is very mature minded and leads from the front.

Zac Clarke is an edge back rower who can also play at the six.

Tallyn De Silva is a classy nine that gets out and runs.

The club has managed to lock him down which is good for his development, we rate him really highly.”

Surprise packet:

“Heath Mason is a good, running half and a really nice kid.

He was in the Emerging Blues over the summer and went into camp with them.

Heath was part of the Harold Matts team last year that went undefeated last year and is a St Greg’s product who trains hard and is really aggressive.”

Why they will be competitive:

“In last year’s SG Ball we had 11 year youngs and nine of them have stayed on with two moved on to other clubs.

Plus we have the young guys coming up from Harold Matts so we have a decent side of local talent.

There’s about 95 per cent that are locals, sprinkled in with Australian Schoolboys player Chris Faagutu (from Queensland), I think we can give it a really good shake.”

Last season: 12th

Squad: Brycen Anae-Roberts, Teancum Brown, Lachlan Bush, Zakauri Clarke, Tajh Colquhoun, William Craig, Tallyn Da Silva, Christopher Faagutu, Sosefo Finau, Lachlan Galvin, Tino Tavana, Luke Keppie, Kit Laulili’i, Jeremiah Leatigaga, Ofele Lene, Raymond Lole, Heath Mason, Jordan Miller, Thomas Pati, Elijah Pettit-Young, Heith Pritchard, Solomone Saukuru, Mou Taumaletila-Maulolo, Junior Taungatua, Masei Tavui, Harrison Valevatu, Daniel Waqa

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The post SG Ball Cup season preview appeared first on OurFootyTeam.

Storm looks to the future with Academy launch

ourfooty — Wed, 07 Dec 2022 05:26:54 +0000

Storm looks to the future with Academy launch

Author : melbournestorm.com.au

Storm looks to the future with Academy launch

A new wave of young rugby league talent has hit the training field in Melbourne with the official launch of the Storm Academy supported by Storm’s major partner RedZed and official partner Jaybro.

Twelve young footballers from Victoria, Queensland, New South Wales and New Zealand have been identified as future NRL prospects and will learn all that it takes, on and off the field, to become a first-grade player with Storm.

They are under the guidance of two former Storm representative players – Academy coach Matt Duffie and Recruitment and Pathways Manager Tim Glasby – and will form part of Melbourne’s Jersey Flegg squad in 2023.

The Academy is a key part of Storm’s plans to develop more “homegrown” players.

Storm CEO Justin Rodski said Storm had a strong reputation for growing and developing its own talent during the years of the NYC under-20 competition. However, those numbers had reduced since that competition ended in 2017.

“The Storm Academy is something we are very passionate about and represents the future of Melbourne Storm,” Rodski said.

“Our Academy members will receive the intensive coaching and education they need to become elite players well versed in what we do as a club on and off the field.

We believe there is a clear connection between developing homegrown players and our club’s overall success. Justin Rodski CEO, Melbourne Storm

“If you look at our 2020 premiership players, the vast majority had never played in the NRL before coming to Storm, including a number of our under-20s graduates.

“The end of the NYC competition had created a gap in our pathways and now that has been filled.

“While we are increasing our focus on producing our own NRL players, there will always be a home for more experienced recruits here in Melbourne. That tradition has existed since day one of Storm and will continue in the future.”

Rodski said one of the Academy’s priorities was to bring many more Victorian juniors through to NRL level than has occurred over previous years.

“Since Storm’s inception, we have fielded only four Victorian raised players and that’s a figure which must go much higher for the game to develop here in our home state and for Storm to continue to prosper,” he said.

We want rugby league in Victoria to be strong and that will help Storm to stay strong.

Justin Rodski CEO, Melbourne Storm

“Pleasingly we have three Victorians who are part of the Academy program and we also currently have three Victorians in our wider NRL squad for 2023 – Dean Ieremia, Young Tonumaipea and Sua Fa’alogo.

We’d love to see that number be substantially more in the future.

“The Storm Academy will add to the very positive work we are undertaking alongside NRL Victoria via the Storm Junior League and the Storm Premiership for the seniors.

“Thank you to our partners and to our Watchtower corporate network who have supported the launch of our new Academy This is an important investment in the future of our club.”

Academy coach Matt Duffie said there was now a clear pathway for elite juniors to develop through the Storm system with the end goal of graduating to the NRL squad.

“We’re committed to developing our own players here in Melbourne,” he said.

We have brought together a great group of young men who are dedicated to improving their game and achieving their full potential

Matt Duffie Coach, Storm Academy

The Academy squad includes Matt Hill and Gabriel Satrick, who are this year’s members of the Coles First Nations Pathway Program which was launched at Storm last season.

Hill, who plays at fullback, is originally from Kununurra in the Northern Territory and has been studying at St Brendans College in Yeppoon, Queensland.

Satrick hails from Yarrabah in Far North Queensland and was hooker in the Australian Schoolboys squad this year as a student at Ipswich High School.

2023 Storm training range – Made for Melbourne

The Coles First Nations Pathway Program, which aims to provide more opportunities for young Indigenous players, has already shown its value with first-year member AJ Gudgeon earning a development contract with Storm for the next two seasons.

The Coles program members receive a full immersive experience at Storm, focusing on professional and personal development, mentoring and elite training.

RedZed Managing Director Evan Dwyer said: “After three rewarding years as Major Partner for Melbourne Storm, we are thrilled to be extending our sponsorship to the Storm Academy.

As an Official Academy Partner, we are proud to support Matt Duffie and the opportunities and resources the Academy provides for homegrown players to learn the Storm culture.”

Jaybro Chief Operating Officer Adrian Palumbo said: “At Jaybro we have a long history of supporting youth by providing growth opportunities in learning business and developing their careers.

Jaybro are extremely excited to be a part of Melbourne Storm’s inaugural Academy and to be able to offer employment education and opportunities for these up-and-coming players.”

Gabriel Satrick 2022 Peter Sterling Medalist Picture: Steve Montgomery

Storm Academy squad

Sheldon Diaz: 19. Front-row. From Melbourne, Vic

Matt Hill: 18. Fullback. Originally: Kununurra, NT. From St Brendans College, Yeppoon

Angus Hinchey: 18. Back-rower. From Brisbane

Mitchell Jennings: 18. Centre. From Sunshine Coast

Poasi Manu: 20. Back-rower. From Brisbane

Jared Nauma: 20. Back-rower. From Melbourne, Vic

K-Ci Newton-Whare: 18. Front-rower. Originally: Christchuch, NZ. From Gold Coast

Suliasi Prescott: 18. Hooker. From Melbourne, Vic

Keagan Russell-Smith: 19. Halfback. From Penrith, NSW

Gabriel Satrick: 18. Hooker. Originally: Yarrabah, Qld. From Ipswich High

Karauria Stokes-Mauahara: 18. Fullback. Originally: NZ. From Keebra Park, Gold Coast

Coby Williamson: 19. Centre. Originally: Emerald, Qld. From St Brendans College, Yeppoon

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