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2025 Melbourne Storm season

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2025 Melbourne Storm season
NRL Rank3rd (as at round 20)
2025 recordWins: 12; losses: 5
Points scoredFor: 533; against: 315
Team information
CEOJustin Rodski
CoachCraig Bellamy
Captain
StadiumAAMI Park – 30,050
High attendance26,427 (Round 6)
Top scorers
TriesXavier Coates (13)
GoalsRyan Papenhuyzen (58)
PointsRyan Papenhuyzen (165)
← 2024 List of seasons 2026 →

The 2025 Melbourne Storm season is the 28th in the club's history, competing in the 2025 NRL season. The team is coached by Craig Bellamy, coaching the club for a 23rd consecutive season. Harry Grant continues as club captain for a second season.

Season summary

[edit]
  • Preseason – Joining the club on train and trial contracts ahead of the season were players from the Storm academy (Coby Williamson, Mitch Jennings); Sunshine Coast Falcons (Josh Billing, Cooper-Page Wilson); Brisbane Tigers (Vaka Sikahele, Setu Tu); and North Sydney Bears (Nathaniel Roache, Morgan Harper, Ben Talty)[1]
  • 16 January – The club confirms that winger Dean Ieremia had suffered an achilles tendon rupture which will keep him sidelined for at least six months.[2][3]
  • 9 February – Harry Grant was reappointed captain, with Jahrome Hughes and Cameron Munster appointed as vice-captains. The club named a seven-man leadership group, with a number of other players named to an emerging leader group.[4]
  • 11 February – It was reported that former captain Christian Welch could be contemplating medical retirement after suffering a concussion during the club's preseason training camp. Welch had been given time away from the club to recover and was absent from a number of team activities.[5]
  • 12 February – Christian Welch announced his retirement from rugby league effective immediately. Welch retired on medical grounds due to a debilitating back injury.[6][7][8]
  • 15 February – Trailing 36–0 at half time of their first 2025 NRL Pre-season Challenge match against the New Zealand Warriors, an inexperienced Melbourne squad scored the only points of the second half in a 36–10 defeat.[9]
  • 23 February – Melbourne go without a win during the pre-season for the first time since 2019, losing their second match of the year 36–24 to the North Queensland Cowboys at Casey Fields. Sua Fa'alogo scored a try just before half time, but was forced from the field in the second half due to a hamstring injury. New signing Stefano Utoikamanu scored a try in his second match for the club ahead of the new season. In the second half, club academy prospect Hugo Peel suffered a broken jaw and severe concussion after a collision with fellow rookie Coby Williamson.[10][11]
  • Round 1 – Melbourne score 46 points in the first half against the Parramatta Eels to set a new club record for first half points, on the way to a 56–18 victory. Ryan Papenhuyzen and Xavier Coates each scored two tries to extend the club's round 1 winning streak to 23 matches.[12][13][14]
  • 13 March – Forward Josh King extends his contract with the club until the end of the 2027 season.[15][16]
  • Round 3 – Melbourne defeat 2024 NRL Grand Final opponent Penrith Panthers 30–24 at AAMI Park, with both teams scoring five tries. Cameron Munster had three try assists in the win, but was put on report for an alleged hip-drop tackle for which he was not cited by the NRL Judiciary. Halfback Jahrome Hughes suffered a broken hand, while Nick Meaney and Nelson Asofa-Solomona were both injured in a tackling collision. Meaney suffered a facial injury in the incident and Asofa-Solomona a concussion.[17][18][19]
  • Round 4 – The Storm lose their first match of the season, going down to the St George Illawarra Dragons 14–6 in wet conditions at Netstrata Jubliee Stadium. Ryan Papenhuyzen scored the club's only try in a dour match.[20][21][22]
  • Round 5 – The Storm end a three-match losing streak at 4 Pines Park in a 48–24 win against the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles. Grant Anderson scored his first NRL hat-trick.
  • Round 6 — Melbourne retain the Michael Moore Trophy for the 17th successive match with a win against the Warriors. The Storm led 36–0 at half time, with Xavier Coates scoring a double. Ryan Papenhuyzen was again perfect with the boot, bringing up his 500th career point in the first half.
  • Round 7 — The Dolphins defeat Melbourne 42–22 for their first win against the Storm. Melbourne had led 16–2 in the first half, before conceding the next 40 points.[23] Jack Howarth injured his shoulder during the match, while captain Harry Grant was injured at training before travelling to Brisbane.[24] Ryan Papenhuyzen was charged with a grade one dangerous tackle late in the match, with the club opting to fight the subsequent fine at the NRL Judiciary. The panel members dismissed the charge after two minutes of deliberation.[25][26]
  • Round 8 — Melbourne extend their winning streak against the South Sydney Rabbitohs in Victoria to 20 matches, with the visitors yet to win a match in Victoria. In wet conditions, Melbourne won 24–16 despite a late surge from Souths after Ryan Papenhuyzen was sent to the sin bin with eight minutes remaining for a professional foul. Eliesa Katoa was awarded the Spirit of ANZAC Medal for his efforts in the match, which included scoring a try.[27] There was controversy before the match when the club reportedly cancelled a Welcome to Country to be performed by Indigenous Elder Aunty Joy Murphy Wandin as part of the ANZAC Day commemorations.[28] The controversy later leading to the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service ending their partnership with the club which promoted the "Deadly Choices" campaign.[29]
  • Round 9 – In a thriller at Magic Round, the club was defeated by a penalty goal just before half time of golden point by the Canberra Raiders to lose 20–18. Melbourne had led by 14 points during the first half and had a field goal taken off the scoreboard by referee Gerard Sutton in the final ten minutes of regulation time. A controversial penalty in extra time against Stefano Utoikamanu (which also led to the forward being sent to the sin bin) earned the ire of supporters, while coach Craig Bellamy focused on a lack of discipline by his players.[30][31]
  • Round 10 – Ryan Papenhuyzen scored 36 points against the Wests Tigers to break the long-standing club record for individual points in a match, besting Matt Geyer's 34 points against Western Suburbs in 1999. Papenhuyzen scored four tries, including a hat-trick to start the match, together with kicking 10 of 11 conversion attempts. The 64–0 win equalled Melbourne's greatest winning margin.[32][33]
  • 26 May – The club secures the signing of 21-year-old prop forward Josiah Pahulu with immediate effect until the end of the 2027 season. Pahulu joins Melbourne from the Gold Coast Titans where he had played 22 NRL matches, including three in 2025.[34][35]
  • 29 May – It is reported that Melbourne will be ending their feeder club affiliation agreements with the Brisbane Tigers and Sunshine Coast Falcons in favour of forming their own NSW Cup team to compete in that competition from 2026.[36] The club previously had a short-lived NSW Cup team competing as the Melbourne Storm in 2010. The club later issued a statement partially refuting the report, stating it would be maintaining its connection with the Queensland clubs.
  • 5 June – Craig Bellamy confirms that he was continue in his position as head coach until the end of the 2026 season, extending his tenure to a 24th season.[37]
  • Round 18 – Missing five players to State of Origin selection, and with a number of players missing through injury, Melbourne end their three-match losing streak at Queensland Country Bank Stadium to win 26–20. Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown made his NRL debut on the wing for the Storm, becoming the sixth Victorian-born player to make their debut with the club.
  • Round 20 – Manly snap Melbourne's six match winning streak and their ten match winning streak with an upset 18–16 victory. Behind 16–6 at half time, the Storm rallied to level the scores with Xavier Coates scoring a hat trick, but a late penalty goal handed the Sea Eagles the two points.

Milestone games

[edit]
Round Player Milestone
Round 1 Stefano Utoikamanu Storm debut
Will Warbrick 50th match
Round 5 Alec MacDonald 50th match
Moses Leo NRL debut
Round 6 Ryan Papenhuyzen 500 career points
Round 9 Eliesa Katoa 100th NRL match
Ryan Papenhuyzen 100th match
Round 18 Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown NRL debut
Round 20 Nick Meaney 150th NRL match

Fixtures

[edit]

Pre-season Challenge

[edit]
Main article: 2025 NRL Pre-season Challenge

Source:[38]

Date Rd Opponent Venue Result Mel. Opp. Tries Goals Field goals Ref
15 February Trial New Zealand Warriors FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton Lost 10 36 K Bradley, B Talty E Morris 1/1, K Russell-Smith 0/1 [39]
23 February Trial North Queensland Cowboys Casey Fields, Melbourne Lost 24 36 N Meaney, S Fa'alogo, K Russell-Smith, S Utoikamanu, S Blore N Meaney 1/2, T Wishart 1/2, K Russell-Smith 0/1 [40]

Regular season

[edit]

Result by round

[edit]
Round123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627
GroundH–HAAHAHNHA–AH–AHAAHAAHAHHA
ResultWBWLWWLWLWLBWWBWWWWL
Position11143222434444433223
Points24668101012121414161820222426283030
Source: National Rugby League
A = Away; H = Home; N = Neutral; B = Bye; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches

[edit]

Source:[41]

Date Rd Opponent H/A Venue Result Mel. Opp. Tries Goals Field goals Ref
9 March 1 Parramatta Eels Home AAMI Park, Melbourne Won 56 18 X Coates (2), R Papenhuyzen (2), J King, E Katoa, H Grant, N Meaney, W Warbrick, J Hughes N Meaney 8/10 [42]
16 March 2 Bye
20 March 3 Penrith Panthers Home AAMI Park, Melbourne Won 30 24 G Anderson, E Katoa, X Coates, T Wishart, R Papenhuyzen N Meaney 3/3, R Papenhuyzen 2/3 [43]
25 March 4 St. George Illawarra Dragons Away Netstrata Jubille Stadium, Sydney Lost 8 14 R Papenhuyzen T Wishart 2/2 [44]
6 April 5[i] Manly Warringah Sea Eagles Away 4 Pines Park, Sydney Won 48 24 G Anderson (3), S Utoikamanu, C Munster, R Papenhuyzen, B Garlick, J Howarth R Papenhuyzen 7/7, T Wishart 1/1 [45]
13 April 6 New Zealand Warriors Home AAMI Park, Melbourne Won 42 14 X Coates (2), J King, S Blore, T Loiero, H Grant, G Anderson R Papenhuyzen 7/7 [46]
18 April 7 Dolphins Away Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Lost 22 42 K Bradley (2), X Coates, R Papenhuyzen R Papenhuyzen 3/4 [47]
25 April 8[ii] South Sydney Rabbitohs Home AAMI Park, Melbourne Won 24 16 R Papenhuyzen, X Coates, E Katoa, T Wishart R Papenhuyzen 4/5 [48]
4 May 9[iii] Canberra Raiders Home Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Lost
(g.p.)		 18 20 G Anderson, R Papenhuyzen, S Fa'alogo R Papenhuyzen 3/5 [49]
11 May 10[iv] Wests Tigers Home AAMI Park, Melbourne Won 64 0 R Papenhuyzen (4), J King, J Hughes, N Meaney, N Asofa-Solomona, E Katoa, C Munster, B Garlick R Papenhuyzen 10/11 [50]
17 May 11 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Away Sharks Stadium, Sydney Lost 26 31 X Coates (3), G Anderson, N Meaney R Papenhuyzen 3/5 [51]
24 May 12 Bye
31 May 13 Gold Coast Titans Away Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast Won 28 16 S Fa'alogo (2), G Anderson (2), T Wishart R Papenhuyzen 4/5 R Papenhuyzen 0/1 [52]
6 June 14 North Queensland Cowboys Home AAMI Park, Melbourne Won 38 14 J Hughes (2), E Katoa, N Meaney, N Asofa-Solomona, T Wishart R Papenhuyzen 7/7 [53]
14 June 15 Bye
21 June 16 South Sydney Rabbitohs Away Accor Stadium, Sydney Won
(g.p.)		 25 24 H Grant, J Hughes, G Anderson, T Wishart R Papenhuyzen 4/4 R Papenhuyzen 1/2 [54]
29 June 17 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Home AAMI Park, Melbourne Won 30 6 E Katoa, S Fa'alogo, N Meaney, J Hughes, T Loiero R Papenhuyzen 4/6, N Meaney 1/1 [55]
5 July 18 North Queensland Cowboys Away Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville Won 26 20 N Meaney (2), E Katoa, N Asofa-Solomona N Meaney 5/5 [56]
12 July 19 Newcastle Knights Away McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle Won 32 14 E Katoa (2), T Loiero (2), K Bradley (2) N Meaney 3/6, J Pezet 1/1 [57]
19 July 20 Manly Warringah Sea Eagles Home AAMI Park, Melbourne Lost 16 18 X Coates (3) N Meaney 2/3 [58]
24 July 21 Sydney Roosters Away Allianz Stadium, Sydney
31 July 22 Parramatta Eels Away CommBank Stadium, Sydney
7 August 23[v] Brisbane Broncos Home AAMI Park, Melbourne
14 August 24[v] Penrith Panthers Away CommBank Stadium, Sydney
22 August 25 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Home AAMI Park, Melbourne
29 August 26 Sydney Roosters Home AAMI Park, Melbourne
4 September 27 Brisbane Broncos Away Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Fixture notes:
  1. ^ Multicultural Round
  2. ^ ANZAC Round
  3. ^ Magic Round
  4. ^ Women in League Round
  5. ^ a b Indigenous Round

Ladder

[edit]
Main article: 2025 NRL season
Pos Team
 Pld W D L B PF PA PD Pts Qualification
1 Canberra Raiders (Q) 18 15 0 3 2 522 388 +134 34 Advance to finals series
2 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 17 13 0 4 3 366 270 +96 32
3 Melbourne Storm 17 12 0 5 3 533 315 +218 30
4 New Zealand Warriors 17 12 0 5 3 375 339 +36 30
5 Brisbane Broncos 17 10 0 7 3 446 366 +80 26
6 Penrith Panthers 17 9 1 7 3 384 339 +45 25
7 Manly Warringah Sea Eagles 17 9 0 8 3 398 338 +60 24
8 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 18 10 0 8 2 421 400 +21 24
9 Dolphins 18 9 0 9 2 533 364 +169 22
10 Sydney Roosters 17 8 0 9 3 421 413 +8 22
11 St. George Illawarra Dragons 17 6 0 11 3 372 430 −58 18
12 Wests Tigers 18 7 0 11 2 355 456 −101 18
13 North Queensland Cowboys 18 6 1 11 2 368 531 −163 17
14 Newcastle Knights 18 6 0 12 2 266 356 −90 16
15 South Sydney Rabbitohs 18 6 0 12 2 315 464 −149 16
16 Parramatta Eels 17 5 0 12 3 313 462 −149 16
17 Gold Coast Titans 17 4 0 13 3 346 503 −157 14
Updated to match(es) played on 20 July 2025. Source: National Rugby League
(Q) Qualified for finals series

Coaching staff

[edit]

2025 squad

[edit]

List current as of 5 July 2025[62]

Further information: List of Melbourne Storm players
Cap Nat. Player name Position First Storm game Previous First Grade RL club[a]
160 Australia Cameron Munster FE, FB 2014 Australia Melbourne Storm
166 New Zealand Nelson Asofa-Solomona SR, PR 2015 Australia Melbourne Storm
181 Fiji Tui Kamikamica SR, PR 2017 Australia Melbourne Storm
184 New Zealand Jahrome Hughes FE, HB 2017 Australia North Queensland Cowboys
188 Australia Harry Grant HK 2018 Australia Melbourne Storm
193 Samoa Marion Seve WG 2019 Australia Melbourne Storm
194 Australia Ryan Papenhuyzen FB 2019 Australia Melbourne Storm
212 Australia Trent Loiero SR 2021 Australia Melbourne Storm
213 Samoa Dean Ieremia WG 2021 Australia Melbourne Storm
217 Papua New Guinea Xavier Coates WG 2022 Australia Brisbane Broncos
218 Australia Nick Meaney FB 2022 Australia Canterbury Bulldogs
219 Australia Josh King PR 2022 Australia Newcastle Knights
220 Australia Tyran Wishart FE, HK 2022 Australia Melbourne Storm
221 Australia Alec MacDonald LK 2022 Australia Melbourne Storm
222 Australia Grant Anderson CE 2022 Australia Melbourne Storm
225 New Zealand William Warbrick CE, WG 2023 Australia Melbourne Storm
226 Tonga Eliesa Katoa SR 2023 New Zealand New Zealand Warriors
227 Australia Bronson Garlick LK, SR 2023 Australia Melbourne Storm
228 Australia Kane Bradley WG, CE 2023 Australia North Queensland Cowboys
229 Australia Jonah Pezet HB 2023 Australia Melbourne Storm
231 Samoa Sualauvi Fa'alogo FB, WG 2023 Australia Melbourne Storm
232 Australia Jack Howarth SR 2023 Australia Melbourne Storm
233 France Joe Chan SR 2023 France Catalans Dragons
234 Australia Shawn Blore SR 2024 Australia Wests Tigers
235 Samoa Lazarus Vaalepu PR 2024 Australia Melbourne Storm
236 Australia Keagan Russell-Smith FE, HB 2024 Australia Melbourne Storm
237 Samoa Ativalu Lisati PR 2024 Australia Melbourne Storm
239 Samoa Stefano Utoikamanu PR 2025 Australia Wests Tigers
240 New Zealand Moses Leo CE, WG 2025 Australia Melbourne Storm
241 Australia Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown CE, WG 2025 Australia Melbourne Storm
– Australia Angus Hinchey SR Yet to debut Australia Melbourne Storm
– Australia Stanley Huen FE Yet to debut Australia Melbourne Storm
– New Zealand Josiah Pahulu PR Yet to debut Australia Gold Coast Titans
– Australia Gabriel Satrick HK Yet to debut Australia Melbourne Storm
– Australia Coby Williamson CE Yet to debut Australia Melbourne Storm

Player movements

[edit]

Source:[63][64]

Representative honours

[edit]
Further information: List of Melbourne Storm representatives

This table lists all players who have played a representative match in 2025.

  • (c) = Captain
  • (vc) = Vice-captain
Player NRL All Star match State of Origin 1[d] State of Origin 2[e] State of Origin 3 Internationals/Pacific Championships
Xavier Coates[78][77][79] — Queensland Queensland Queensland —
Harry Grant[78][77][79] — Queensland Queensland Queensland —
Trent Loiero[78][77][79] — Queensland Queensland Queensland —
Cameron Munster[78][77][79][80] — Queensland Queensland (c) Queensland (c) —
Stefano Utoikamanu[81][82][83] — — New South Wales New South Wales —
Will Warbrick[84] Māori — — — —

Additionally club coach Craig Bellamy and football manager Frank Ponissi were both part of the NSW State of Origin set up, with Bellamy appointed as an adviser to NSW coach Laurie Daley and Ponissi continuing in his role as team performance manager which he commenced in 2024.[85][86][87]

Five Melbourne Storm junior representative players were selected in the squads for the Under-19 State of Origin match between New South Wales and Queensland on 19 June at Sunshine Coast Stadium. Queensland selected Jai Bowden, Kobi Floro, Amaziah Murgha and Hayden Watson,[f] while New South Wales selected Cooper Clarke.[88][89] Of the five selected players, four would play in Queensland's 23–22 victory, with Amaziah Murgha listed as the Queensland reserve.[90][91]

Statistics

[edit]

This table contains playing statistics for all Melbourne Storm players to have played in the 2025 NRL season.

  • Players are added as they play their first game in the season.
  • Table updated as at round 20
  • Statistics sources:[92][93]
Further information: List of Melbourne Storm records
Name Appearances Tries Goals Field goals Points
Grant Anderson 16 10 0 0 40
Nelson Asofa-Solomona 10 3 0 0 12
Shawn Blore 17 1 0 0 4
Kane Bradley 3 4 0 0 16
Joe Chan 9 0 0 0 0
Xavier Coates 13 13 0 0 52
Sualauvi Fa'alogo 7 4 0 0 16
Bronson Garlick 9 2 0 0 8
Harry Grant 11 3 0 0 12
Jack Howarth 11 1 0 0 4
Jahrome Hughes 16 6 0 0 24
Tui Kamikamica 15 0 0 0 0
Eliesa Katoa 17 9 0 0 36
Josh King 17 3 0 0 12
Moses Leo 2 0 0 0 0
Ativalu Lisati 4 0 0 0 0
Trent Loiero 16 4 0 0 16
Alec MacDonald 12 0 0 0 0
Nick Meaney 13 7 22 0 72
Cameron Munster 15 2 0 0 8
Ryan Papenhuyzen 14 12 58 1 165
Jonah Pezet 2 0 1 0 2
Marion Seve 1 0 0 0 0
Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown 1 0 0 0 0
Stefano Utoikamanu 16 1 0 0 4
Lazarus Vaalepu 3 0 0 0 0
William Warbrick 2 1 0 0 4
Tyran Wishart 17 5 3 0 26
28 players used — 91 84 1/0 533

Scorers

[edit]

Most points in a game: 36[g]

  • Round 10 – Ryan Papenhuyzen (4 tries, 10 goals) vs Wests Tigers

Most tries in a game: 4

  • Round 10 – Ryan Papenhuyzen vs Wests Tigers

Winning games

[edit]

Highest score in a winning game: 64 points

  • Round 10 vs Wests Tigers

Lowest score in a winning game: 24 points

  • Round 8 vs South Sydney Rabbitohs

Greatest winning margin: 64 points

  • Round 10 vs Wests Tigers

Greatest number of games won consecutively: 6

  • Rounds 13–19

Losing games

[edit]

Highest score in a losing game: 26 points

  • Round 11 vs Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks

Lowest score in a losing game: 8 points

  • Round 4 vs St George Illawarra Dragons

Greatest losing margin: 20 points

  • Round 7 vs Dolphins

Greatest number of games lost consecutively: 1

Jerseys

[edit]
Club captain Harry Grant wearing the Storm's 2025 alternate jersey in round 20.

In November 2023, Melbourne Storm announced a new sponsorship and apparel partnership agreement with Irish sportswear company O'Neills.[94] In March 2025, major sponsor RedZed extended their partnership with the club until the end of the 2028 season, with their logo to remain on the club's jersey.[95]

Home

As part of the NRL's two year jersey cycle, the 2025 home jersey is the same as the 2024 version originally revealed in November 2023.[96] The jersey is navy blue with a purple yoke and sleeves. There are bright yellow lightning bolt designs on the side panels, and a revised Big V logo at the top of the rear of the jersey as a continuation of the Our Home, Victoria acknowledgment which began during the 2020 season to honour Storm's home state. This jersey will be worn with navy blue shorts and socks.

Away

As with the home jersey, the away jersey is the same as what was worn during the 2024 season. It is worn when the home jersey creates a clash with the opposition, and is a similar design to the home jersey, with white replacing the navy blue base colour. This jersey is worn with purple shorts, with white socks.

ANZAC Day

For the first time in club history a jersey designed to honour a single individual was unveiled on 16 April which was worn in Melbourne's ANZAC Day match against South Sydney. The design honoured Air Commodore Arthur Henry (Harry) Cobby a Melbourne-born aviator who served during both World Wars. The design features a flying formation, a purple and navy chevron and checkerboard pattern, together with the ANZAC Appeal logo and red poppy.[97]

Alternate

In the round 20 match against Manly, the team wore a jersey that mixed in design elements from past Melbourne Storm jerseys. A yellow collar, reminiscent of the 1998 and 1999 home jerseys, complete with white and yellow lightning bolt motifs formed a deep chevron similar to those worn by past Storm teams. The base of the jersey was navy blue, with a purple yoke inside the lightning bolt chevrons.[98]


Junior Representatives

[edit]

The club entered teams in the 2025 New South Wales Rugby League junior representative competitions with the following coaching staff:

  • Jersey Flegg Cup (Under-21s): Mark Russell (coach), Nate Myles (assistant)
  • S.G. Ball Cup (Under-19s): Matt Duffie (coach), Justin O'Neill (assistant)
  • Harold Matthews Cup (Under-17s): Tony Adam (coach)

The club's academy program had Tim Auremi as Pathways Operations Manager and Dean Benton as Pathways Performance Manager.[69]

The Under-19s squad finished the S.G. Ball Cup regular season in eighth position on the ladder to qualify for the finals for the fist time since returning to the competition. The team won five of their nine matches, with two of their defeats coming by just four points. In week one of the finals, the Storm defeated the fifth-placed Illawarra Steelers 36–16 in Wollongong to progress to the semi finals. In that match against minor premiers the Parramatta Eels, the team were unable to overcome player unavailability and other issues, fighting back in the second half from a 16–4 half time deficit to lose 24–12. The squad featured local Victorian players, members of the Storm Junior Academy and Sunshine Coast Academy programs.[99]

The Under-17s squad of Victorian junior rugby league players[100] was not as successful, unable to win a match to finish last of the 17 team in the Harold Matthews Cup competition. The highlight of the season was the team's hard-fought draw against the Penrith Panthers in round six.

Awards

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ 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
  2. ^ Gudgeon would later earn a NSW Cup contract from the South Sydney Rabbitohs.[66]
  3. ^ Lewis took up a coaching role at the Canberra Raiders.[67]
  4. ^ Stefano Utoikamanu was selected as a reserve for New South Wales.[76]
  5. ^ Jack Howarth was selected as a reserve for Queensland.[77]
  6. ^ While contracted to the Melbourne Storm academy, Watson plays for the Burleigh Bears.
  7. ^ New club record

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Read, Brent; Meyn, Travis; Carayannis, Michael (25 November 2024). "Every NRL club's train and trial players heading in to the 2025 pre-season". Code Sports. News Corporation Australia. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
  2. ^ "Dean Ieremia suffers achilles injury". melbournestorm.com.au. 16 January 2025. Retrieved 25 February 2025.
  3. ^ Pryde, Scott. "Re-signed Storm back suffers major training injury" (17 January 2025). Zero Tackle. Retrieved 25 February 2025.
  4. ^ "Storm confirm 2025 leadership group". melbournestorm.com.au. 9 February 2025. Archived from the original on 10 February 2025. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
  5. ^ Hooper, James (11 February 2025). "Christian Welch's NRL future in doubt after latest blow as Storm consider $600k move". foxsports.com.au. News Corporation Australia. Retrieved 11 February 2025.
  6. ^ a b "Welch announces immediate retirement". melbournestorm.com.au. 12 February 2025. Retrieved 12 February 2025.
  7. ^ a b Talintyre, Ben (12 February 2025). "Storm star Christian Welch announces retirement as secret debilitating back injury revealed". news.com.au. News Corporation Australia. Retrieved 12 February 2025.
  8. ^ a b Brunsdon, Simon (12 February 2025). "Former Origin star Christian Welch retires on eve of NRL season after mystery Storm team photo absence". Nine's Wide World of Sport. Retrieved 12 February 2025.
  9. ^ Nuttall, Daniel; Gabor, Martin (15 February 2025). "SJ replacement shines as Warriors ring in new era; star turns back clock in rout — What we learned". foxsports.com.au. News Corporation Australia. Retrieved 25 February 2025.
  10. ^ Walter, Brad (23 February 2025). "Witzer Pre-Season Challenge: Cowboys, Knights tune up for Round 1 with wins". NRL.com. Retrieved 25 February 2025.
  11. ^ "Cowboys run riot as big-name stars dismantle Storm amid teen's scary incident: What we learned". foxsports.com.au. News Corporation Australia. 24 February 2025. Retrieved 25 February 2025.
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  13. ^ "As it happened: Storm go 23 straight in Round 1 games". NRL.com. 9 March 2025. Retrieved 10 March 2025.
  14. ^ Tiernan, Eamonn (9 March 2025). "Historic half sees red-hot Storm extend record in horror start to Ryles era: What we learned". foxsports.com.au. News Corporation Australia. Retrieved 10 March 2025.
  15. ^ "Josh King Extends Storm Contract". melbournestorm.com.au. 13 March 2025. Retrieved 13 March 2025.
  16. ^ Naghten, Tom (13 March 2025). "Storm lock away important middle forward with new deal". The Sporting News. Retrieved 13 March 2025.
  17. ^ Tiernan, Eamonn; McDonald, Darcie (21 March 2025). "Storm's ominous statement; young gun answers Cleary question amid carnage — Big Hits". foxsports.com.au. News Corporation Australia. Retrieved 28 March 2025.
  18. ^ Healy, Jon (20 March 2025). "Melbourne Storm beat Penrith Panthers after Nathan Cleary concussed in NRL grand final rematch". abc.net.au. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 28 March 2025.
  19. ^ Zalunardo, Paul (20 March 2025). "Erratic Storm survive late surge from Cleary-less Panthers". WA Today. Nine Media. Retrieved 28 March 2025.
  20. ^ Doyle, Michael (29 March 2025). "FULL-TIME: St George Illawarra Dragons 14 def. Melbourne Storm 8". abc.net.au. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 30 March 2025.
  21. ^ Clarke, George (29 March 2025). "Liddle stands tall as Dragons seal shock win over Storm". AAP News. Australian Associated Press. Retrieved 30 March 2025.
  22. ^ Harper, Lachlan (29 March 2025). "Shane Flanagan's brilliant coaching record against Storm continues as Dragons pull off upset". Nine's Wide World of Sport. Nine Media. Retrieved 30 March 2025.
  23. ^ Quinlan, Nicholas (19 April 2025). "Defiant Dolphins flip the script on the Storm in their 'greatest victory'". sen.com.au. Sports Entertainment Network. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  24. ^ Chalk, Ethan Lee (22 April 2025). "Maroons receive massive boost as Grant dodges long-term injury". Zero Tackle. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  25. ^ Harper, Lachlan (22 April 2025). "Ryan Papenhuyzen avoids $1500 fine after Bunker's late report decision". Nine's Wide World of Sport. Nine Media. Archived from the original on 23 April 2025. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  26. ^ Gabor, Martin (22 April 2025). "Manly enforcer loses at judiciary after breaking rival's leg, Storm star found not guilty in two mins". foxsports.com.au. News Corporation Australia. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  27. ^ "NRL wrap: Latrell Mitchell facing ban as Rabbitohs fall to Storm, Knights woes continue against Warriors, Roosters smash Dragons". abc.net.au. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 25 April 2025. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
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