After a disappointing first-round finals exit last year, Melbourne will have a different feel to them in 2023, with some experienced players moving on and some injury concerns over one of their biggest stars.
Craig Bellamy will lead the Storm as head coach - perhaps for the final time - while the likes of Tariq Sims and Eliesa Katoa have joined from rival clubs.
Cameron Munster has secured his long-term future and will remain at Melbourne, and he will be looking to steer the ship alongside the likes of Jahrome Hughes and Harry Grant, as the club seek their fifth legal premiership.
The Sporting News previews the Storm season below - including their best 17, the key to their success and predicted finish for 2023.
STORM TOP 30 SQUAD | STORM OFF-CONTRACT LIST | STORM ROUND 1 PREDICTED TEAM
BEST 17
| POSITION | PLAYER |
|---|---|
| 1 | Ryan Papenhuyzen |
| 2 | Nick Meaney |
| 3 | Justin Olam |
| 4 | Reimis Smith |
| 5 | Xavier Coates |
| 6 | Cameron Munster |
| 7 | Jahrome Hughes |
| 8 | Christian Welch |
| 9 | Harry Grant |
| 10 | Nelson Asofa-Solomona |
| 11 | Tariq Sims |
| 12 | Trent Loiero |
| 13 | Josh King |
| 14 | Tyran Wishart |
| 15 | Tui Kamikamica |
| 16 | Tepai Moeroa |
| 17 | Eliesa Katoa |
Note: Ryan Papenhuyzen will miss the start of the season due to injury.
SQUAD CHANGES
GAINS:
Tariq Sims, Eliesa Katoa, Joe Chan, Aaron Pene
LOSSES:
Jesse Bromwich, Kenny Bromwich, Felise Kaufusi, Brandon Smith, Cooper Johns
DEPTH RATING
It's well-publicised that Melbourne have lost some key players heading into the season, with four members from their starting forward pack moving on to other clubs.
Craig Bellamy has had a hard time replacing the quality and experience of the forwards they have lost. Tariq Sims has been a massive under-performer for the Dragons in recent seasons, while Eliesa Katoa and Aaron Pene have been used sporadically in the NRL.
A lot of the weight is going to fall onto the shoulders of Christian Welch and Nelson Asofa-Solomona, while players such as Trent Loiero and Alec MacDonald will need to stand up during the season and fully establish themselves as first graders.
The backline looks strong for the Storm however, with their front-line halves having more than adequate back-up options in the likes of Jayden Nikorima, Jonah Pezet and Tyran Wishart.
Out wide, the rep stars in the back-five are well-supported by players like Dean Ieremia, Will Warbick, Marion Seve, Jack Howarth and George Jennings - many of whom have NRL experience at the club.
There is a major question mark over the fitness of Ryan Papenhuyzen, who has gone to the US for rehab on the serious knee injury he suffered in 2022 and is no certainty to return to his best.
STRENGTHS: Outside backs/halves
WEAKNESSES: Forwards
RATING: 5/10
The departures of some key players in the forward pack hasn't been replaced, especially on the edge, but the Storm's backline is going to produce plenty of points once again.
THE KEY
In a team littered with big-name representative players, the key for Melbourne this year is going to be Nelson Asofa-Solomona.
The 26-year-old has been a fantastic player for the Storm during his 164-game career to date, but this season is going to be very different for the Kiwi enforcer.
After playing alongside more experienced players such as the Bromwich brothers and Felise Kaufusi throughout his tenure, Asofa-Solomona will now become the leader of the forward pack and this comes with plenty of added responsibility.
No longer can Asofa-Solomona be inconsistent or hot-headed. He needs to become a consistent performer week-in and week-out, churning out big numbers and striking fear into the opposition.
Melbourne simply don't have the depth for Asofa-Solomona to fade in and out of games or only perform well every second week - this is the season where the New Zealand international needs to cement himself as one the NRL's elite big men.
ROOKIE WATCH
One of the most talked about young players in rugby league, Jonah Pezet is a star in waiting at Melbourne and the club are well aware of it.
The teenage playmaker was a standout in the U19s State of Origin last year, and has recently inked an extension with the Storm that will keep him on deck long-term.
Pezet has received high praise from the likes of Andrew Johns, and while he may have to bide his time before earning a permanent spot in the top grade, there is a strong chance we see him pop up during 2023.
The 19-year-old played 10 games of QLD Cup last year, setting up five tries and kicking 12 goals, and will likely continue to ply his trade in that competition when the season commences.
DANGER PERIOD
Rounds 20-24: Roosters [A], Knights [A], Eels [H], Panthers [A], Raiders [H]
While you can never write off a Storm outfit that is coached by Craig Bellamy and possesses a plethora of big stars, this run towards the back-end of the season will be crucial to where they finish on the ladder.
Starting with a tough away trip against the Roosters in Round 20, Melbourne will get a short relief when they take on a Newcastle side that are expected to struggle a week later.
But the following three rounds are nasty - Parramatta at home won't be an easy task, before having to travel away to the reigning premiers at Penrith in Round 23.
To finish their toughest stretch of the year, the Storm will take on their bogey side the Raiders at AAMI Park, before finishing the campaign with some easier assignments.
PREDICTED FINISH: 5th
Melbourne are littered with representative players in key positions, but they have lost a wealth of quality and experience in their forward pack which they simply haven't replaced.
There are also question marks over fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen, who is no certainty to start the season and may not be the same player he was prior to a debilitating knee injury he suffered in 2022.
Cameron Munster, Jahrome Hughes and Harry Grant will facilitate plenty of points, but this doesn't appear to be a top-four or premiership season for the Storm just based on their forward pack and their overall depth.
