2002 Melbourne Storm season explained

Year:	2002
Team Colour:	6C0094
Font Colour:	ffd700
League:	NRL
League Rank:	10th
League Wins:	9
League Draws:	1
League Losses:	14
Points For:	556
Points Against:	586
Ceo Title:	Executive Director
Ceo:	John Ribot
Coach Title:	Coach
Captain:	Rodney Howe (11 Games) Robbie Kearns (8 Games) Stephen Kearney (5 Games)
Avg Attendance:	9,088
High Attendance:	12,044 (Round 1)
Top Tries:	Aaron Moule (17)
Top Goals:	Matt Orford (62)
Top Points:	Matt Orford (156)
List:	yes
List Link:	List of Melbourne Storm seasons

The 2002 Melbourne Storm season was the 5th in the club's history. They competed in the NRL's 2002 Telstra Premiership and finished the regular season in 10th place making it their lowest finishing position until 2010, when it was sentenced to finish that season last due to gross salary cap breaches.^[1], it is also the most recent time that the Storm missed the finals due to not winning enough games.^[2] It was Mark Murray's final season as coach of the club.^[3]

In 2002 the Storm returned to Olympic Park. The club secured no big name player signings for the season as it kept under the NRL imposed salary cap.

In an effort to reignite its floundering success the return to its smaller home ground was seen by players and supporters as a positive move. The club though continued to deliver hot and cold performances as the season progressed, leaving them on the fringe of the Top 8 (from only 15 competitors).

The club suffered internal turmoil during the season, particularly when the captaincy was removed from Robbie Kearns and given to Rodney Howe. The Storm was also troubled over the renegotiation of club stalwart Richard Swain's contract - he reluctantly signed for Brisbane for 2003 when the Storm (citing salary cap issues) failed to make him an offer.

The Storm's season again came down to needing to win its final round game to reach the semi-finals. In a repeat of 2001, Melbourne appeared to lack enthusiasm when it mattered and again lost a crucial match.^[4]

Season Summary

• Pre season – Melbourne officials request to play most of their games at 3pm on Saturday afternoons, with matches broadcast by Nine Melbourne.
• 16 February – Melbourne win a scrappy preseason trial match against Wests Tigers 30–18 at Gladstone, with triallist Alf Duncan scoring two tries.
• 13 March – Melbourne is fined $90,000 for a breach of the 2001 NRL salary cap, with club officials vowing to fight the penalty.^[5]
• Round 1 – Storm defeat Canberra Raiders 16-12 in their return to Olympic Park, a disallowed try for obstruction causing consternation for Raiders' coach Matt Elliott.
• Round 3 – Without regular Matt Orford, Melbourne thrash North Queensland Cowboys 38-10 with Scott Hill dangerous in attack to ease the pressure on debutant Marty Turner.
• Round 4 – Melbourne stage a dramatic comeback to end Parramatta Eels 14-game undefeated run at Parramatta Stadium. Storm fight back from a 30-10 half time deficit to win 32-30. The winning try was scored almost on full time as Danny Williams offloaded to Marcus Bai for the er to score in the corner.
• 9 April – Michael Russo and Marty Turner are involved in a serious car accident near Geelong, returning from a surfing trip. Turner suffers fractured ribs, a ruptured spleen, severe concussion, and cuts and bruises. Russo escapes with an injured elbow and is able to return to play in Round 6.^{[6] [7]}
• Round 6 – Michael Russo scores a late try to seal a 12-4 win over St George Illawarra Dragons only days after the car accident involving him and Marty Turner. Melbourne were forced to overcome more injuries with third-string Cameron Smith injured during the game.
• Round 7 – New Zealand Warriors claim the Michael Moore Trophy for the first time, beating Melbourne 20-10.
• 9 May – The NRL board confirms Melbourne's salary cap fine of $90,000 will stand.
• Round 10 – Trailing 20-22 with seconds remaining, referee Paul Simpkins awards a penalty against Parramatta Eels for stripping the ball from Willie Leyshon, but Matt Orford missed a late penalty goal, costing Melbourne a point.
• 24 May – Storm CEO Chris Johns admits spreading rumours that the club will relocate to Brisbane in order to extract further funding from the Victorian Government.
• Round 11 – Melbourne slump to a fifth straight defeat, the worst consecutive streak in club history.
• 31 May – Head coach Mark Murray makes the decision to dump captain Robbie Kearns, replacing him with Rodney Howe. Senior Melbourne players condemn the decision with Scott Hill suggesting that "senior players should have been consulted." Kearns later calls out the club for disloyalty at the decision to strip him of the captaincy.
• Round 13 – With new captain Rodney Howe carried off with severe concussion in the first 10 minutes, Melbourne fall to their sixth straight defeat. Coach Mark Murray at odds with referee Mark Oaten's 15-6 penalty count and a number of crucial decisions during the game.
• Round 14 – forward Shane Walker is sent off for a high swinging arm tackle that knocks out St George Illawarra prop forward Jason Ryles. Melbourne gain their first competition point since April, holding out for a 30-all draw.
• 16 June – Reports emerge that Melbourne are having difficulty in retaining Richard Swain.^[5]
• Round 15 – Melbourne win their first game in two months, thrashing South Sydney Rabbitohs 44-6 in the first match between the teams since 1999.
• 30 June – Negotiations break down between Melbourne and Richard Swain, with the now free to entertain offers from rival clubs.
• 23 July – Melbourne announce that Richard Swain will not be at the club in 2003 after withdrawing any contract offer. Storm announce the signing of Brisbane Broncos rookie Robert Tanielu for 2003, and re-signings of Junior Langi, Kirk Reynoldson, and Cameron Smith.
• 24 July – St Gregory's College schoolboys football star Ryan Hoffman signs with the Storm for two years.
• 25 July – Canberra Raiders confirm they have signed Storm forward Matt Rua for 2003.
• Round 20 – Due to a jersey clash, Melbourne wear their 1999-2000 gold clash jersey against Penrith Panthers, but are issued with a $3,000 breach notice as the jerseys were missing the Telstra Premiership logos.
• 1 August – Brisbane Broncos sign Richard Swain to a one-year contract for 2003.
• Round 26 – Needing a win to sneak into the NRL finals, Melbourne fall short against Canberra Raiders for the second consecutive year in the final round of the season.
• 11 September – Mark Murray is sacked as Melbourne coach after missing the finals for the second consecutive season.
• 12 September – Scott Hill claims former coach Mark Murray treated players like school children.^[5]
• 18 September – Brisbane Broncos performance director Craig Bellamy is appointed new head coach of Melbourne, signing a two-year contract.
• 4 October – Chris Johns resigns as Melbourne Storm CEO to return to Queensland, leaving the club after more than five years in Melbourne.

Milestone games

Round	Player	Milestone
Round 1		Storm debut
Round 1		Storm debut
Round 1		NRL debut
Round 1		Storm debut
Round 2		200th game
Round 2		NRL debut
Round 3	Danny Williams	150th game
Round 3		NRL debut
Round 4		100th game
Round 5	Cameron Smith	NRL debut
Round 7	Kirk Reynoldson	NRL debut
Round 8	Stephen Kearney	200th game
Round 11	Keith Mason	Storm debut
Round 13	Aaron Moule	100th game
Round 25	Matt Rua	100th game

Jerseys

Melbourne's jerseys were again manufactured by Fila and unchanged from the designs worn in 2001. The player names on the backs of jerseys were dropped in favour of front of jersey advertiser Adecco. The quirk of the season came in both round 7 against the New Zealand Warriors and round 20 against Penrith Panthers as due to a jersey clashes, Melbourne wore the 1999-2000 gold jersey. However, the club was subsequently issued with a $3,000 breach notice after the match against Penrith, as the jerseys were missing the Telstra Premiership logos.

Fixtures

Pre season

Date		Opponent	Venue	Result			Tries	Goals	Field goals
16 February	Trial	Wests Tigers	Marley Brown Oval, Gladstone		30	18	A Duncan (2), K Mason, P Whatuira, S Bell, S Walker	M Turner (1), M Geyer (2)		^[8]
2 March	Trial	St George Illawarra Dragons	Eric Weissel Oval, Wagga Wagga		14	40	S Bell (2), P Robinson	M Turner (1)		^[9]

Regular season

Matches

Date		Opponent	Venue	Result			Tries	Goals	Field goals
16 March	1		Olympic Park, Melbourne		16	12	M Bai, M Sargent	M Orford 4/4		^[10]
23 March	2		Toyota Park, Sydney		24	30	S Bell (2), R Kearns, M Orford	M Orford 4/4		^[11]
30 March	3		Olympic Park, Melbourne		38	10	S Bell (2), M Bai, M Geyer, A Moule, H Perenara, M Rua, D Williams	M Turner 3/8		^[12]
6 April	4		Parramatta Stadium, Sydney		32	30	S Kearney (2), M Bai, S Hill, A Moule, R Swain	M Turner 4/6		^[13]
13 April	5		Olympic Park, Melbourne		6	22	I Sibbit	R Swain 1/1		^[14]
20 April	6		Olympic Park, Melbourne		12	4	J Langi, M Russo	R Swain 2/2, C Smith 0/1		^[15]
27 April	7		Ericsson Stadium, Auckland		10	20	S Hill, A Moule	R Swain 1/2		^[16]
4 May	8		Olympic Park, Melbourne		28	36	M Orford (2), S Kearney, A Moule, K Reynoldson	R Swain 4/5		^[17]
11 May	9		Aussie Stadium, Sydney		6	34	J Langi	R Swain 1/1		^[18]
18 May	10		Olympic Park, Melbourne		20	22	W Leyshon (2), A Moule, K Reynoldson	R Swain 2/4, M Orford 0/2		^[19]
25 May	11		Olympic Park, Melbourne		12	28	M Orford, R Ross	M Orford 2/2		^[20]
1 June	12	Bye
8 June	13		EnergyAustralia Stadium, Newcastle		16	37	A Moule, R Ross	M Orford 4/4		^[21]
15 June	14		WIN Stadium, Wollongong		30	30	M Orford (2), W Leyshon, R Swain, D Williams	M Orford 5/6		^[22]
22 June	15		Olympic Park, Melbourne		44	6	A Moule (2), R Kearns, J Langi, H Perenara, R Ross, M Russo	M Orford 8/9		^[23]
29 June	16		Brookvale Oval, Sydney		22	36	J Langi, P Robinson, R Ross, R Swain	M Orford 3/4		^[24]
6 July	17		Olympic Park, Melbourne		26	20	W Leyshon (2), S Bell, M Geyer, R Kearns	M Orford 3/5		^[25]
13 July	18		Olympic Park, Melbourne		48	10	M Bai (2), A Moule (2), S Kearney, W Leyshon, M Orford, P Robinson, S Tadulala	M Orford 5/8, W Leyshon 1/1		^[26]
20 July	19	Bye
27 July	20		Penrith Park, Sydney		16	36	A Moule, R Ross, S Tadulala	M Orford 2/3		^[27]
3 August	21		Olympic Park, Melbourne		20	48	M Bai, A Moule, R Ross, R Swain	M Orford 2/4		^[28]
10 August	22		Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville		40	30	S Bell (2), S Kearney, A Moule, M Orford, I Sibbit, R Swain	M Orford 6/8		^[29]
17 August	23		Olympic Park, Melbourne		42	10	A Moule (3), S Bell (2), S Hill, F Moala	M Orford 6/6, R Swain 1/1		^[30]
24 August	24		Leichhardt Oval, Sydney		16	26	M Bai, S Bell, S Hill	M Orford 2/3		^[31]
30 August	25		Sydney Showground, Sydney		16	24	M Geyer, I Sibbit	M Orford 4/4		^[32]
7 September	26		Bruce Stadium, Canberra		16	25	M Bai (2), A Moule	M Orford 2/3		^[33]

Source:^[34]

Ladder

See main article: 2002 NRL season.

2002 Coaching Staff

• Head coach: Mark Murray
• Assistant coach: Anthony Griffin
• Football Manager: Greg Brentnall
• Physical Preparation Coach: Dave Darbyshire
• Physiotherapist: Greg Gibson
• Sports Trainer: Troy Thompson
• Recruitment manager: Peter O'Sullivan

2002 squad

List current as of 11 August 2021^{[35] [36]}

width=5%	Cap	width=1%	Nat.	width=30%	Player name	width=15%	Position	width=10%	First Storm Game	width=35%	Previous First Grade RL club
1		Robbie Ross	FB	1998	Hunter Mariners
3		Aaron Moule	WG, CE	1998	South Queensland Crushers
5		Marcus Bai	WG	1998	Gold Coast Chargers
6		Scott Hill	FE	1998	Hunter Mariners
8		Rodney Howe	PR	1998	Perth Reds
9		Danny Williams	LK, SR, HK	1998	North Sydney Bears
10		Robbie Kearns	PR	1998	Perth Reds
15		Richard Swain	HK	1998	Hunter Mariners
18		Matt Geyer	WG	1998	Perth Reds
26		Matt Rua	PR, SR	1998	Melbourne Storm
28		Stephen Kearney	SR	1999	New Zealand Warriors
34		Fifita Moala	WG	2000	Melbourne Storm
35		Brook Martin	WG	2000	Melbourne Storm
37		Glen Turner	SR	2000	Melbourne Storm
38		Peter Robinson	SR	2000	Melbourne Storm
42		Junior Langi	CE	2001	St George Illawarra Dragons
43		Matt Orford	HB	2001	Northern Eagles
44		Steven Bell	CE	2001	Melbourne Storm
46		Henry Perenara	LK	2001	Auckland Warriors
48		Semi Tadulala	WG	2001	Melbourne Storm
49		Ian Sibbit	SR	2002	Warrington Wolves
50		Shane Walker	PR	2002	Wests Tigers
51		Mitchell Sargent	PR	2002	Melbourne Storm
52		William Leyshon	LK	2002	Northern Eagles
53		Michael Russo	SR	2002	Melbourne Storm
54		Marty Turner	HB	2002	Melbourne Storm
55		Cameron Smith	HK	2002	Melbourne Storm
56		Kirk Reynoldson	SR	2002	Melbourne Storm
57		Keith Mason	PR	2002	Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
–		Alf Duncan	WG	Yet to Debut	Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
–		Sam Fillery	SR	Yet to Debut	Melbourne Storm
–		Dallas Johnson	LK	Yet to Debut	Melbourne Storm
–		Nick Walker	PR	Yet to Debut	Melbourne Storm

Player movements

Losses

• Russell Bawden to London Broncos
• Tasesa Lavea to Northern Eagles
• Brett O'Farrell to Released
• Brenton Pomery to Released
• Ben Roarty to Penrith Panthers
• Paul Sheedy to New South Wales Waratahs (rugby)
• Brad Watts to South Sydney Rabbitohs
• Paul Whatuira to Penrith Panthers

Gains

• Alf Duncan from Uncontracted
• William Leyshon from Northern Eagles
• Keith Mason from Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
• Mitchell Sargent from Parramatta Eels
• Ian Sibbit from Warrington Wolves
• Shane Walker from Wests Tigers

Representative honours

This table lists all players who have played a representative match in 2002.

Player					Midseason Test	October Tests
	City	–	–	–	–	–
	Country	–	New South Wales	New South Wales	Australia	Australia
	–	–	–	–	–	New Zealand
	City (c)	–	–	–	–	–
	–	–	–	–	–	Wales
	–	–	–	–	–	New Zealand

Statistics

This table contains playing statistics for all Melbourne Storm players to have played in the 2002 NRL season.

• Statistics sources:^{[37] [38]}

Name	Appearances	Tries	Goals	Field goals	Points
	24	9	0	0	36
	15	10	0	0	40
	19	3	0	0	12
	21	4	0	0	16
	14	0	0	0	0
	23	5	0	0	20
	13	3	0	0	12
	22	4	0	0	16
	22	6	1	0	26
	1	0	0	0	0
	6	1	0	0	4
	21	17	0	0	68
	19	8	62	0	156
	12	2	0	0	8
	17	2	0	0	8
	17	2	0	0	8
	11	6	0	0	24
	17	1	0	0	4
	9	2	0	0	8
	12	1	0	0	4
	20	3	0	0	12
	2	0	0	0	0
	24	5	12	0	44
	3	2	0	0	8
	2	0	7	0	14
	18	0	0	0	0
	23	2	0	0	8
27 players used	—	98	82	0	556

Scorers

Most points in a game: 18 points

• Round 14 - Matt Orford (2 tries, 5 goals) vs St George Illawarra Dragons

Most tries in a game: 3

• Round 20 - Aaron Moule vs Penrith Panthers

Winning games

Highest score in a winning game: 48 points

• Round 18 vs Sydney Roosters

Lowest score in a winning game: 12 points

• Round 6 vs St George Illawarra Dragons

Greatest winning margin: 38 points

• Round 15 vs South Sydney Rabbitohs
• Round 18 vs Sydney Roosters

Greatest number of games won consecutively: 2

• Round 3 - Round 4
• Round 17 - Round 18
• Round 22 - Round 23

Losing games

Highest score in a losing game: 28 points

• Round 8 vs Newcastle Knights

Lowest score in a losing game: 6 points

• Round 9 vs Sydney Roosters

Greatest losing margin: 28 points

• Round 9 vs Sydney Roosters
• Round 21 vs Brisbane Broncos

Greatest number of games lost consecutively: 6

• Round 7 - Round 13

Feeder Team

Melbourne Storm reserve players again travelled to Brisbane each week to play with Queensland Cup team Norths Devils. Terry Matterson took over the coaching role with Mark Murray and Anthony Griffin making the move to Melbourne in 2001.^[39] Making the finals for the fifth straight season, Norths Devils finished fifth, and won through to the preliminary final of the 2002 Queensland Cup. Melbourne Storm rookie Cameron Smith won the Devils Player of the Year Award.

See main article: 2002 Queensland Cup.

Awards and honours

Melbourne Storm Awards Night

• Melbourne Storm Player of the Year: Rodney Howe^[40]
  • • Melbourne Storm Rookie of the year: Michael Russo Melbourne Storm Clubman of the Year: Matt Geyer Mick Moore Chairman's Award: Chris Johns

Notes and References

1. Stuart Honeysett and Brent Read (23 April 2010) Shocking end to the Melbourne Storm era The Australian
2. Web site: How the Swans and Storm have thrived in hostile territory. The Roar. 26 September 2016.
3. http://stats.rleague.com/rl/teams/melbourne/melbourne2002_sc.html{{Dead link|date=May 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
4. Web site: Melbourne Storm History . melbournestorm.com.au . . 7 March 2018.
5. Book: Middleton . David . Rugby League 2003 . 2003 . Harper Sports . Sydney . 0732277531.
6. Web site: Storm pair hurt as truck hits car . theage.com.au . 10 April 2002 . Nine Media . 11 August 2021.
7. Web site: Car crash kid turns try hero . smh.com.au . 21 April 2002 . Nine Media . 11 August 2021.
8. News: Vernon . Ben . Lucky escape for Storm . Herald-Sun . Nationwide News Pty Ltd . 17 February 2002 . Melbourne, Victoria . 128.
9. News: Vernon . Ben . DRAGONS 40 - STORM 14 - 2002 COUNTRY FESTIVAL . . Nationwide News Pty Ltd . 3 March 2002 . Sydney, New South Wales . 52.
10. Web site: NRL 2002 - Round 1. 11 August 2021.
11. Web site: NRL 2002 - Round 2. 11 August 2021.
12. Web site: NRL 2002 - Round 3. 11 August 2021.
13. Web site: NRL 2002 - Round 4. 11 August 2021.
14. Web site: NRL 2002 - Round 5. 11 August 2021.
15. Web site: NRL 2002 - Round 6. 11 August 2021.
16. Web site: NRL 2002 - Round 7. 11 August 2021.
17. Web site: NRL 2002 - Round 8. 11 August 2021.
18. Web site: NRL 2002 - Round 9. 11 August 2021.
19. Web site: NRL 2002 - Round 10. 11 August 2021.
20. Web site: NRL 2002 - Round 11. 11 August 2021.
21. Web site: NRL 2002 - Round 13. 11 August 2021.
22. Web site: NRL 2002 - Round 14. 11 August 2021.
23. Web site: NRL 2002 - Round 15. 11 August 2021.
24. Web site: NRL 2002 - Round 16. 11 August 2021.
25. Web site: NRL 2002 - Round 17. 10 August 2021.
26. Web site: NRL 2002 - Round 18. 11 August 2021.
27. Web site: NRL 2002 - Round 20. 11 August 2021.
28. Web site: NRL 2002 - Round 21. 11 August 2021.
29. Web site: NRL 2002 - Round 22. 11 August 2021.
30. Web site: NRL 2002 - Round 23. 11 August 2021.
31. Web site: NRL 2002 - Round 24. 11 August 2021.
32. Web site: NRL 2002 - Round 25. 11 August 2021.
33. Web site: NRL 2002 - Round 26. 11 August 2021.
34. Web site: Rugby League Tables - Melbourne. 11 August 2021.
35. Web site: Storm Team List (2002) . melbournestorm.com.au . 11 August 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20020601233407/http://www.melbournestorm.com.au/p_profile.htm . 1 June 2002.
36. Web site: STORM PRE-SEASON TRAINING SQUAD SET . melbournestorm.com.au . 11 August 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20011123071013/http://www.melbournestorm.com.au/mn_news.asp?Action=ViewNews&ItemID=709 . 23 November 2001.
37. Web site: 2002 Melbourne Point Scorers. afltables.com. 11 August 2021.
38. Web site: Melbourne Storm - NRL 2002. rugbyleagueproject.org. 11 August 2021.
39. Book: 2002 Melbourne Storm Info Guide . Melbourne Storm.
40. Web site: NRL Honour Board . melbournestorm.com.au . . 10 February 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130928161940/http://www.melbournestorm.com.au/default.aspx?s=nrl-honour-board . 28 September 2013 .