2007 Melbourne Storm season explained

Year:2007
Team Colour:
  1. 6C0094
Font Colour:
  1. ffd700
League:NRL
League Rank:1st
League Wins:21
League Draws:0
League Losses:3
Points For:627
Points Against:277
Ceo Title:CEO
Coach Title:Coach
Captain:Cameron Smith (14 Games)
Cooper Cronk (5 Games)
Matt Geyer (5 Games)
Matt King (2 Games)
Dallas Johnson (1 Game)
Avg Attendance:11,711
High Attendance:14,066 (Round 9)
Top Tries:Israel Folau (21)
Top Goals:Cameron Smith (88)
Top Points:Cameron Smith (192)
List:yes
List Link:Melbourne Storm#Season summaries

The 2007 Melbourne Storm season was the 10th in the club's history. They competed for NRL's 2007 Telstra Premiership, finishing the season in 1st place to claim the minor premiership before going on to reach the 2007 NRL grand final, their third. In the grand final the Storm defeated the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles to claim their second premiership. However two years after the event Melbourne were stripped of their 2007 titles after being found guilty of long-term salary cap breaches.

The most successful season in the club's history as the team managed 21 wins on their way to winning the NRL Grand Final. Storm's success was built on the back of incredibly strong defence. Craig Bellamy's men conceded just 11.5 points per game, the best defensive season in the club's history. The year began with seven straight wins and by Round 12 Melbourne had moved into first place, where they remained for the rest of the season. Storm earned redemption from the 2006 Grand Final loss by beating the Broncos 40–0 in the Qualifying final. They faced Manly in the decider, running away with a 34–8 victory as Greg Inglis scored a double on the night to be awarded the Clive Churchill Medal. Cameron Smith increased his standing as the best player in the game by being awarded the Golden Boot after being named the International Player of the Year while Israel Folau set an NRL rookie record, scoring 21 tries for the season.[1]

Season Summary

Milestone games

Round Player Milestone
Round 1Storm debut
Round 1NRL debut
Round 1NRL debut
Round 2NRL debut
Round 250th game
Round 3100th game
Round 4NRL debut
Round 5Storm debut
Round 750th game
Round 10NRL debut
Round 10Sika ManuNRL debut
Round 10Scott AndersonNRL debut
Round 12Garret Crossman50th game
Round 13Clint NewtonStorm debut
Round 14Matt Geyer100th NRL try
Round 18Steve Turner50th game
Round 19Ryan Hoffman100th game
Round 19Dallas Johnson100th game
Round 21Billy Slater100th game
Round 21Ben Cross50th game
Round 25Greg Inglis50th game

Jerseys

Continuing with apparel manufacturer Reebok, the designs of Melbourne's home and clash jerseys were unchanged from 2006.

Fixtures

Pre Season

DateOpponentVenueResultTries Goals Field goals
17 FebruaryTrial Gold Coast TitansBCU International Stadium, Coffs Harbour326W Chambers (2), D Johnson, A Quinn, S Tagataese, B SlaterC Smith (4)[8] [9] [10]
24 FebruaryTrial Manly Warringah Sea EaglesQuad Park, Sunshine Coast2030A Kaufusi, B White, L Samoa, I DonnellyL Foran, L Samoa[11] [12]
3 MarchTrial Brisbane BroncosMC Labour Park, Melbourne460C Cronk (2), R Hoffman, M King, M Geyer, J Lima, B Slater, G InglisC Smith (6), J Smith[13]

Regular season

Matches

Source:[14]

DateOpponentVenueResultTries Goals Field goals
16 March1Olympic Park, Melbourne1816I Folau, R Hoffman, J SmithC Smith 3/3[15]
24 March2Canberra Stadium, Canberra3216I Folau (2), B White (2), M Geyer, B SlaterC Smith 4/6[16]
1 April3Olympic Park, Melbourne3012I Folau (2), B Slater (2), R Hoffman, M KingC Smith 3/6[17]
7 April4EnergyAustralia Stadium, Newcastle2212I Folau (2), M King, A QuinnC Smith 3/4[18]
14 April5OKI Jubilee Stadium, Sydney2410S Turner (2), I Folau, M King, A QuinnC Smith 1/4, S Turner 1/1[19]
21 April6Olympic Park, Melbourne3020C Cronk (2), C Smith (2), R HoffmanC Smith 5/6[20]
27 April7Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane2818B Slater (2), I Folau, R Hoffman, S TurnerC Smith 4/6[21]
5 May8Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford1230D Johnson, M KingC Smith 2/2[22]
14 May9Olympic Park, Melbourne3814C Cronk (2), M King (2), I Folau, R HoffmanC Smith 7/7[23]
19 May10Olympic Park, Melbourne262W Chambers, I Folau, R Hoffman, J Lima, B SlaterS Turner 3/5[24]
26 May11Brookvale Oval, Sydney1213I Folau, M KingC Smith 2/2[25]
2 June12Olympic Park, Melbourne2610M Geyer, G Inglis, M King, S TurnerC Smith 5/5[26]
10 June13Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland42J SmithS Turner 0/1[27]
16 June14Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville5812G Inglis (2), M King (2), C Cronk, M Geyer, C Newton, J Smith, S Tagataese, S TurnerC Smith 9/10[28]
24 June15Olympic Park, Melbourne286S Turner (2), M Geyer, R Hoffman, M King, C NewtonC Smith 2/7[29]
30 June16Bye
7 July17Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford128I Folau, M KingC Smith 2/2[30]
16 July18Olympic Park, Melbourne440A Quinn (2), B Slater (2), S Turner (2), R Hoffman, M King, C NewtonC Smith 3/6, S Turner 1/3[31]
21 July19Olympic Park, Melbourne346G Inglis (2), I Folau, M Geyer, M King, S TurnerC Smith 5/6[32]
27 July20Aussie Stadium, Sydney1626J Aubusson, C Cronk, I FolauC Smith 2/3[33]
6 August21Toyota Park, Sydney1716I Folau, R Hoffman, M KingI Folau 2/3C Cronk[34]
12 August22Olympic Park, Melbourne146I Folau, M Geyer, G InglisC Smith 1/3[35]
17 August23Olympic Park, Melbourne1410B Slater, C SmithC Smith 3/3[36]
24 August24Telstra Stadium, Sydney386I Folau (3), M Geyer, J Lima, B SlaterC Smith 6/6, I Folau 1/1[37]
2 September25Olympic Park, Melbourne506M Crocker, C Cronk, I Folau, R Hoffman, G Inglis, M King, A Quinn, B Slater, S TurnerC Smith 5/6, I Folau 1/1, M King 1/1[38]

Finals

--------

See main article: 2007 NRL Grand Final.

Ladder

See main article: 2007 NRL season.

2007 Coaching Staff

2007 Squad

List current as of 18 October 2021

width=5%Cap width=1%Nat.width=30%Player namewidth=15%Positionwidth=10%First Storm Gamewidth=35%Previous First Grade RL club
18Matt GeyerWG1998 Perth Reds
26Matt RuaSR1998 Melbourne Storm
55Cameron Smith (c)HK2002 Melbourne Storm
58Billy SlaterFB2003 Melbourne Storm
60Dallas JohnsonLK2003 Melbourne Storm
62Ryan HoffmanSR, LK2003 Melbourne Storm
68Antonio KaufusiPR2003 Melbourne Storm
69Matt KingCE2003 Melbourne Storm
72Steve TurnerWG2004 Penrith Panthers
73Cooper CronkHB2004 Melbourne Storm
74Jeremy SmithLK2004 Melbourne Storm
76Brett WhitePR2005 Melbourne Storm
77Ian DonnellyPR2005 Manly Sea Eagles
79Greg InglisCE2005 Melbourne Storm
83Garrett CrossmanPR2006 Penrith Panthers
84Michael CrockerSR2006 Sydney Roosters
86Adam BlairPR2006 Melbourne Storm
88Ben CrossPR2006 Melbourne Storm
89Matthew BartlettSR2006 Melbourne Storm
90Jeff LimaPR2006 Wests Tigers
91Anthony QuinnWG2007 Newcastle Knights
92Israel FolauWG2007 Melbourne Storm
93James AubussonHK2007 Melbourne Storm
94Ryan ShortlandCE2007 Melbourne Storm
95Sam TagataesePR2007 Melbourne Storm
96Russell AitkenHK2007 Cronulla Sharks
97Will ChambersCE2007 Melbourne Storm
98Sika ManuSR2007 Melbourne Storm
99Scott AndersonPR2007 Melbourne Storm
100Clint NewtonSR2007 Newcastle Knights
align=center-Aiden TolmanPRYet to Debut Melbourne Storm
align=center-Liam ForanHBYet to Debut Melbourne Storm
align=center-Danny VaughanPRYet to Debut Melbourne Storm
Paletasala AleSRYet to Debut Melbourne Storm

Team of the decade

As part of their 10-year celebrations in 2007, Melbourne Storm released a team of the decade. The 17-man team was selected by former assistant coach Greg Brentnall, foundation CEO John Ribot, and then board member Frank Stanton (all 3 were members of the 1982 Kangaroo tour "Invincibles", Brentnall and Ribot as players with Stanton the coach). The trio were joined by The Daily Telegraph (Sydney) journalist Steve Mascord.[39]

Player movements

Losses

Gains

Representative honours

This table lists all players who have played a representative match in 2007.

Player 2007 All Golds Tour
Australia
Australia
Country
Australia
City New South Wales New South Wales Australia
Queensland Queensland Queensland Australia
Queensland Queensland Queensland Australia
Queensland
Australia New South Wales New South Wales New South Wales
New Zealand
Country
Australia Queensland Queensland Queensland Australia (c)
New Zealand
Country New South Wales

Statistics

This table contains playing statistics for all Melbourne Storm players to have played in the 2007 NRL season.

NameAppearancesTriesGoalsField goalsPoints
10000
20000
161004
20000
80000
51004
102008
2580133
230000
140000
50000
27215094
2580032
25100040
2090036
231004
100000
23201082
252008
30000
1540016
2680032
10000
10000
23120048
244880192
1930012
121004
21155070
242008
30 players used 132 99 1 727

Scorers

Most points in a game: 18 points

Most tries in a game: 3

Winning games

Highest score in a winning game: 58 points

Lowest score in a winning game: 4 points

Greatest winning margin: 46 points

Greatest number of games won consecutively: 8

Losing games

Highest score in a losing game: 16 points

Lowest score in a losing game: 12 points

Greatest losing margin: 18 points

Greatest number of games lost consecutively: 1

Feeder Team

For a tenth and ultimately final season, Melbourne continued their affiliation with Norths Devils, with reserve players travelling to Brisbane each week to play with the Devils in the Queensland Cup.

Coached by former Storm player Kevin Carmichael, the Devils missed the Queensland Cup finals for the second year in a row.

See main article: 2007 Queensland Cup.

Awards and honours

Trophy Cabinet

Melbourne Storm Awards Night

Dally M Awards Night

Rugby League World Golden Boot Awards Night

Cameron Smith

RLIF Awards

Additional Awards

Notes and References

  1. Web site: History Melbourne Storm. melbournestorm.com.au. 9 January 2017.
  2. Book: Middleton . David . 2007 Official Rugby League Annual . News Magazines . Surrey Hills.
  3. Web site: Smith still keen to be Storm captain . theage.com.au . 9 February 2024 . 14 March 2007.
  4. News: CAMERON Smith has been named Melbourne's permanent captain . . 3 August 2007 . Sydney, New South Wales . 52.
  5. News: Donaghy . Dave . One hand back on Storm tiller . . 3 August 2007 . Sydney, New South Wales . 99.
  6. News: Paxinos . Stathi . Delighted Smith rewarded with sole captaincy of Storm . The Age . 3 August 2007 . Melbourne, Victoria . 13.
  7. Book: Middleton . David . 2008 Official Rugby League Annual . News Magazines . Surrey Hills.
  8. Web site: RESULTS: NRL Trial Matches 2007 . leagueunlimited.com . 20 October 2021.
  9. News: de Kroo . Karl . Punt pays off for Cartwright - Titans take up Storm's challenge . The Courier-Mail . Nationwide News Pty Ltd . 19 February 2007 . Brisbane, Queensland . 68.
  10. News: Masters . Roy . Roy Masters (rugby league) . Titans the brighter despite defeat . The Sydney Morning Herald . 19 February 2007 . Sydney, New South Wales . 8.
  11. News: NRL trials latest . The Courier-Mail . Nationwide News Pty Ltd . 25 February 2007 . Brisbane, Queensland . 99.
  12. News: Donaghy . Dave . Early lead blown by Storm . Herald-Sun . Nationwide News Pty Ltd . 25 February 2007 . Melbourne, Victoria . 63.
  13. News: Paxinos . Stathi . Storm crushes Brisbane . The Age . Fairfax Media Publications Pty Limited . 4 March 2007 . Melbourne, Victoria . 15.
  14. Web site: Rugby League Tables - Melbourne. 3 November 2021.
  15. Web site: NRL 2007 - Round 1. 3 November 2021.
  16. Web site: NRL 2007 - Round 2. 3 November 2021.
  17. Web site: NRL 2007 - Round 3. 3 November 2021.
  18. Web site: NRL 2007 - Round 4. 3 November 2021.
  19. Web site: NRL 2007 - Round 5. 3 November 2021.
  20. Web site: NRL 2007 - Round 6. 3 November 2021.
  21. Web site: NRL 2007 - Round 7. 3 November 2021.
  22. Web site: NRL 2007 - Round 8. 3 November 2021.
  23. Web site: NRL 2007 - Round 9. 3 November 2021.
  24. Web site: NRL 2007 - Round 10. 3 November 2021.
  25. Web site: NRL 2007 - Round 11. 3 November 2021.
  26. Web site: NRL 2007 - Round 12. 3 November 2021.
  27. Web site: NRL 2007 - Round 13. 3 November 2021.
  28. Web site: NRL 2007 - Round 14. 3 November 2021.
  29. Web site: NRL 2007 - Round 15. 3 November 2021.
  30. Web site: NRL 2007 - Round 17. 3 November 2021.
  31. Web site: NRL 2007 - Round 18. 3 November 2021.
  32. Web site: NRL 2007 - Round 19. 3 November 2021.
  33. Web site: NRL 2007 - Round 20. 3 November 2021.
  34. Web site: NRL 2007 - Round 21. 3 November 2021.
  35. Web site: NRL 2007 - Round 22. 3 November 2021.
  36. Web site: NRL 2007 - Round 23. 3 November 2021.
  37. Web site: NRL 2007 - Round 24. 3 November 2021.
  38. Web site: NRL 2007 - Round 25. 3 November 2021.
  39. Web site: Melbourne Storm Team of the Decade. https://web.archive.org/web/20080822090855/http://www.melbournestorm.com.au/default.asp?sec=15&ssec=8. 22 August 2008. 21 July 2007.
  40. Web site: 2007 Melbourne Point Scorers. afltables.com. 1 November 2021.
  41. Web site: Melbourne Storm - NRL 2007. rugbyleagueproject.org. 1 November 2021.
  42. 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 .
  43. News: Byrne . Fiona . MELBOURNE STORM PRESENTATION EVENING . Herald-Sun . Nationwide News Pty Ltd . 7 October 2007 . Melbourne, Victoria . 122.
  44. Web site: Dream year even better for Smith . melbournestorm.com.au . 10 June 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20071007051628/http://www.melbournestorm.com.au/default.asp?sec=1&ssec=1 . 7 October 2007.