2013 Melbourne Storm season explained

Year:2013
Team Colour:
  1. 6C0094
Font Colour:
  1. ffd700
League:NRL
League Rank:3rd
League Wins:16
League Draws:1
League Losses:7
Points For:589
Points Against:373
Playoff Result:Semi-final Loss
Ceo Title:CEO
Ceo:Ron Gauci (until May 2013)
Mark Evans (from May 2013)
Coach Title:Coach
Captain:Cameron Smith (23 games)
Ryan Hinchcliffe (2 games)
Cooper Cronk (1 game)
Stadium:AAMI Park – 30,050
Avg Attendance:16,302
High Attendance:25,480 (Round 7)
Top Tries:Billy Slater (18)
Top Goals:Cameron Smith (84)
Top Points:Cameron Smith (176)
List:yes
List Link:Melbourne Storm#Season summaries

The 2013 Melbourne Storm season was the 16th in the club's history. They competed in the 2013 NRL season. They were coached by Craig Bellamy and captained by Cameron Smith. They had previously won the 2012 NRL Grand Final therefore started the season as reigning premiers.

Seven straight wins to start the season extended the club's winning streak to 15 games dating back to the previous campaign. The Origin period proved difficult to negotiate however with team unable to come up with some crucial wins at the business end of the season, eventually finishing in third place. Two finals losses to the Rabbitohs and Knights prematurely ended the season, as Storm did not make the preliminary final stage for just the second time in eight years. The Storm attack was the shining light of the season, producing 98 tries to be ranked second in the competition. The team also had the best home record of any side in the NRL, losing just the one game at AAMI Park during the season. Cooper Cronk was rewarded for several seasons of brilliance, claiming his first Dally M Medal Player of the Year honour. Off the field Storm experienced a change at the helm with Mark Evans replacing Ron Gauci as CEO midway through the season, following divestment of the club by News Limited to new ownership.[1]

Season summary

Milestone games

Round Player Milestone
Round 1NRL debut
Tohu Harris
Storm debut
Lagi Setu
Round 3200th game
Storm debut
Round 5NRL debut
Round 11NRL debut
Round 1350th game
250th game
Round 14NRL debut
Round 15NRL debut
Round 16NRL debut
Round 21150th try
Round 2250th game
Round 23150th game
Round 24100th game

Jerseys

In 2013 the Storm jerseys were again made by Kooga. They created a new jersey design for 2013 which featured more navy blue and a more prominent and deeper chevron that integrated the sponsor's (Crown Casino) logo into the design, which featured purple lightning bolts for the first time. The secondary club colours of gold and white were removed and reduced respectively, so that the jersey was essentially half navy blue and half purple. The clash jersey was a white version of the home jersey.[8]

Special

Attendance averages

[13] Total Matches Average
Home 195,62312 16,302
Away 228,62812 19,057
All regular season games 424,311 24 17,680
Finals 41,258 2 20,629
All Games 465,569 26 17,907

Fixtures

Pre Season

DateOpponentVenueResultTries Goals Field goals
2 FebruaryTrialGosch's Paddock, Melbourne284K Auva'a (2), T Harris, M Duffie, M Blair, J Sa'u, M Fonua[14]
8 FebruaryTrialSimonds Stadium, Geelong840M Duffie, R Kennar[15] [16]
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See main article: 2013 World Club Challenge.

Regular season

Matches

Source:[17]

DateOpponentVenueResultTries Goals Field goals
10 March1St George-Illawarra DragonsAAMI Park, Melbourne3010J O'Neill (2), B Slater, G Widdop, M FonuaC Smith 5/5[18]
16 March2North Queensland Cowboys1300SMILES Stadium, Townsville3210W Chambers (2), C Cronk (2), R Hinchcliffe, R HoffmanC Smith 3/5, G Widdop 1/1[19]
21 March3Canterbury-Bankstown BulldogsAAMI Park, Melbourne2218R Hinchcliffe, M Duffie, M Fonua, L SetuC Smith 3/4[20]
29 March4Brisbane Broncos3226B Slater (3), M Duffie (2), J Sa'uC Smith 4/6[21]
8 April5Wests TigersAAMI Park, Melbourne2612S Vave, M Fonua, C Cronk, S WaqaC Smith 4/4, G Widdop 1/1[22]
13 April6South Sydney RabbitohsANZ Stadium, Sydney1710K Proctor, M Fonua, G WiddopC Smith 2/3C Cronk 1/1[23]
25 April7New Zealand WarriorsAAMI Park, Melbourne2818W Chambers (2), M Fonua, B Slater, S WaqaC Smith 4/5[24]
4 May8Canberra RaidersAAMI Park, Melbourne2024J Bromwich, B Slater, M Fonua, J O'NeillC Smith 2/4[25]
12 May9Penrith PanthersCentrebet Stadium, Penrith1012J Bromwich, S WaqaC Smith 1/2[26]
20 May10Manly-Warringah Sea EaglesAAMI Park, Melbourne1010M BlairC Smith 3/3[27]
25 May11Sydney RoostersAllianz Stadium, Sydney2618M Blair, W Chambers, J O'Neill, C SmithC Smith 5/6[28]
1 June12Bye
9 June13Cronulla SharksAAMI Park, Melbourne386M Blair, T Harris, R Hoffman, J O'Neill, K Proctor, B Slater, G WiddopC Smith 5/7[29]
16 June14Newcastle KnightsAAMI Park, Melbourne1614M Blair, B Slater, S WaqaC Smith 2/3[30] [31]
24 June15Gold Coast TitansSkilled Park, Gold Coast1218B Hampton (2)M Blair 1/1, G Widdop 1/1[32] [33]
29 June16Wests TigersLeichhardt Oval, Balmain422M BlairC Smith 0/1[34]
5 July17Brisbane BroncosAAMI Park, Melbourne320M Blair (2), J Bromwich, R Hinchcliffe, J O'Neill, S WaqaC Smith 4/6[35] [36]
14 July18Canterbury-Bankstown BulldogsANZ Stadium, Sydney039[37]
20 July19ByeBye
28 July20New Zealand WarriorsMt. Smart Stadium, Auckland2230J O'Neill, B Slater, M Blair, C CronkC Smith 3/4[38] [39]
4 August21Canberra Stadium, Canberra684M Fonua (3), S Waqa (3), W Chambers (2), B Slater (2), T Harris, K ProctorC Smith 10/12C Smith 0/1[40]
9 August22South Sydney RabbitohsAAMI Park, Melbourne268W Chambers, K Bromwich, S Waqa, J O'NeillC Smith 5/7[41] [42]
18 August23Newcastle KnightsHunter Stadium, Newcastle2310J McLean, C Smith, B Slater, B NorrieC Smith 3/4C Cronk 1/1[43]
25 August24Parramatta EelsAAMI Park, Melbourne644B Slater (3), W Chambers (2), R Hoffman (2), M Blair, J Bromwich, K Bromwich, T GlasbyC Smith 10/11[44]
31 August25Manly-Warringah Sea EaglesBrookvale Oval, Manly828J O'Neill, S WaqaC Smith 0/2[45]
7 September26Gold Coast TitansAAMI Park, Melbourne
2322B Slater (2), W Chambers, S WaqaC Smith 3/4C Cronk 1/5[46]

Finals

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Ladder

See main article: 2013 NRL season.

2013 Coaching staff

2013 Squad

As of 16 July 2013.

width=5%Cap width=1%Nat.width=30%Player namewidth=15%Positionwidth=10%First Storm Gamewidth=35%Previous First Grade RL club
55Cameron Smith (c)HK2002 Melbourne Storm
58Billy SlaterFB2003 Melbourne Storm
62Ryan HoffmanSR,LK2003 Melbourne Storm
73Cooper CronkHB2004 Melbourne Storm
97Will ChambersCE2007 Queensland Reds
105Kevin ProctorSR2008 Melbourne Storm
110Ryan HinchcliffeSR2009 Canberra Raiders
115Brett FinchFE,HB2009 Wigan Warriors
119Jesse BromwichPR2010 Melbourne Storm
123Bryan NorriePR2010 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
124Matt DuffieWG,CE2010 Melbourne Storm
125Gareth WiddopHB2010 Melbourne Storm
127Justin O'NeillWG2010 Sydney Roosters
134Maurice BlairWG,CE2011 Penrith Panthers
136Sisa WaqaCE,WG2011 Sydney Roosters
139Siosaia VavePR2012 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
140Jason RylesPR2012 Sydney Roosters
143Mahe FonuaCE2012 Melbourne Storm
144Tohu HarrisSR2013 Melbourne Storm
145Junior MoorsPR,SR2013 Wests Tigers
146Lagi SetuSR2013 Brisbane Broncos
147Slade GriffenHK2013 Melbourne Storm
148Junior Sa'uFB,WG2013 Newcastle Knights
149Kenny BromwichPR,LK2013 Melbourne Storm
150Jordan McLeanPR2013 Melbourne Storm
151Mitch GarbuttPR,SR2013 Melbourne Storm
152Ben HamptonHB2013 Melbourne Storm
153Tim GlasbyPR2013 Melbourne Storm
Kirisome Auva'aWGYet to Debut Melbourne Storm
Kurt MannFEYet to Debut Newcastle Knights
Matthew LodgePRYet to Debut Melbourne Storm
Matt McGahanHB,FEYet to Debut Melbourne Storm
Denny SolomonaFBYet to Debut Melbourne Storm
Young TonumaipeaWG,FBYet to Debut Melbourne Storm

Player movement

Losses

Gains

Representative honours

The following players have played a representative match in 2013.

PlayerAll Stars Match[48] World Cup[49] [50] [51] [52] [53] [54]
New ZealandNew Zealand
Cooper CronkQueenslandQueenslandAustralia
TongaTonga
Tohu HarrisNew Zealand
Ryan HoffmanCity (C)New South WalesNew South WalesNew South Wales
Samoa
NRL All Stars
Kevin ProctorNew Zealand
SamoaSamoa
AustraliaQueenslandQueenslandQueenslandAustralia
NRL All StarsAustralia (C)Queensland (C)Queensland (C)Queensland (C)Australia (C)
Siosaia VaveTonga
Sisa WaqaFiji
Gareth WiddopEngland

Statistics

This table contains playing statistics for all Melbourne Storm players to have played in the 2013 NRL season.

NameAppearancesTriesGoalsField goalsPoints
18101042
2660024
91004
25120048
2340319
430012
130000
1390036
30000
21004
100000
22008
252008
2330012
2440016
141004
100000
251004
2190036
2330012
240000
41004
71004
24180072
232840176
91004
22120048
1633018
28 Players used 109 88 3 615

Scorers

Most points in a game: 20

Most tries in a game: 3

Winning games

Highest score in a winning game: 68 points

Lowest score in a winning game: 16 points

Greatest winning margin: 64 points

Greatest number of games won consecutively: 7

Losing games

Highest score in a losing game: 22 points

Lowest score in a losing game: 0 points

Greatest losing margin: 39 points

Greatest number of games lost consecutively: 2

NRL Under-20s

See main article: 2013 NRL Under-20s season. In the sixth season of the NRL's NRL Under 20s now known as the Holden Cup, Anthony Seibold replaced Dean Pay as coach, with Pay moving to the Canberra Raiders as an assistant coach to Ricky Stuart.

Melbourne again finished the regular season in 9th place on the ladder, meaning the club would not qualify for the finals for the second year in a row. A six match losing streak in the second half of the season proving costly.

Kurt Mann (Queensland), Dean Britt and Matthew Lodge (NSW) would make the Under-20 State of Origin teams for the match played in April, with Lodge later featuring in the competition's team of the year chosen at prop forward.[3]

Statistics

Scorers

Most points in a game: 20 points

Most tries in a game: 4

Most points (season): 148

Most tries (season): 20

Winning games

Highest score in a winning game: 36 points

Lowest score in a winning game: 24 points

Greatest winning margin: 28 points

Greatest number of games won consecutively: 4

Losing games

Highest score in a losing game: 28 points

Lowest score in a losing game: 6 points

Greatest losing margin: 34 points

Greatest number of games lost consecutively: 6

Feeder clubs

Melbourne continued their relationships with both the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks and Easts Tigers to send any reserve players to play in their respective state cup competitions.

In the New South Wales Cup, Cronulla were coached by Tony Herman, and finished the regular season in first position. After losing their first final against the fourth-placed Windsor Wolves, the Sharks would regroup to win an elimination semi-final against the Newtown Jets, and qualify for the Grand Final by defeating the North Sydney Bears.

Cronulla would win their first premiership in any competition for 17 years, winning the Grand Final against the Windsor Wolves. Four Melbourne contracted players: Kirisome Auva'a, Young Tonumaipea, Siosaia Vave, and Junior Moors were all members of the premiership team.[3]

In the Queensland Cup, Easts Tigers under new coach Craig Ingebrigtsen, finished in third position to qualify for the finals. The Tigers would qualify for their third Queensland Cup Grand Final after defeating second-placed Mackay Cutters in a qualifying final, progressing through the Grand Final after defeating minor premiers Northern Pride in a major semi final at Barlow Park in Cairns.

In the Grand Final, the Tigers took on Mackay at North Ipswich Reserve. The Tigers would score first through the Storm's Junior Sa'u and would go to half time leading 14–10 thanks to Sa'u second try just before the break. The Cutters would take the lead in the second half, until Mitch Garbutt's converted try levelled the scores with ten minutes remaining. The Cutters would retake the lead with a field goal in the 74th minute, scoring a try in the 79th minute to seal victory.[3] [57]

Easts Tigers halfback Cody Walker won the competition's best and fairest award ahead of joining the Storm in 2014.

Awards

Trophy Cabinet

Melbourne Storm Awards Night

Held at Peninsula Docklands on Friday 11 October 2013.[58] [59]

Dally M Awards Night

The NRL Dally M Awards were held on 1 October 2013.[60]

RLPA Awards Night

Additional Awards

Notes and References

  1. Web site: History Melbourne Storm. melbournestorm.com.au. 9 January 2017.
  2. News: Bellamy signs new contract with Storm. Herald Sun. 12 February 2013.
  3. Book: Middleton . David . 2013 Official Rugby League Annual . NewsLifeMedia . Alexandria, New South Wales.
  4. News: Gareth Widdop to depart Melbourne. Fox Sports. 19 April 2013.
  5. News: Melbourne Storm resign Will Chambers for another 4 years. Herald Sun. 1 May 2013.
  6. News: Rugby League Statistics . rleague.com . May 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20020706014419/http://stats.rleague.com/rl/teams/all/overall_st.html . 6 July 2002 .
  7. Web site: Read . Brent . Bart Campbell - the man behind Melbourne Storm's buyout . . News Corporation Australia . 13 August 2021.
  8. News: Melbourne Storm Home and Away jersey 2013. MelbourneStorm.com. February 2013. 12 December 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20131019144935/http://www.melbournestorm.com.au/news-display/2013-home-and-away-jersey-is-LIVE/66454. 19 October 2013. dead. dmy-all.
  9. News: Melbourne women of League jersey 2013. MelbourneStorm.com. May 2013. 11 May 2013. https://archive.today/20130627213812/http://www.melbournestorm.com.au/news-display/Storm-release-Women-in-League-Jersey/74016. 27 June 2013. dead. dmy-all.
  10. News: Melbourne release the Man of Steel jersey. MelbourneStorm.com. May 2013. 4 June 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130609041308/http://www.melbournestorm.com.au/news-display/Storm-Steel-themselves-for-No-Ordinary-Match/76153. 9 June 2013. dead. dmy-all.
  11. News: Melbourne heritage jersey 2013. MelbourneStorm.com. May 2013. 16 June 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130622002206/http://www.melbournestormshop.com.au/Storm/Jersey-3/2013-Storm-Heritage-Jersey-1504. 22 June 2013. dead. dmy-all.
  12. News: Melbourne big battle jersey 2013. MelbourneStorm.com. June 2013.
  13. Web site: 2013 Attendances . Rugby League Tables . 14 June 2024.
  14. News: Easts Trial Match Report. Melbourne Storm. 3 February 2013. 3 February 2013. https://archive.today/20130219121545/http://www.melbournestorm.com.au/news-display/Easts-Trial--Match-report/67826. 19 February 2013. dead. dmy-all.
  15. News: Canberra Trial Match Report. Melbourne Storm. 8 February 2013. 12 February 2013. https://archive.today/20130403202032/http://www.melbournestorm.com.au/news-display/Canberra-Trial--Match-report/68113. 3 April 2013. dead. dmy-all.
  16. News: Full List of Pre Season Trial games. Triple M. January 2013. 16 January 2013. 21 October 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131021052641/http://www.triplem.com.au/sydney/sport/nrl/news/full-list-nrl-2013-pre-season-trial-games-/. dead.
  17. Web site: Rugby League Tables – Melbourne. 7 June 2024.
  18. Web site: Storm v Dragons . NRL.com . 6 June 2024 . 10 March 2013.
  19. Web site: Cowboys v Storm . NRL.com . 6 June 2024 . 16 March 2013.
  20. Web site: Storm v Bulldogs . NRL.com . 6 June 2024 . 21 March 2013.
  21. Web site: Broncos v Storm . NRL.com . 6 June 2024 . 29 March 2013.
  22. Web site: Storm v Tigers . NRL.com . 6 June 2024 . 8 April 2013.
  23. Web site: Rabbitohs v Storm . NRL.com . 6 June 2024 . 13 April 2013.
  24. Web site: Storm v Warriors . NRL.com . 6 June 2024 . 25 April 2013.
  25. Web site: Storm v Raiders . NRL.com . 6 June 2024 . 4 May 2013.
  26. Web site: Panthers v Storm . NRL.com . 6 June 2024 . 12 May 2013.
  27. Web site: Storm v Sea Eagles . NRL.com . 6 June 2024 . 20 May 2013.
  28. Web site: Roosters v Storm . NRL.com . 6 June 2024 . 25 May 2013.
  29. Web site: Storm v Sharks . NRL.com . 6 June 2024 . 9 June 2013.
  30. Web site: Storm v Knights . NRL.com . 6 June 2024 . 16 June 2013.
  31. News: Knights make Storm work to preserve record . The Age. 16 June 2013.
  32. Web site: Titans v Storm . NRL.com . 6 June 2024 . 24 June 2013.
  33. News: Titans beat Storm 18–12. The Age. 24 June 2013.
  34. Web site: Wests Tigers v Storm . NRL.com . 6 June 2024 . 29 June 2013.
  35. Web site: Storm v Broncos . NRL.com . 6 June 2024 . 5 July 2013.
  36. News: Storm blow away Broncos after putting their bodies on the line . The Age. 5 July 2013.
  37. Web site: Bulldogs v Storm . NRL.com . 6 June 2024 . 14 July 2013.
  38. Web site: Warriors v Storm . NRL.com . 6 June 2024 . 28 July 2013.
  39. News: Imperfect Storm abate as Warriors threaten top eight . The Age. 28 July 2013.
  40. Web site: Raiders v Storm . NRL.com . 6 June 2024 . 4 August 2013.
  41. Web site: Storm v Rabbitohs . NRL.com . 6 June 2024 . 9 August 2013.
  42. News: Melbourne defeat Souths . The Age. 10 August 2013.
  43. Web site: Knights v Storm . NRL.com . 6 June 2024 . 18 August 2013.
  44. Web site: Storm v Eels . NRL.com . 6 June 2024 . 25 August 2013.
  45. Web site: Sea Eagles v Storm . NRL.com . 6 June 2024 . 31 August 2013.
  46. Web site: Storm v Titans . NRL.com . 6 June 2024 . 7 September 2013.
  47. Web site: Storm builds strong front . 2012-09-13 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120916104304/http://www.melbournestorm.com.au/news-display/Storm-builds-strong-front/63919 . 16 September 2012 . dmy-all.
  48. News: Teams for 2013 All Stars clash. Herald Sun. February 2013.
  49. News: New Zealand Confirm 2013 World Cup Squad. Melbourne Storm. October 2013. 9 October 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131009053549/http://www.melbournestorm.com.au/news-display/New-Zealand-confirm-2013-World-Cup-squad/85662. 9 October 2013. dead. dmy-all.
  50. News: Fonua and Vave named for Tonga. Melbourne Storm. October 2013. 9 October 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131009053529/http://www.melbournestorm.com.au/news-display/Fonua-and-Vave-named-for-Tonga/85671. 9 October 2013. dead. dmy-all.
  51. News: Kangaroos name World Cup Squad. Melbourne Storm. October 2013. 9 October 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131009053543/http://www.melbournestorm.com.au/news-display/Kangaroos-name-World-Cup-squad/85636. 9 October 2013. dead. dmy-all.
  52. News: Harris cut SBW into NZ squad. NRL.com. October 2013.
  53. News: Rugby League World Cup 2013: Burgess trio in England squad. BBC. October 2013.
  54. News: Moor and Sau earn Samoan selection. Melbourne Storm. October 2013. 15 October 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131015155316/http://www.melbournestorm.com.au/news-display/Moors-and-Sau-earn-Samoa-selection/85781. 15 October 2013. dead. dmy-all.
  55. News: Rugby League Statistics. rleague.com. 8 February 2013. 15 March 2013. 27 September 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130927161738/http://stats.rleague.com/rl/teams/melbourne/melbourne2013_sc.html. dead.
  56. Web site: Rugby League Tables - Melbourne Point Scorers 2013 . 7 June 2024.
  57. Web site: Cutters win maiden Intrust Super Cup title . qrl.com.au . 5 July 2024 . 29 September 2013.
  58. News: Melbourne Storm 2013 Awards - Star hooker Cameron Smith Named . March 2018.
  59. Web site: Smith wins sixth Player of the Year award . melbournestorm.com.au . 14 June 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131017193527/http://www.melbournestorm.com.au/news-display/Smith-wins-sixth-Player-of-the-Year-award/85878 . 17 October 2013 . 11 October 2013.
  60. News: Dally M awards 2013. Triple M. 1 October 2013.