2016 Melbourne Storm season explained
| Year: | 2016 |
| Team Colour: | - 6C0094
|
| Font Colour: | - ffd700
|
| League: | NRL |
| League Rank: | 1st (Minor Premier) |
| League Wins: | 19 |
| League Draws: | 0 |
| League Losses: | 5 |
| Points For: | 563 |
| Points Against: | 302 |
| Playoff Result: | Runner-up |
| Ceo Title: | CEO |
| Ceo: | Dave Donaghy |
| Coach Title: | Coach |
| Captain: | Cameron Smith (26 Games)
Jesse Bromwich (1 Game) |
| Stadium: | AAMI Park – 30,050
Suncorp Stadium - 52,500 (1 Game) |
| Top Tries: | Suliasi Vunivalu (23) |
| Top Goals: | Cameron Smith (87) |
| Top Points: | Cameron Smith (184) |
| List: | yes |
| List Link: | Melbourne Storm#Season summaries |
The 2016 Melbourne Storm season was the 19th in the club's history, they competed in the 2016 NRL season and were coached by Craig Bellamy, coaching for his 14th consecutive season during which he coached his 350th Game. Melbourne Storm were also captained in 2016 by Cameron Smith, who was the sole captain for the team since 2008 making this his 9th consecutive season. In the pre-season the Storm competed in the 2016 Auckland Nines tournament, reaching the semi-finals.
Storm kicked off the season with three straight wins despite playing below their best. Marika Koroibete scored a double in a season-opening win against the Dragons while Will Chambers did the same the following week in a 34-16 triumph over the Gold Coast. Two losses soon followed against the Sharks and Bulldogs before a Round 7 golden point-win over Wests Tigers saw Melbourne hit their straps. Cooper Cronk's 85th minute field goal in that game kick-started a stellar run for Storm that saw them win 13 of their next 14 games to move into top spot on the NRL ladder. Cronk went on to play his 300th NRL game in a Preliminary final later in the season – becoming just the 25th player to reach that mark. The team managed to do that whilst also experiencing one of the longest injury lists the Club has seen. With their outside back stocks all but depleted, Cheyse Blair, rookie Suliasi Vunivalu and mid-season signing Ryan Morgan were all handed Storm debuts.[1]
For the first time in the Club's history, Storm kept their opponents scoreless in consecutive weeks, first on ANZAC Day against the Warriors (42-0) then the Titans a week later (38-0). Round 10 saw the Melbourne take part in the first ever NRL Double Header in front of 52,347 fans at Suncorp Stadium – the largest non-finals crowd of the season. That night Cameron Smith helped Storm to a thrilling one-point win over the Cowboys with a field goal in the 71st minute. Melbourne then went through the Origin period with a 5-1 record, its best performance during that part of a season in six years. Big away wins over the Roosters and Broncos by 46 and 42 points respectively were the highlights. Vunivalu scored three tries that night against Brisbane to make it 16 tries from his opening 10 games. The 20-year-old ultimately finished with 23 for the season to finish the year as the NRL's leading try scorer and break Storm's try-scoring record. The final game of the season saw the men in purple clinch the Club's first Minor Premiership since 2011 with a 26-6 win over Cronulla. They backed up their efforts in Week One of the finals, defeating reigning premiers North Queensland 16-10. After earning a week off, Craig Bellamy's side booked their place in a sixth Grand Final in 11 years, narrowly defeating the Canberra Raiders 14-12. That game also broke a new record for Storm as it was the first time in history the Club recorded four consecutive home crowds of 20,000-plus.[1]
Storm then gave their absolute all against the Sharks in the Grand Final and took the lead with 15 minutes to play. However, they were ultimately pipped for the top prize, going down 14-12.[1]
Season summary
- Pre-season- New recruits took part in Melbourne Storm IDQ camp for pre season training before New Years. Dale Finucane was awarded the IDQ Iron bar.[2]
- Auckland Nines – The club commenced their 2016 season competing in the annual Auckland Nines competition on 6–7 February 2016. For the first time they made it past the pool stage, winning their first two games.[3] They also won their quarter final before losing the semi-final to eventual winner Parramatta Eels.[4] Blake Green captained a youthful squad with an average age of just 22, with assistant coach Adam O'Brien handling coaching responsibilities.[3]
- 4 March - Craig Bellamy announces that he has signed a 2-year contract extension with the club meaning his coaching tenure will continue until the end of the 2018 season.[5]
- Round 1 - The Storm won their 12th consecutive first round encounter, with Marika Koroibete scoring two tries playing in his 50th NRL game. Billy Slater re-injures his shoulder ruling him out for the rest of the season.[6]
- Round 2 - Storm have a commanding victory over the Titans with Curtis Scott making his NRL debut.
- Round 3 - Storm remain the only unbeaten side in the NRL after a win over Warriors in New Zealand.[7]
- Round 5 - Storm score their 300th win in the NRL coming from behind to defeat the Newcastle Knights.[8]
- Round 6 - Fijian Suliasi Vunivalu became the 171st player to debut for the Storm and in his debut game scored two tries including one in the first minute of the match.[9] [10]
- Round 9 - The Storm demolish the Gold Coast Titans 38-0 in a very one-sided game, this was the second consecutive week that the Storm have kept a side scoreless. This game marked Craig Bellamy's 350th NRL Game as coach, and also Cheyse Blair's debut for the Storm. In addition the game was notable for the fact that in only his third game, Suliasi Vunivalu scored two tries for the third consecutive week.[11]
- Round 10 - The Storm defeat reigning premier's North Queensland Cowboys 15-14 in their "home" game at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium. Cameron Smith kicked only the second field goal of his career to break the deadlock.
- 19 May - Winger Marika Koroibete announces that he will leave the Storm at the end of the season and switch to Super Rugby side Melbourne Rebels.[12]
- Round 11 - Ryan Morgan makes his debut for the Storm against his old club the Parramatta Eels after being granted an immediate release from the Eels following their salary cap scandal.[13]
- Round 14 - The Storm demolish the Sydney Roosters away in a record breaking win. Records that fell in this game were:
- It was the Storm's biggest win against the Roosters,
- The first time the Roosters were kept tryless against the Storm
- Roosters worst defeat against any side at Allianz Stadium.
- First time three tries has been scored by a Storm player this season
- Most points scored by a Storm player in a game this season[14]
- Round 15 - Brodie Croft makes his playing debut and Suliasi Vunivalu becomes the NRL leading try scorer - to date, scoring 2 tries in the Storm's loss to St George Illawarra.[15]
- Round 17 - Melbourne Storm complete a record breaking win over the Brisbane Broncos defeating them 48-6 in what was their 10th win in 11 matches at Suncorp Stadium. Records that fell were:
- Largest ever win over Broncos.
- Brisbane's biggest ever defeat at Suncorp Stadium against any side.
- Melbourne's highest score thus far this season.
- Cameron Smith scoring 8 goals from 8 attempts scored the most points in a game thus far this season.
- Round 19 - Matt White made his playing debut, in the Melbourne Storm's narrow win over Newcastle.[16]
- Round 20 - Jesse Bromwich played his 150th Game against the Storms win over the Sydney Roosters.
- Round 21 - Marika Koroibete plays his 50th Game.
- 5 August - Cooper Cronk signs a new two-year contract extension that will almost certainly see him finish his career with the Storm.[17]
- Round 22 - The Storm defeat the South Sydney Rabbitohs 15-14 with a field Goal in Golden point extra time, moving to first place on the NRL table. The win came after scoring a penalty goal in the 80th minute to level the scores.
- Round 24 - Suliasi Vunivalu scores 4 tries in the Storms big win over Manly and in doing so registered the following records:
- equaled the club record for most tries scored in a game
- equaled the club record for most tries scored in a season
- equaled the NRL record for most tries scored in a rookie season
- Round 26 - The Storm defeat the Cronulla Sharks in front of a sold-out crowd of 24,135 spectators to claim the minor Premiership. Suliasi Vunivalu also scored his 22nd try for the season claiming the outright record for most tries scored in a season for a Melbourne Storm player. Tohu Harris also played his 100th Game.
- Finals Week 1 - The Storm defeat the North Queensland Cowboys to earn a weeks break and a home Preliminary Final in Week 3.
- Finals Week 3 - Cooper Cronk played his 300th Game in the home Preliminary final win against Canberra. The win earned the Storm a place in the 2016 NRL Grand Final. The crowd of 28,161 was also the Storms highest home crowd of the season and also their fifth highest ever home attendance.
- Finals Week 4 - The 2016 NRL Grand Final was and closely fought game and after the Cronulla Sharks won the first half and led 8-0 at half time, the Storm came back to hit the front in the second half 12 - 8 before the sharks scored the match winning try and winning the game 14 - 12. The final went right down to the final minutes with the Storm falling only metres short of scoring a try in the final few seconds. The Grand Final also marked Melbourne Storm's 500th NRL Game.[18]
Milestone games
| Round | Player | Milestone |
|---|
| Round 1 | | 50th NRL game |
| Round 2 | | NRL debut |
| Round 6 | | NRL debut |
| Round 11 | | Storm debut |
| Round 15 | | NRL debut |
| Round 19 | | Storm debut |
| Round 20 | | 150th game |
| Round 21 | | 50th Storm game |
| Finals Week 3 | | 300th Game | |
Fixtures
Pre-Season
Source:[19]
Regular season
Matches
Source:[23]
| Date | | Opponent | Venue | Result | | | Tries | Goals | Field goals | |
|---|
| 7 March | 1 | St George-Illawarra Dragons | AAMI Park, Melbourne | | 18 | 16 | M Koroibete (2), K Bromwich | C Smith 3/5 | | [24] |
| 13 March | 2 | Gold Coast Titans | AAMI Park, Melbourne | | 34 | 16 | W Chambers (2), D Finucane, B Green, C Munster, Y Tonumaipea | C Smith 5/6 | | [25] |
| 20 March | 3 | New Zealand Warriors | Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland | | 21 | 14 | K Bromwich, C Munster, M Koroibete | C Smith 4/4 | C Cronk 1/1 | [26] |
| 28 March | 4 | Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks | Southern Cross Group Stadium, Sydney | | 6 | 14 | F Kaufusi | C Smith 1/1 | | [27] |
| 2 April | 5 | Newcastle Knights | AAMI Park, Melbourne | | 18 | 14 | C Cronk (2), R Kennar | C Smith 3/4 | | [28] |
| 11 April | 6 | Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs | AAMI Park, Melbourne | | 12 | 18 | T Harris, Y Tonumaipea | C Smith 2/3 | | [29] |
| 17 April | 7 | Wests Tigers | Leichhardt Oval, Sydney |
| 19 | 18 | S Vunivalu (2), C Cronk, M Koroibete | C Smith 1/5 | C Cronk 1/2, C Smith 0/1 | [30] |
| 25 April | 8 | New Zealand Warriors | AAMI Park, Melbourne | | 42 | 0 | S Vunivalu (2), T Harris, T Glasby, J Bromwich, M Koroibete, C Munster, C Cronk | CSmith 5/8 | | [31] |
| 1 May | 9 | Gold Coast Titans | Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast | | 38 | 0 | S Vunivalu (2), C Cronk (2), M Blair, T Harris, B Green | C Smith 5/8 | | [32] |
| 14 May | 10 | North Queensland Cowboys | Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane | | 15 | 14 | T Harris, K Proctor | C Smith 3/3 | C Smith 1/1 | [33] |
| 23 May | 11 | Parramatta Eels | Pirtek Stadium, Sydney | | 18 | 6 | S Vunivalu (2), M Koroibete, M Blair | C Smith 1/4 | | [34] |
| 28 May | 12 | Bye |
| 4 June | 13 | Penrith Panthers | AAMI Park, Melbourne | | 24 | 6 | J Bromwich, K Proctor, R Morgan, C Cronk | C Smith 4/5 | | [35] |
| 11 June | 14 | Sydney Roosters | Allianz Stadium, Sydney | | 46 | 0 | S Vunivalu (3), C Cronk (2), K Proctor, M Blair, C Munster | C Smith 7/8 | | [36] |
| 18 June | 15 | St George-Illawarra Dragons | | | 10 | 20 | S Vunivalu (2) | T Harris 1/3 | | [37] |
| 26 June | 16 | Wests Tigers | AAMI Park, Melbourne | | 29 | 20 | F Kaufusi (2), T Harris, M Koroibete | C Smith 6/6 | C Cronk 1/2 | [38] |
| 1 July | 17 | Brisbane Broncos | Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane | | 48 | 6 | S Vunivalu (3), M Blair (2), K Proctor, R Morgan, M Koroibete | C Smith 8/8 | | [39] |
| 9 July | 18 | Bye |
| 17 July | 19 | Newcastle Knights | Hunter Stadium, Newcastle | | 20 | 16 | M Koroibete (2), S Vunivalu, T Harris | C Smith 2/4 | | [40] |
| 23 July | 20 | Sydney Roosters | AAMI Park, Melbourne | | 26 | 10 | D Finucane, K Proctor, C Cronk, T Harris | C Smith 5/5 | | [41] |
| 30 July | 21 | North Queensland Cowboys | 1300SMILES Stadium, Townsville | | 16 | 8 | K Proctor, M Koroibete, T Glasby | C Smith 2/3 | | [42] |
| 6 August | 22 | South Sydney Rabbitohs | AAMI Park, Melbourne |
| 15 | 14 | M Koroibete, M Blair | C Smith 3/4 | C Smith 1/1, C Cronk 0/1 | [43] |
| 15 August | 23 | Canberra Raiders | GIO Stadium, Canberra | | 8 | 22 | C Cronk | C Smith 2/2 | | [44] |
| 20 August | 24 | | Brookvale Oval, Sydney | | 38 | 18 | S Vunivalu (4), K Bromwich, C Smith, F Kaufusi | C Smith 4/6, T Harris 1/1 | | [45] |
| 26 August | 25 | Brisbane Broncos | AAMI Park, Melbourne | | 16 | 26 | T Harris, B Hampton, C Smith | C Smith 2/3 | | [46] |
| 3 September | 26 | Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks | AAMI Park, Melbourne | | 26 | 6 | M Blair (2), S Vunivalu, J Bromwich | C Smith 5/6 | | [47] | |
Finals
--------
See main article: 2016 NRL Grand Final. ----
Ladder
2016 Coaching Staff
- Head coach: Craig Bellamy
- Assistant coaches: Adam O’Brien & Jason Ryles
- Development coaches: Marc Brentnall & Aaron Bellamy
- Specialist coaches: Nick Maxwell (leadership) & Craig McRae (skills)
- Director of Performance: Dean Benton
- Performance coaches: Adam Basil (conditioning), Daniel Di Pasqua (strength) & Tim Rogers (rehabilitation)
- Training & Logistics Manager: Matthew Barradeen
- Football Director: Frank Ponissi
- Head physiotherapist: Meirion Jones
- Physiotherapist: Andrew Nawrocki
- Club Doctor: Jason Chan
Academy & Affiliate
- Storm Academy: Matt Adamson
- Under 20s Coach: Eric Smith
- Sunshine Coast Falcons Coach: Craig Ingebrigsten
- Easts Tigers Coach: Scott Sipple
Reference: [48]
2016 Squad
As of 20 July 2016
| width=5% | Cap | width=1% | Nat. | width=30% | Player name | width=10% | Position | width=15% | First Storm Game | width=35% | Previous First Grade RL club (a) |
|---|
| 55 |  | Cameron Smith (c) | HK | 2002 | Melbourne Storm |
| 58 | | Billy Slater | FB | 2003 | Melbourne Storm |
| 73 | | Cooper Cronk | HB | 2004 | Melbourne Storm |
| 97 | | Will Chambers | CE | 2007 | Queensland Reds |
| 105 |  | Kevin Proctor | SR | 2008 | Melbourne Storm |
| 119 | | Jesse Bromwich | PR | 2010 | Melbourne Storm |
| 144 | | Tohu Harris | SR,LK,FE | 2013 | Melbourne Storm |
| 147 | | Slade Griffen | HK,LK | 2013 | Melbourne Storm |
| 149 | | Kenny Bromwich | PR,SR,LK | 2013 | Melbourne Storm |
| 150 | | Jordan McLean | PR | 2013 | Melbourne Storm |
| 152 | | Ben Hampton | FE,HB,FB | 2013 | Melbourne Storm |
| 153 | | Tim Glasby | PR,SR | 2013 | Melbourne Storm |
| 154 | | Young Tonumaipea | WG,FB | 2014 | Melbourne Storm |
| 160 | | Cameron Munster | FE,FB,HB,HK | 2014 | Melbourne Storm |
| 161 | | Marika Koroibete | WG | 2014 | Wests Tigers |
| 162 | | Blake Green | FE,HB | 2015 | Wigan Warriors |
| 163 | | Dale Finucane | PR,SR,LK | 2015 | Canterbury Bulldogs |
| 164 | | Felise Kaufusi | PR | 2015 | North Queensland Cowboys |
| 166 | | Nelson Asofa-Solomona | SR, PR | 2015 | Melbourne Storm |
| 167 | | Christian Welch | SR, PR | 2015 | Melbourne Storm |
| 168 | | Richard Kennar | WG | 2015 | Melbourne Storm |
| 170 | | Curtis Scott | CE,WG | 2016 | Cronulla Sharks |
| 171 | | Suliasi Vunivalu | WG | 2016 | Melbourne Storm |
| 172 | | Cheyse Blair | WG,CE | 2016 | Manly Sea Eagles |
| 173 | | Ryan Morgan | CE | 2016 | Parramatta Eels |
| 174 | | Brodie Croft | HB | 2016 | Melbourne Storm |
| 175 | | Matthew White | PR | 2016 | Gold Coast Titans |
| | Mark Nicholls | PR,SR | Yet to Debut | Canberra Raiders |
| | Scott Drinkwater | TBC | Yet to Debut | Sydney Roosters |
|  | Nafe Seluini | TBC | Yet to Debut | Sydney Roosters |
| | Ben Nakubuwai | TBC | Yet to Debut | Melbourne Storm |
| | Dean Britt | TBC | Yet to Debut | Melbourne Storm | |
Player movements
Source:[49]
Losses
Gains
Representative honours
The following players have played a representative match in 2016. (C) = Captain
(a) - Felise Kaufusi was selected as the 18th Man for Queensland in State of Origin Game 3 but did not play.
(b) - includes the AUS vs NZL pre-tournament game to be played in Perth prior to travelling to England
Statistics
Statistics Source:[58] Complete as of the end of the 2016 Regular season, (these stats do not include finals).
| Name | App | T | G | FG | Pts |
|---|
| 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 32 |
| 24 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| 24 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| 14 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 23 | 11 | 0 | 3 | 47 |
| 24 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| 19 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| 21 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| 17 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 24 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 36 |
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 21 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 16 |
| 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 22 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 48 |
| 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| 21 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 16 |
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 21 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 24 |
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 23 | 2 | 83 | 2 | 176 |
| 12 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| 18 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 88 |
| 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 26 Players used | - | 97 | 85 | 5 | 563 | |
|---|
Scorers
Most Points in a Game: 16 points
- Round 17 - Cameron Smith (8 Goals) vs Brisbane Broncos
- Round 24 - Suliasi Vunivalu (4 Tries) vs Manly Sea Eagles
Most tries in a Game: 4
- Round 24 - Suliasi Vunivalu vs Manly Sea Eagles
Winning Games
Highest score in a winning game: 48 points
- Round 17 vs Brisbane Broncos
Lowest score in a winning game: 14 points
- Preliminary Final vs Canberra Raiders
Greatest winning margin: 46 points
- Round 14 vs Sydney Roosters
Greatest number of Games won consecutively: 7
Losing Games
Highest score in a losing game: 16 points
- Round 25 - vs Brisbane Broncos
Lowest score in a losing game: 6 points
- Round 4 - vs Cronulla Sharks
Greatest losing margin: 14 points
- Round 23 - vs Canberra Raiders
Jersey
In November 2015 the Melbourne Storm signed a new 5-year deal with Melbourne-based manufacturer STAR.[59] New Home and Away jerseys have been designed for the upcoming season. The Home jersey is predominantly Navy Blue at the Top and morphing into purple as you move down the jersey, the lightning bolts also make a return on the sides of the jersey. The Away jersey is a striking white top with a Navy Blue and Purple V across the chest.[60]
^ Alternate sponsor logo used due to New Zealand restrictions on gambling advertising.
^^ Added ANZAC Appeal and RSL Centenary logos.
- Designed by Lenny Briggs and Dixon Patten.[61]
% Replica of 2000 World Club Challenge jersey, also worn in Round 5 2000 at the MCG.
&</sup> Women in League jersey — mostly pink and purple design.
Awards
Trophy Cabinet
Melbourne Storm Awards Night
Held at Docklands, Melbourne on Friday 7 October 2016.[62]
Melbourne Storm players walked away from rugby league's Dally M awards on 28 September 2016 with a total of six Dally M awards.[64]
RLPA Awards Night
Rugby League World Golden Boot
On 22 December 2016, Cooper Cronk won the 2016 Rugby League World Golden Boot Award (Worlds best player).[65]
Additional Awards
Notes and References
- Web site: History Melbourne Storm. melbournestorm.com.au. 9 January 2017.
- News: NRL 2016: Inside Craig Bellamy’s brutal bootcamp acid test for Melbourne Storm recruits. Walsh, Dan. Fox Sports. 29 May 2016. 30 April 2020.
- Web site: A short history of Storm at the Nines . melbournestorm.com.au . 3 June 2022 . 11 February 2020.
- Web site: Auckland Nines Draw. NRL.com. 8 March 2016. 9 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160309114738/https://www.nrl.com/draw/aucklandnines/draw/tabid/11600/default.aspx. dead.
- News: Ward. Roy. Caraig Bellamy resigns for 2 more years. The Sydney Morning Herald. 4 March 2016. 8 March 2016.
- News: Ward. Roy. Billy Slater injury leave Ben Ikin worried for future. The Herald Sun. 4 March 2016. 16 March 2016.
- Web site: Healy. Jon. Melbourne Storm remain unbeaten with win over Warriors, St George Illawarra hold off South Sydney: as it happened. ABC News. 21 March 2016.
- Web site: Nicolea. Alan. Melbourne Storm vs Newcastle Knights highlights: Storm record comeback win. The Roar. 2 April 2016. 8 April 2016.
- Web site: Vunivalu becomes #171. Melbourne Storm. 17 April 2016. 25 April 2016.
- The Perfect Start. Television production. Melbourne Storm. Leichhardt, New South Wales, Australia. 18 April 2016.
- News: Ward. Roy. Melbourne Storm again fire in attack in 38-0 thumping of Gold Coast Titans. The Sydney Morning Herald. 1 May 2016. 2 May 2016.
- News: Ward. Roy. Storm winger Marika Koroibete confirms switch to Super Rugby’s Melbourne Rebels. The Herald Sun. 19 May 2016. 19 May 2016.
- Web site: Kennedy. Chris. Storm's Morgan feeling for Eels mates. https://web.archive.org/web/20160625170630/https://m.nrl.com/storms-morgan-feeling-for-eels-mates/tabid/10874/newsid/96226/default.aspx. dead. 25 June 2016. NRL.com. 24 May 2016. 26 May 2016.
- Web site: Kennedy. Chris. Clinical Melbourne Storm walk all over hapless Roosters. Heraldsun.com.au. 12 June 2016. 12 June 2016.
- Web site: Clinical Melbourne Storm walk all over hapless Roosters. nrl.com.au. 25 June 2016. 25 June 2016.
- Web site: White buoyed by Storm debut. MelbourneStorm.com.au. 19 July 2016. 20 July 2016.
- Web site: Cooper Cronk inks new Melbourne Storm deal. NRL.com. 5 August 2016. 5 August 2016. 6 August 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160806152013/http://www.nrl.com/cooper-cronk-inks-new-melbourne-storm-deal/tabid/10874/newsid/99957/default.aspx. dead.
- Web site: Sharks win first ever Premiership. NRL.com. 4 October 2016.
- Web site: 2016 Preseason Fixtures — Melbourne Storm. NRL.com. 18 November 2015. 8 March 2016.
- Web site: Auckland Nines 2016 Results. Flashscore.com. 8 March 2016.
- Web site: Narrow loss for young Storm. Melbourne Storm. 13 February 2016. 10 March 2016.
- Web site: Trial errors not a worry: Green. Melbourne Storm. 21 February 2016. 10 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304085638/https://www.melbournestorm.com.au/content/storm/club/news/2016/02/21/trial_errors_not_a_w.html. 4 March 2016. dead. dmy-all.
- Web site: 2016 Draw. NRL.com. 11 March 2016. 4 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304123059/http://www.nrl.com/draw/telstrapremiership/draw/tabid/11180/s/44/sc/cWOFcqI10800/default.aspx. dead.
- Web site: Melbourne's Round 1 streak continues. NRL.com. 8 March 2016.
- Web site: Storm hammer Titans. NRL.com. 16 March 2016.
- Web site: Storm leave it late to beat Warriors. NRL.com. 20 March 2016.
- Web site: Sharks end Storm hoodoo. NRL.com. 3 April 2016.
- Web site: Storm fight back to beat Knights. NRL.com. 3 April 2016.
- Web site: Bulldogs continue Storm streak. NRL.com. 12 April 2016.
- Web site: Storm clinch Golden Point victory. NRL.com. 19 April 2016.
- Web site: Storm fire in Attack to rout Warriors. NRL.com. 26 April 2016.
- Web site: Storm monster Titans in seven-try slaughter. NRL.com. 1 May 2016.
- Web site: Storm go top with on point win. NRL.com. 15 May 2016.
- Web site: Clinical Storm grind out Eels. NRL.com. 25 May 2016.
- Web site: Forwards lead Storm to victory. NRL.com. 6 June 2016.
- Web site: Roosters overcome by perfect Storm. NRL.com. 12 June 2016.
- Web site: Dragons overcome Satrless Storm. NRL.com. 22 June 2016.
- Web site: Storm survive Tigers Fightback. NRL.com. 26 June 2016.
- Web site: Broncos hit by perfect Storm. NRL.com. 2 July 2016.
- Web site: Storm survive Knights scare . NRL.com. 18 July 2016.
- Web site: Slick Storm overpower Roosters. NRL.com. 25 July 2016.
- Web site: Storm too slick for Cowboys. NRL.com. 31 July 2016.
- Web site: Brave Souths denied by Smith field goal. NRL.com. 8 August 2016.
- Web site: Raiders impressive in victory over Storm. NRL.com. 16 August 2016.
- Web site: Vunivalu scores four as Storm down Sea Eagles. NRL.com. 20 August 2016.
- Web site: Broncos ambush Storm in Melbourne. NRL.com. 29 August 2016.
- Web site: Storm clinch minor premiership. NRL.com. 4 September 2016.
- Web site: Ryles returns to Melbourne Storm . leagueunlimited.com . 27 July 2021.
- Web site: 2016 Player Transfers. 18 December 2014. NRL. 11 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20141216100228/http://www.nrl.com/TelstraPremiership/NewsVideo/2015PlayerTransfers/tabid/10248/Default.aspx. 16 December 2014. dead. dmy-all.
- Web site: Teams named for NRL All Stars match. NRL.com. 15 December 2015. 10 June 2016.
- News: Otto. Tyson. City–Country teams announced for representative round 2016. news.com.au. 2 May 2016. 10 June 2016.
- News: Australia v New Zealand, City v Country, Pacific Tests: teams, injuries, details for rugby league’s representative weekend. The Daily Telegraph. 4 May 2016. 10 June 2016.
- News: League: New caps, new Kiwis captain for Anzac test. The New Zealand Herald. 1 May 2016. 10 June 2016.
- Web site: Pacific Test Teams announced. NRL.com. 1 May 2016. 10 June 2016.
- News: Qld State of Origin Team 2016: Team list, profiles for Kevin Walters’ Maroons side. The Courier-Mail. 30 May 2016. 12 June 2016.
- News: 2016 Kangaroos Four Nations squad. nrl.com. 5 October 2016. 5 October 2016.
- News: Four Nations: New Zealand Kiwis coach David Kidwell names his squad for end of season UK tour. foxsports.com.au. 5 October 2016. 5 October 2016.
- Web site: Melbourne Storm (2016 stats). Total Footy Stats. 10 March 2016.
- Web site: Storm STAR in new apparel partnership. https://web.archive.org/web/20151210215110/https://www.melbournestorm.com.au/news/2015/11/04/storm_star_in_new_ap.html. dead. 10 December 2015. Melbourne Storm. 4 November 2015. 11 March 2016.
- News: Storm unveil 2016 jerseys. https://web.archive.org/web/20151210215702/http://rugbyleagueweek.com.au/storm-unveil-2016-jerseys/. dead. 10 December 2015. Rugby League Week. 5 November 2015. 11 March 2016.
- Web site: 2016 Indigenous jersey on sale . Melbourne Storm . 4 May 2021.
- Web site: Bromwich named Storm’s best for third year . melbournestorm.com.au . 3 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161108162106mp_/https://www.melbournestorm.com.au/news/2016/10/08/bromwich_named_storm.html . 8 November 2016 . 8 October 2023 . dead.
- Web site: Bromwich named Storm's best for 2016 . espn.com.au . 3 October 2023 . 8 October 2016.
- Web site: Dally M Wrap: Storm Edition. melbournestorm.com.au. 29 September 2016.
- Web site: Cronk’s golden end to 2016. melbournestorm.com.au. 22 December 2016.
- News: NRL 2016: Inside Craig Bellamy’s brutal bootcamp acid test for Melbourne Storm recruits. Walsh, Dan. Fox Sports. 29 May 2016. 30 April 2020.
