2019 Melbourne Storm season explained

Year:	2019
Team Colour:	6C0094
Font Colour:	ffd700
League:	NRL
League Rank:	1st (Minor Premier)
League Wins:	20
League Draws:	0
League Losses:	4
Points For:	631
Points Against:	300
Playoff Result:	Preliminary Final Loss
Ceo Title:	CEO
Ceo:	Dave Donaghy
Coach Title:	Coach
Captain:	Cameron Smith (27 Games)
Stadium:	AAMI Park - 30,050 Suncorp Stadium - 52,500 (1 Game)
Avg Attendance:	18,230
High Attendance:	41,612 (at Suncorp Stadium)
Top Tries:	Josh Addo-Carr (14)
Top Goals:	Cameron Smith (99)
Top Points:	Cameron Smith (206)
List:	yes
List Link:	Melbourne Storm#Season summaries

The 2019 Melbourne Storm season was the 22nd in the club's history, competing in the 2019 NRL season. The team was coached by Craig Bellamy, who coached the club for his 17th consecutive season. Melbourne Storm were captained by Cameron Smith, who had been the sole captain for the team since 2008. On 13 July 2019 Smith became the first NRL player to play 400 NRL games. On 31 August 2019 the Storm defeated the Manly Sea Eagles to win their fourth J. J. Giltinan Shield as the minor premiers.

Season summary

• Pre-season – New recruits took part in Melbourne Storm IDQ camp for pre season training before New Years. Tom Eisenhuth was awarded the IDQ Iron bar with special recognition to both Sandor Earl & Nicho Hynes.^[1]
• Round 1 – Prior to the commencement of play, the northern stand of AAMI Park was renamed "The Slater Stand" after Billy Slater. Storm defeated the Broncos 22–12 extending their winning streak in Round 1 to 17 seasons. Tom Eisenhuth makes Storm debut.
• Round 3 – Storm defeat the Panthers 32–2 in Bathurst, Marion Seve scores his first NRL try
• Round 5 – Cameron Smith becomes the game's highest ever points scorer with penalty goal in the 48th minute. Smith finished the game on 2422 points. Sandor Earl made his debut for the Storm and also played his first game following a four year ban from the game.
• Round 9 – The NRL stage their first Magic Round at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium. The Storm completed one of the biggest wins in the club's history dominating the Parramatta Eels 64-10. Will Chambers played game 200.
• Round 11 – The Storm defeat the Bulldogs away at Belmore Oval Sydney with Cameron Smith playing his 500th first grade game. Cameron Munster also played his 100th Game.
• Round 16 – Missing 7 players due to State of Origin, Storm win 16–14 against St George Illawarra. The game was notable due to the large number of milestones; with Cameron Smith scoring his 2500th career point, Sandor Earl played his 50th NRL game, Craig Bellamy coached his 300th win and both Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and Billy Walters making their playing debuts.
• Round 17 – Cameron Smith becomes the first NRL player to play in 400 NRL games in the Storm's 40-16 win over Cronulla.
• Round 19 – Cameron Smith captains his 300th NRL Game.
• Round 22 – The Storm lose to the Canberra Raiders 22–18 after leading 18–0 shortly before half time. This result meant that it was the Storm's worst collapse in the history of the club.^[2]
• Round 24 – Storm defeat the Manly Sea Eagles 36-6 and clinch the J. J. Giltinan Shield as the minor premiers for 2019. Nelson Asofa-Solomaona also played his 100th game.

Milestone games

Round	Player	Milestone
Round 1		Storm debut
Round 2		NRL debut
Round 4		NRL debut
Round 5		Storm debut
Round 5		NRL points scoring record
Round 9		200th Game
Round 11		100th Game
Round 15		100th Game
Round 16		NRL debut
Round 16		NRL debut
Round 16		2500th point
Round 16		50th Game
Round 16		300th win as coach
Round 17		400th Game
Round 20		300th Game as Captain
Round 21		NRL debut
Round 21		50th Game
Round 22		Storm debut
Round 24		100th Game
Prelim Final		150th Game

Fixtures

Pre-season

Source:^[3]

Date	Round	Opponent	Venue	Result	Mel.	Opp.	Source
23 February	Trial		GMHBA Stadium, Geelong		6	12	^[4]
2 March	Trial		BB Print Stadium, Mackay		6	14	^[5]

Regular season

Source:^[6]

• (GP) - Golden Point extra time
• (pen) - Penalty try

Date	Round	Opponent	Venue	Result	Mel.	Opp.	Tries	Goals	Field Goals	Report
14 March	1	Brisbane Broncos	AAMI Park, Melbourne		22	12	J Hughes, C Scott, K Bromwich, J Bromwich	C Smith 3/4		^[7]
22 March	2	Canberra Raiders	GIO Stadium, Canberra		22	10	S Vunivalu (3), N Asofa-Solomona	C Smith 3/5		^[8]
30 March	3	Penrith Panthers	Carrington Park, Bathurst, New South Wales		32	2	C Munster, B Croft, J Addo-Carr, M Seve, J Bromwich	C Smith 6/6, B Croft 0/1		^[9]
7 April	4	Canterbury Bulldogs	AAMI Park, Melbourne		18	16	W Chambers (pen), T Kamikamica, C Munster	C Smith 3/3		^[10]
12 April	5	North Queensland Cowboys	1300SMILES Stadium, Townsville		18	12	J Addo-Carr (2), W Chambers	C Smith 3/5		^[11]
19 April	6	Sydney Roosters	AAMI Park, Melbourne	(GP)	20	21	J Addo-Carr, T Kamikamica, C Scott	B Croft 4/4	B Croft 0/2	^[12]
25 April	7	New Zealand Warriors	AAMI Park, Melbourne		13	12	C Munster, J Hughes	C Munster 2/3	B Croft 1/1	^[13]
3 May	8	Cronulla Sharks	Shark Park, Sydney		18	20	J Addo-Carr, J Bromwich, R Papenhuyzen	C Smith 3/4		^[14]
11 May	9	Parramatta Eels	Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane		64	10	C Munster (2), J Addo-Carr (2), D Finucane, J Hughes, C Scott, S Vunivalu, B Croft, R Papenhuyzen, K Bromwich	C Smith 9/11, W Chambers 1/1		^[15]
16 May	10	Wests Tigers	AAMI Park, Melbourne		24	22	R Papenhuyzen, F Kaufusi, M Seve, W Chambers	C Smith 3/4		^[16]
26 May	11	Canterbury Bulldogs	Belmore Sports Ground, Sydney		28	6	J Addo Carr (2), W Chambers, N Asofa-Solomona	C Smith 5/6, R Papenhuyzen 1/1		^[17]
	12	Bye
8 June	13	New Zealand Warriors	Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland		32	10	J Hughes (2), S Vunivalu, J Bromwich, M Seve	C Smith 6/7		^[18]
15 June	14	Newcastle Knights	AAMI Park, Melbourne		34	4	J Stimson (2), J Addo-Carr, J Hughes, M Seve, S Vunivalu	C Smith 5/5, R Papenhuyzen 0/1		^[19]
28 June	15	Sydney Roosters			14	12	R Papenhuyzen, B Croft	C Smith 3/3		^[20]
4 July	16	St George-Illawarra Dragons	WIN Stadium, Wollongong		16	14	J Stimson, J Hughes	C Smith 4/4		^[21]
13 July	17	Cronulla Sharks	AAMI Park, Melbourne		40	16	B Smith (2), C Munster, B Croft, J Olam, J Stimson	C Smith 8/9		^[22]
21 July	18	Gold Coast Titans	Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast		38	18	S Vunivalu (2), J Stimson, S Earl, R Papenhuyzen, C Smith, J Olam	C Smith 5/6, J Stimson 0/1		^[23]
27 July	19	Manly Sea Eagles	AAMI Park, Melbourne	(GP)	10	11	W Chambers, B Smith	C Smith 1/2	B Croft 0/2, CMunster 0/1, C Smith 0/1	^[24]
2 August	20	Brisbane Broncos	Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane		40	4	K Bromwich (2), J Addo-Carr, C Welch, J Hughes, C Smith, R Papenhuyzen	C Smith 6/9		^[25]
11 August	21		Central Coast Stadium, Gosford		26	16	J Bromwich, J Olam, C Munster, B Croft	C Smith 5/6		^[26]
17 August	22	Canberra Raiders	AAMI Park, Melbourne		18	22	J Olam, J Addo-Carr, S Vunivalu	C Smith 3/3		^[27]
25 August	23	Gold Coast Titans	AAMI Park, Melbourne		24	8	K Bromwich, R Papenhuyzen, J Addo-Carr, D Finucane	C Smith 4/5		^[28]
31 August	24	Manly Sea Eagles	Lottoland, Sydney		36	6	J Olam (3), J Addo-Carr, N Asofa-Solomona, R Papenhuyzen	C Smith 6/7		^[29]
6 September	25	North Queensland Cowboys	AAMI Park, Melbourne		24	16	S Earl, N Asofa-Solomona, W Chambers, M King	C Smith 4/5		^[30]

Finals

Source:^[31]

Date	Round	Opponent	Venue	Result	Mel.	Opp.	Tries	Goals	Field Goals	Report
14 September	Week 1 - Qualifying Final		AAMI Park, Melbourne		10	12	S Vunivalu	C Smith 3/4		^[32]
21 September	Week 2 - Semi Final	Parramatta Eels	AAMI Park, Melbourne		32	0	J Addo-Carr (2), S Vunivalu, C Munster, J Hughes, R Papenhuyzen, N Asofa-Solomona	C Smith 1/6, R Papenhuyzen 1/1, C Munster 0/1		^[33]
28 September	Week 3 - Preliminary Final	Sydney Roosters	Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney		6	14	N Asofa-Solomona	C Smith 1/1		^[34]

Ladder

Coaching staff

• Craig Bellamy – Head Coach^[35]
• Jason Ryles – Senior Assistant Coach
• Marc Brentnall – Assistant Coach
• Ben Jack – U/20s Head Coach
• Aaron Bellamy – Development Coach
• Ryan Hinchcliffe – Development Coach
• Frank Ponissi – Football Director
• Ryan Hoffman – Football Administration Coordinator
• Nick Maxwell – Leadership Coach
• Craig McRae – Kicking & Catching Coach
• Billy Slater – Specialist Coach (Part time)
• Scott Sipple – Easts Tigers Feeder Club Coach
• Craig Ingebrigtsen – Sunshine Coast Falcons Feeder Club Coach

2019 Squad

List current as of 24 March 2019(a): This column denotes the previous RL club the player was signed to and played first grade RL for. If they are yet to debut then this is stipulated. If they were merely signed to the club but did not play then it is not counted.

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 (a)
55		Cameron Smith (c)	HK	2002	Melbourne Storm
97		Will Chambers	CE	2007	Melbourne Storm
119		Jesse Bromwich	PR	2010	Melbourne Storm
149		Kenny Bromwich	PR,SR,LK	2013	Melbourne Storm
160		Cameron Munster	FE,FB	2014	Melbourne Storm
163		Dale Finucane	PR,SR,LK	2015	Canterbury Bulldogs
164		Felise Kaufusi	PR	2015	Melbourne Storm
166		Nelson Asofa-Solomona	SR, PR	2015	Melbourne Storm
167		Christian Welch	SR, PR	2015	Melbourne Storm
170		Curtis Scott	CE,WG	2016	Melbourne Storm
171		Suliasi Vunivalu	WG	2016	Melbourne Storm
174		Brodie Croft	HB	2016	Melbourne Storm
176		Josh Addo-Carr	WG, FB	2017	Wests Tigers
179		Joe Stimson	SR, LK	2017	Melbourne Storm
181		Tui Kamikamica	SR, PR	2017	Melbourne Storm
182		Brandon Smith	HK	2017	Melbourne Storm
184		Jahrome Hughes	FE, FB	2017	North Queensland Cowboys
187		Justin Olam	WG, CE	2018	Melbourne Storm
188		Harry Grant	HK	2018	Melbourne Storm
190		Albert Vete	PR	2018	New Zealand Warriors
192		Tom Eisenhuth	SR	2019	Penrith Panthers
193		Marion Seve	WG	2019	Melbourne Storm
194		Ryan Papenhuyzen	FB	2019	Melbourne Storm
195		Sandor Earl	WG	2019	Canberra Raiders
196		Billy Walters	FE	2019	Melbourne Storm
197		Tino Fa'asuamaleaui	PR	2019	Melbourne Storm
198		Nicho Hynes	FB	2019	Melbourne Storm
199		Max King	PR	2019	Gold Coast Titans
		Kayleb Milne	SR	Yet to debut	Melbourne Storm
		Cooper Johns	FE	Yet to debut	Melbourne Storm
		Solomone Kata	CE	Yet to debut	New Zealand Warriors
		Isaac Lumelume	WG	Yet to debut	Cronulla Sharks
		Aaron Pene	PR	Yet to debut	Central Queensland Capras
		Darryn Schonig	PR	Yet to debut	Sunshine Coast Falcons

Player movements

Source:^[36]

Losses

• Cheyse Blair to Castleford Tigers (mid season)
• Scott Drinkwater to North Queensland Cowboys (mid season)
• Louis Geraghty to Gold Coast Titans
• Tim Glasby to Newcastle Knights
• Ryan Hoffman to Retired
• Ryley Jacks to Gold Coast Titans
• Sam Kasiano to Catalans Dragons (mid season)
• Billy Slater to Retired
• Lachlan Timm to Gold Coast Titans
• Sale Finau to Newcastle Knights
• Junior Ratuva to Canterbury Crusaders
• Patrick Kaufusi to St George Illawarra Dragons (mid season)

Gains

• Nicho Hynes from Sunshine Coast Falcons
• Solomone Kata from New Zealand Warriors (mid season)
• Max King from Gold Coast Titans (mid season)
• Isaac Lumelume from Cronulla Sharks (mid season)

Representative honours

The following players have played a first grade representative match in 2019.

Statistics

Statistics Source:^[39] Statistics current as of the end of the 2019 NRL regular season (this table does not include finals matches)

Name	Appearances	Tries	Goals	Field Goals	Points
	20	14	0	0	56
	24	4	0	0	16
	24	5	0	0	20
	24	5	0	0	20
	21	6	1	0	26
	22	5	4	1	29
	5	2	0	0	8
	4	0	0	0	0
	5	0	0	0	0
	23	2	0	0	8
	1	0	0	0	0
	21	8	0	0	32
	1	0	0	0	0
	18	2	0	0	8
	22	1	0	0	4
	1	0	0	0	0
	3	1	0	0	4
	21	7	2	0	32
	11	7	0	0	28
	19	8	1	0	34
	7	3	0	0	12
	12	4	0	0	16
	20	3	0	0	12
	24	2	99	0	206
	13	5	0	0	20
	22	9	0	0	36
	2	0	0	0	0
	16	1	0	0	4
	1	0	0	0	0
29 Players used	—	104	107	1	631

Scorers

Most Points in a Game: 18 points

• Round 9: Cameron Smith (9 Goals) vs Parramatta Eels

Most tries in a Game: 3

• Round 2: Suliasi Vunivalu vs. Canberra Raiders
• Round 24: Justin Olam vs. Manly Sea Eagles

Winning Games

Highest score in a winning game: 64 points

• Round 9: vs. Parramatta Eels

Lowest score in a winning game: 13 points

• Round 7 vs. New Zealand Warriors

Greatest winning margin: 54 points

• Round 9: vs. Parramatta Eels

Greatest number of Games won consecutively: 9

• Round 9 to Round 18

Losing Games

Highest score in a losing game: 20 points

• Round 6: vs. Sydney Roosters

Lowest score in a losing game: 10 points

• Round 19: vs. Manly Sea Eagles

Greatest losing margin: 4 points

• Round 22: vs. Canberra Raiders

Jersey

On 7 February the Storm announced that the 2019 Jersey will remain the same from 2018 however with updated NRL logos and the new 2019 Melbourne Storm logo. In addition the jersey now features the new Storm sponsor Purple Bricks.^[40]

1. Designed by Lenny Briggs.^[41]
   

^ Special jersey designed for Cameron Smith's 400th NRL game.
^^ Heritage jersey inspired by the 2009 home jersey; celebrating both the 1999 NRL Grand Final premiership and 2009 NRL Grand Final winning teams.
^& Women in League jersey featuring pink thunderbolts motif.</sup>

Awards

Trophy Cabinet

• 2019 J. J. Giltinan Shield
• 2019 Michael Moore Trophy

Melbourne Storm Awards Night

Held at Crown Palladium, Melbourne on Tuesday 8 October.^[42]

• Melbourne Storm Player of the Year: Dale Finucane^[43]
• Billy Slater Rookie of the Year: Ryan Papenhuyzen
• Melbourne Storm Members' Player of Year: Cameron Smith
• Melbourne Storm Most Improved: Tui Kamikamica
• Melbourne Storm Best Back: Jahrome Hughes
• Melbourne Storm Best Forward: Cameron Smith
• Cooper Cronk Feeder Club Player of the Year: Harry Grant
• Darren Bell U20s Player of the Year: Trent Toelau
• Greg Brentnall Young Achievers Award:
• Mick Moore Club Person of the Year:
• Life Member Inductee: Will Chambers
• Chairman's Award:
• Best Try: Josh Addo-Carr Semi-Final vs Eels

Dally M Awards Night

Held at The Star, Sydney on Wednesday 2 October 2019.

• Dally M Coach of the Year: Craig Bellamy
• Dally M Captain of the Year: Cameron Smith
• Dally M Hooker of the Year: Cameron Smith
• Dally M Five-Eight of the Year: Cameron Munster
• Dally M Interchange Player of the Year: Brandon Smith

Rugby League Players’ Association Awards Night

• RLPA Indigenous Academic Excellence Award: Josh Addo-Carr
• RLPA Five-Eighth of the Year: Cameron Munster
• RLPA Hooker of the Year: Cameron Smith
• RLPA Second Rower of the Year: Kenny Bromwich

Additional Awards

• I Don't Quit Iron Bar: Tom Eisenhuth^[44]
• Spirit of ANZAC Medal: Cameron Smith
• NSWRL True Blue Award: Josh Addo-Carr

Notes and References

1. News: Ryan Hinchcliffe back at Storm and straight into 'I Don't Quit' camp. Ward, Roy. Sydney Morning Herald. 19 December 2018. 30 April 2019.
2. Web site: Raiders pull off incredible come back to stun Storm. NRL. 17 August 2019. en. 2019-08-24.
3. Web site: 2019 pre-season trial dates. 9 November 2018.
4. Web site: Warriors win pre-season arm wrestle against Storm. 22 February 2019. 1 March 2019.
5. Web site: Cowbays grind out tough trial win over Storm. 2 March 2019. 3 March 2019.
6. Web site: 2019 NRL Draw. 25 October 2018.
7. Web site: Bromwich boys spark Storm as Broncos lose Roberts. 14 March 2019. 15 March 2019.
8. Web site: Vunivalu bags hat-trick as Storm beat Raiders. 22 March 2019. 23 March 2019.
9. Web site: Edwards nightmare helps Storm sizzle in the central west. 30 March 2019. 31 March 2019.
10. Web site: Storm v Bulldogs. 11 April 2019.
11. Web site: Cowboys vs Storm. 15 April 2019.
12. Web site: Storm v Roosters - Round 6, 2019 - Match Centre. National Rugby League. en. 2019-04-22.
13. Web site: Storm v Warriors. NRL. en. 2019-04-26.
14. Web site: Sharks vs Storm. NRL. en. 2019-05-12.
15. Web site: Storm v Eels. NRL. en. 2019-05-12.
16. Web site: Storm v Wests Tigers. NRL. en. 2019-05-17.
17. Web site: Bulldogs v Storm. NRL. en. 2019-05-30.
18. Web site: Warriors v Storm. NRL. en. 2019-06-11.
19. Web site: Storm v Knights. NRL. en. 2019-06-16.
20. Web site: Roosters v Storm. NRL. en. 2019-07-04.
21. Web site: Dragons v Storm. NRL. en. 2019-07-04.
22. Web site: Storm v Sharks. NRL. en. 2019-07-14.
23. Web site: Titans v Storm. NRL. en. 2019-07-21.
24. Web site: Storm v Sea Eagles. NRL. en. 2019-08-03.
25. Web site: Broncos v Storm. NRL. en. 2019-08-03.
26. Web site: Rabbitohs v Storm. NRL. en. 2019-08-12.
27. Web site: Raiders pull off incredible come back to stun Storm. NRL. en. 2019-08-12.
28. Web site: Storm vs Titans. NRL. en. 2019-08-27.
29. Web site: Sea Eagles vs Storm. NRL. en. 2019-08-31.
30. Web site: Storm vs Cowboys. NRL. en. 2019-09-08.
31. Web site: Week 1 finals draw, match-ups. 2019-09-08.
32. Web site: Storm v Raiders. NRL. en. 2019-10-27.
33. Web site: Storm v Eels. NRL. en. 2019-10-27.
34. Web site: Roosters V Storm. NRL. en. 2019-10-27.
35. Web site: Storm announce 2019 Football department structure. 5 October 2018. 9 October 2018.
36. Web site: NRL Transfer Centre. 4 December 2018. 4 January 2019.
37. Web site: Storm players ready to rip in for rep round. 17 June 2019.
38. Web site: Test match teams: Samoa v Fiji, Great Britain v NZ, Australia v Tonga. November 2019.
39. Web site: 2019 Melbourne Point Scorers. afltables.com. 23 March 2019.
40. Web site: An update on our 2019 jerseys. 7 February 2019. 23 March 2019.
41. Web site: The story behind our Indigenous jersey. 22 May 2019. 3 May 2021.
42. Web site: Finucane named Player of the Year . melbournestorm.com.au . 8 October 2019 . 22 June 2021.
43. Web site: Dale Finucane - 'To be held in similar regard to previous winners is surreal'. melbournestorm.com.au . 22 June 2021.
44. News: Ryan Hinchcliffe back at Storm and straight into 'I Don't Quit' camp. Ward, Roy. Sydney Morning Herald. 19 December 2018. 30 April 2019.