2021 Melbourne Storm season explained

Year:	2021
Team Colour:	592B8C
Font Colour:	ffd700
League:	NRL
League Rank:	1st (Minor Premier)
League Wins:	21
League Draws:	0
League Losses:	3
Points For:	815
Points Against:	316
Playoff Result:	Preliminary Final Loss
Ceo Title:	CEO
Ceo:	Ashley Tucker (interim) Justin Rodski
Coach Title:	Coach
Captain:	Jesse Bromwich (21 Games) Dale Finucane (4 Games)
Stadium:	AAMI Park - 30,050 (5 games) Cbus Super Stadium - 27,400 (1 game) Suncorp Stadium - 52,500 (3 games) Sunshine Coast Stadium - 12,000 (3 games)
Avg Attendance:	14,285
High Attendance:	20,320 (Round 7)
Top Tries:	Josh Addo-Carr (23)
Top Goals:	Nicho Hynes (58)
Top Points:	Ryan Papenhuyzen (157)
List:	yes
List Link:	Melbourne Storm#Season summaries

The 2021 Melbourne Storm season was the 24th in the club's history competing in the 2021 NRL season. The team is coached by Craig Bellamy, coaching the club for his 19th consecutive season. On 19 February 2021, the Melbourne Storm announced that Jesse Bromwich and Dale Finucane succeeded Cameron Smith, as co-captains of the club.^[1]

The season was again affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia, with the club forced to relocate to Queensland for much of the season.

Melbourne claimed the J. J. Giltinan Shield for the fifth time as minor premiers, setting a number of club records (21 wins; 815 points). Melbourne tied the league record for most consecutive wins with 19 victories between rounds 4-23.

In a rematch of the 2020 NRL Grand Final, second placed Penrith Panthers knocked Melbourne out of the 2021 NRL finals in the preliminary final, ending hopes of back-to-back premierships.

Season summary

• World Club Challenge – On 20 November 2020, it was announced that the World Club challenge (which the Storm would be competing in) would be postponed until later in 2021, owing to the push back of seasons due to COVID-19 and the ongoing pandemic itself preventing overseas travel. Articles later in 2021 confirmed that it has been cancelled and the 2022 challenge is also under a cloud.^{[2] [3]}
• 12 February – Seven Melbourne players (Josh Addo-Carr, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Jesse Bromwich, Kenneath Bromwich, Jahrome Hughes, Brandon Smith and Reimis Smith) are forced to withdraw from the 2021 All Stars match due to a Victoria COVID-19 border closure.^[4]
• 18 February – Due to the possibility of travel restrictions, Newcastle Knights refuse to travel to Melbourne for their scheduled pre-season trial game at Casey Fields, with the match relocated to Albury.^[5]
• 19 February – The club announces that Jesse Bromwich and Dale Finucane have succeeded Cameron Smith, as co-captains of the club.^[1]
• 10 March – Cameron Smith officially announces his retirement from the game. This was done at a ceremony unveiling statues of himself and also Billy Slater at AAMI Park.^[6]
• Round 1 – The Storm open the 2021 NRL season with a win against South Sydney Rabbitohs at AAMI Park. This continued the streak of not having lost a Round 1 game since the 2001 NRL season. Tyson Smoothy also made his NRL debut.^[7]
• Round 4 – After two straight losses, the Storm demolish the Broncos 40–6. Ryan Papenhuyzen scored four tries in 11 minutes to equal the club record for the most scored in a single game, he also scored 5 goals and with a combined points total of 26, put him in second place for club record for the most points scored in a game. Christian Welch played his 100th NRL game and Trent Loiero made his debut.
• Round 7 – Melbourne retain the Michael Moore Trophy winning 42–20 against the Warriors. George Jennings is substituted after 12 minutes due to concussion resulting from foul play, with Chris Lewis activated as a reserve player under the new NRL 18th man rule.^[8]
• Round 9 – Josh Addo-Carr scores a club record six tries in a game, becoming the first player in 71 years to score 6 tries in a first grade game in Australia.^[9]
• Round 10 – Melbourne host St George Illawarra at Suncorp Stadium during day three of the 2021 NRL Magic Round. Dragons centre Tyrell Fuimaono is sent off for a high tackle on Ryan Papenhuyzen who is left heavily concussed, with Dean Ieremia coming on as 18th man.^[10]
• 28 May – Storm announce that their Round 13 match had been moved to Sunshine Coast Stadium due to a COVID-19 outbreak in Melbourne. The club had been staying for a mid-season camp at their 2020 home away from home since just before Round 10.^[11]
• Round 13 – Reimis Smith is the first player sent to the sin bin from the Storm for the season, after a high tackle on Titans' Jaimin Jolliffe.^[12]
• 8 June – Storm announce that their Round 15 match has also been moved to Sunshine Coast Stadium.^[13]
• 10 June – Storm sign former Parramatta forward Tepai Moeroa from the NSW Waratahs, where he had been playing rugby union since 2020.^[14]
• 25 June – Sydney Roosters move their Round 16 home game against Melbourne to McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle, due to a COVID-19 outbreak in Sydney.^[15]
• 29 June – After 46 days away, Storm return home to Melbourne after checking out of their extended Sunshine Coast stay.^{[16] [17]}
• Round 16 – Melbourne score 40+ points for the 10th time for the season, the first team to achieve that feat in Australian first grade rugby league.^[18]
• 14 July – Melbourne announce that they have broken the membership record, signing up over 27,000 members.^[19]
• 15 July – A COVID-19 outbreak in Victoria, saw the club forced to again relocate to Queensland, with the venue for the Round 18 game against Newcastle changed to CBus Super Stadium.^{[20] [21] [22]}
• Round 18 – Melbourne Storm score their 14th consecutive win with a 48 - 4 thrashing of the Newcastle Knights. The win was notable because they broke an 86 year old Rugby League record in the process, surpassing the Sydney Roosters’ 1935 record for the most points scored after 17 games in one year. At the end of the game the Storm points for was 632 the 1935 Roosters was 614.^[23]
• 23 July – The NRL confirm that Melbourne's Round 20 (home) and 21 (away) games will be played at Suncorp Stadium with the entire competition based in Queensland.^[24]
• Round 19 – The Storm defeat the Cowboys in a close game by four points to win their 15th consecutive game and equal the club record for the most consecutive wins. Josh Addo-Carr also scored his 100th NRL try.
• 25 July – Club co-captain Dale Finucane announces that he will leave the Melbourne Storm at seasons end and join Cronulla Sharks in 2022 on a 4-year contract.^[25]
• 26 July – Nicho Hynes is nominated as the club representative for the NRL's Ken Stephen Medal for his work with young Indigenous children and as an ambassador for the Starlight Foundation.^[26]
• 27 July – Head coach Craig Bellamy agrees to a new long-term deal with the club to stay as coach in 2022, with a flexible role contract in place until the end of the 2026 NRL season.^{[27] [28]}
• 30 July – Ryan Papenhuyzen signs a new contract to stay with Melbourne until the end of the 2025 NRL season.^[29]
• Round 20 – Melbourne defeat the Penrith Panthers to score their 16th straight win and set a new club record for the most consecutive wins. Ryan Papenhuyzen also played his 50th Game. The other notable aspect of the win was that at the end of the game the Storm points differential was 465 points, the largest in Australian rugby league history.^[30]
• 3 August – Reports surface that Melbourne Storm Chairman Matt Tripp put forward a proposal to the NRL to shift the 2021 NRL Grand Final to the MCG for a $10m fee.^{[31] [32]}
• 6 August – forward Felise Kaufusi extends his contract with the club until the end of the 2022 season.^[33]
• Round 21 – Melbourne speed past 700 points scored in the regular season for only the second time in club history, passing the previous best of 704 from 2001. Tepai Moeroa makes his Storm debut, his first NRL game since playing against Melbourne in the 2019 NRL finals.
• Round 22 – Melbourne Storm score their 18th consecutive win, 26–16 over Canberra and in doing so set a new club record for the most points scored in a season (surpassing 2004's 733 points in 26 games including finals).^[34]
• 17 August – Jordan Grant signs a contract to join the top-30 squad from 2022, while Isaac Lumelume signs on to extend his contract with the club. Melbourne also announce the signing of Bronson Garlick on a development contact.^[35]
• Round 23 – With their 19th straight victory, Melbourne equal the record of the 1975 Easts team for the longest winning streak Australian rugby league history.^[36] Captain Jesse Bromwich wins his 200th first grade game in his 269th appearance, to become the fastest person to win 200 games. In his first Storm game since 2019, Marion Seve scores a try as Melbourne score 30+ points for the 14th time for the 2021 season. In addition, Josh Addo-Carr's two tries increased his season total to 23, equaling the club record for most tries scored in a season.
• Round 24 – Parramatta Eels inflict Melbourne's first loss since March, ending the 19-game winning streak. The loss is Melbourne's first in Queensland since 2017, a stretch of 29 matches.
• 30 August – Christian Welch, Jahrome Hughes, Brandon Smith and Nicho Hynes are nominated for the RLPA's Players' Champion Award for the 2021 season.^{[37] [38]}
• Round 25 – Melbourne secure their fifth J. J. Giltinan Shield, defeating Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks to take the minor premiership on points difference ahead of Penrith. It is the eighth time the club has finished atop the NRL ladder. Daniel Atkinson makes his NRL debut, after only two Queensland Cup games; while captain Dale Finucane plays his 150th game for the club.^[39]
• Finals Week 1 – Melbourne Storm defeat the Manly Sea Eagles to earn a bye and progress directly to the Week 3 - Preliminary finals. Ryan Papenhuyzen scores 24 points including the clubs first 2-point field goal.
• Finals Week 3 – In a rematch of the 2020 NRL Grand Final, Penrith defeat Melbourne 10–6 at Suncorp Stadium, the club's first loss in a finals game at the venue. Early injuries to Christian Welch and Brandon Smith proving costly in what was Dale Finucane, Josh Addo-Carr and Nicho Hynes' last game for the club. The defeat ending hopes of a back-to-back premiership.
• 27 September – Craig Bellamy wins his sixth Coach of the Year award at the 2021 Dally M Awards. Justin Olam and Brandon Smith both make the Dally M Team of the Year for the first time.^[40]
• 28 September – It is confirmed by CEO Justin Rodski that the NRL Integrity Unit is investigating Cameron Munster, Brandon Smith and Chris Lewis after video emerged on social media of the trio partying following the club's elimination from the NRL finals.^[41]
• 5 October – The NRL issues breach notices to Cameron Munster, Brandon Smith and Chris Lewis following the NRL Integrity Unit investigation. All three players are alleged to have brought the game into disrepute and are sanctioned with one-match suspensions and varying fines. The club also enforces additional penalties including suspended fines, removal from leadership groups, and additional behavioral measures.^{[42] [43] [44]}
• 20 December – The NRL formally stands down Tui Kamikamica under the league's no-fault stand-down policy, due to pending assault occasioning bodily harm charges against the Fijian. Kamikamica was earlier stood down by the club when news of the charges emerged in November, but was allowed to return to training.^[45]

Milestone games

Round	Player	Milestone
Round 1		Storm debut
Round 1		Storm debut
Round 1		NRL debut
Round 2		250th Game
Round 4		100th Game
Round 4		NRL debut
Round 8		NRL debut
Round 12		50th Game
Round 18		50th Game
Round 18		50th Game
Round 18		NRL debut
Round 19		100th NRL try
Round 20		50th Game
Round 21		Storm debut
Round 24		150th Game
Round 25		NRL debut
Qualifying Final	Cameron Munster	150th Game

Fixtures

Pre-season

Source:^[46]

Date	Round	Opponent	Venue	Result	Mel.	Opp.	Source
20 February	Trial	New Zealand Warriors	Dolphin Stadium, Redcliffe	Match cancelled			^[47]
27 February	Trial	Newcastle Knights	Albury Sports Ground, Albury	Win	30	10	^[48]

Regular season

Source:^[49]

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

Date	Round	Opponent	Home/Away	Venue	Result	Mel.	Opp.	Tries	Goals	Field goals	Report
11 March	1		Home	AAMI Park, Melbourne		26	18	R Papenhuyzen (2), C Munster, J Olam	R Papenhuyzen 5/6		^[50]
18 March	2	Parramatta Eels	Away	Bankwest Stadium, Parramatta		12	16	R Smith, J Olam	R Papenhuyzen 2/2		^[51]
25 March	3		Away	BlueBet Stadium, Penrith		10	12	B Smith, J Addo-Carr	C Munster 1/2		^[52]
2 April	4		Home	AAMI Park, Melbourne		40	6	R Papenhuyzen (4), G Jennings (2), C Munster	R Papenhuyzen 5/7, J Addo-Carr 1/1		^[53]
10 April	5		Away	Stadium Australia, Sydney		52	18	F Kaufusi, J Hughes, C Welch, T Kamikamica, G Jennings, R Papenhuyzen, J Olam, J Addo-Carr, N Hynes	R Papenhuyzen 8/9		^[54]
16 April	6		Home	AAMI Park, Melbourne		20	4	J Hughes, R Papenhuyzen, H Grant	C Munster 0/1, R Papenhuyzen 4/5		^[55]
25 April	7		Home	AAMI Park, Melbourne		42	20	R Smith (2), J Addo-Carr (2), G Jennings, F Kaufusi, N Hynes, J Olam	C Munster 5/8		^[56]
30 April	8		Home	AAMI Park, Melbourne		40	14	R Smith (3), J Addo-Carr, T Eisenhuth, T Kamikamica, J Hughes, B Smith	C Munster 4/8, N Hynes 0/1		^[57]
6 May	9		Away	Stadium Australia, Sydney		50	0	J Addo-Carr (6), G Jennings (2), J Hughes, B Smith	C Munster 5/10		^[58]
16 May	10		Home	Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane		44	18	J Addo-Carr (3), K Bromwich, D Ieremia, N Asofa-Solomona, J Hughes, J Olam, G Jennings	T Smoothy 3/5, N Hynes 1/4		^[59]
22 May	11		Away	GIO Stadium, Canberra		34	10	N Asofa-Solomona (2), C Lewis, R Smith, T Eisenhuth, T Loiero	N Hynes 5/6		^[60]
27 May	12		Away	Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane		40	12	B Smith (2), T Kamikamica, J Addo-Carr, G Jennings, C Johns, N Hynes	N Hynes 6/7		^[61]
5 June	13		Home	Sunshine Coast Stadium, Sunshine Coast		20	14	R Smith, B Smith, T Loiero, G Jennings	N Hynes 2/4		^[62]
13 June	14	New Zealand Warriors	Away	Central Coast Stadium, Gosford		42	16	D Ieremia, B Smith, J Addo-Carr, J Hughes, J Olam, H Grant, T Eisenhuth	N Hynes 7/8		^[63]
19 June	15	Wests Tigers	Home	Sunshine Coast Stadium, Sunshine Coast		66	16	R Smith (2), J Hughes (2), B Smith, N Hynes, C Munster, D Finucane, N Asofa-Solomona, F Kaufusi, T Eisenhuth, H Grant	N Hynes 9/12		^[64]
1 July	16		Away	McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle		46	0	J Addo-Carr (3), N Hynes, D Finucane, K Bromwich, C Munster, B Smith	N Hynes 7/9		^[65]
10 July	17	Bye
17 July	18		Home	Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast		48	4	J Olam (2), G Jennings (2), C Munster, N Hynes, J Hughes, R Smith	N Hynes 8/8		^[66]
23 July	19		Away	Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville		20	16	J Addo-Carr (2), J Olam, R Smith	N Hynes 2/4		^[67]
1 August	20		Home	Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane		37	10	D Ieremia (3), R Smith, J Bromwich, H Grant,	C Munster 1/1, N Hynes 1/2, R Papenhuyzen 4/4	R Papenhuyzen 1/1	^[68]
7 August	21	Manly Sea Eagles	Away	Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane		28	18	J Olam (2), K Bromwich, C Munster	R Papenhuyzen 4/4, N Hynes 2/3		^[69]
12 August	22		Home	Sunshine Coast Stadium, Sunshine Coast		26	16	B Smith, D Ieremia, C Lewis	N Hynes 4/4, R Papenhuyzen 3/3		^[70]
19 August	23		Away	Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast		34	20	J Addo-Carr (2), M Seve, H Grant, C Munster, N Hynes	R Papenhuyzen 5/6		^[71]
28 August	24		Home			10	22	R Smith, I Lumelume	R Papenhuyzen 1/2		^[72]
3 September	25	Cronulla Sutherland Sharks	Away	Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast		28	16	R Papenhuyzen (3), B Smith, M Seve	N Hynes 4/6		^[73]

Finals

Source:^[74]

Date	Round	Opponent	Venue	Result	Mel.	Opp.	Tries	Goals	Field Goals	Report
10 September	Week 1 - Qualifying Final		Sunshine Coast Stadium, Sunshine Coast		40	12	R Papenhuyzen (2), I Lumelume, K Bromwich, C Welch, J Olam	R Papenhuyzen 7/8	R Papenhuyzen 1/1 (2pt)		^[75]
25 September	Week 3 - Preliminary Final		Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane		6	10	R Papenhuyzen	R Papenhuzen 1/1		^[76]

Ladder

See main article: 2021 NRL season.

Coaching staff

• Craig Bellamy – Head Coach^[77]
• Stephen Kearney – Assistant Coach
• Marc Brentnall – Assistant Coach
• Aaron Bellamy – Development Coach
• Ryan Hinchcliffe – Development Coach
• Frank Ponissi – Football Director
• Ryan Hoffman – Football Administration Coordinator
• Craig McRae – Kicking & Catching Coach
• Billy Slater – Specialist Coach (Part-time)
• Cooper Cronk - Halves Coach (Part-time)^[78]
• Tim Glasby - Recruitment Officer and Pathways Manager
• Ben Jack – Victoria Thunderbolts (Under-21s) Head Coach
• Jon Buchanan – Easts Tigers Feeder Club Coach
• Sam Mahwinney – Sunshine Coast Falcons Feeder Club Coach

2021 squad

List current as of 14 June 2021

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
119		Jesse Bromwich	PR	2010	Melbourne Storm
149		Kenneath 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
176		Josh Addo-Carr	WG	2017	Wests Tigers
177		Ryley Jacks	FE	2017	Gold Coast Titans
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
192		Tom Eisenhuth	SR	2019	Penrith Panthers
193		Marion Seve	WG	2019	Melbourne Storm
194		Ryan Papenhuyzen	FB	2019	Melbourne Storm
198		Nicho Hynes	FB, FE	2019	Melbourne Storm
199		Max King	PR	2019	Gold Coast Titans
align=center	200		Brenko Lee	CE	2020	Gold Coast Titans
201		Chris Lewis	SR	2020	Melbourne Storm
203		Darryn Schonig	PR	2020	Melbourne Storm
204		Cooper Johns	FE	2020	Melbourne Storm
205		Isaac Lumelume	WG	2020	Melbourne Storm
207		Aaron Pene	PR	2020	Melbourne Storm
208		Aaron Booth	HK	2020	Melbourne Storm
209		George Jennings	WG	2021	Parramatta Eels
210		Reimis Smith	WG	2021	Canterbury Bulldogs
211		Tyson Smoothy	HK	2021	Melbourne Storm
212		Trent Loiero	SR	2021
213		Dean Ieremia	WG	2021
214		Jordan Grant	PR	2021	Melbourne Storm
215		Tepai Moeroa	SR,LK	2021
216		Daniel Atkinson	HB	2021	Melbourne Storm
		Jack Howarth	SR	Yet to debut
		Judda Turahui	LK	Yet to debut
		Jonah Pezet	HB	Yet to debut	Melbourne Storm
		Tyran Wishart	FE, HK	Yet to debut	Melbourne Storm
		Tagiolupe Tivalu	PR	Yet to debut
		Sualauvi Fa'alogo	FB	Yet to debut

Player movements

Source:^{[79] [80]}

Losses

• Sandor Earl to Retirement
• Tino Fa'asuamaleaui to Gold Coast Titans
• Ricky Leutele to Huddersfield Giants
  • Paul Momirovski to Wests Tigers Cameron Smith to Retirement
  • Kelma Tuilagi to Wests Tigers Albert Vete to Hull Kingston Rovers
• Suliasi Vunivalu to Queensland Reds, Super Rugby

Gains

• • Harry Grant from Wests Tigers George Jennings from Parramatta Eels
• Reimis Smith from Canterbury Bulldogs

Representative honours

This table lists all players who have played a representative match in 2021.

Player	State of Origin 1^[81] ^[82]	State of Origin 2^[83] ^[84]	State of Origin 3^[85] ^[86] ^[87]
	New South Wales	New South Wales	New South Wales
Dale Finucane	–	–	New South Wales
Harry Grant	Queensland	–	–
Felise Kaufusi	Queensland	Queensland	Queensland
Cameron Munster	Queensland	Queensland	Queensland
Christian Welch	Queensland	Queensland	Queensland

Statistics

This table contains playing statistics for all Melbourne Storm players to have played in the 2021 NRL season.

• Statistics sources:^{[88] [89]}

Name	Appearances	Tries	Goals	Field goals	Points
	22	23	1	0	94
	17	4	0	0	16
	1	0	0	0	0
	5	0	0	0	0
	24	1	0	0	4
	21	3	0	0	12
	17	4	0	0	16
	17	2	0	0	8
	15	5	0	0	20
	3	0	0	0	0
	24	9	0	0	36
	24	7	58	0	144
	10	6	0	0	24
	1	0	0	0	0
	18	11	0	0	44
	5	1	0	0	4
	22	3	0	0	12
	20	3	0	0	12
	20	2	0	0	8
	6	2	0	0	8
	3	2	0	0	8
	4	0	0	0	0
	20	7	16	0	60
	25	12	0	0	48
	15	14	49	1/1	157
	9	0	0	0	0
	1	0	0	0	0
	2	2	0	0	8
	24	11	0	0	44
	25	14	0	0	56
	4	0	3	0	6
	21	2	0	0	8
32 players used	—	151	127	1/1	861

Scorers

Most points in a game: 26 points

• Round 4 - Ryan Papenhuyzen (4 Tries, 5 Goals) vs Brisbane Broncos

Most tries in a game: 6

• Round 9 - Josh Addo-Carr vs South Sydney Rabbitohs

Winning games

Highest score in a winning game: 66 points

• Round 15 vs Wests Tigers

Lowest score in a winning game: 20 points

• Round 6 vs Sydney Roosters
• Round 13 vs Gold Coast Titans
• Round 19 vs North Queensland Cowboys

Greatest winning margin: 50 points

• Round 9 vs South Sydney Rabbitohs
• Round 15 vs Wests Tigers

Greatest number of games won consecutively: 19

• Round 4 - Round 23

Losing games

Highest score in a losing game: 12 points

• Round 2 vs Parramatta Eels

Lowest score in a losing game: 6 points

• Preliminary Final vs Penrith Panthers

Greatest losing margin: 12 points

• Round 24 vs Parramatta Eels

Greatest number of games lost consecutively: 2

• Round 2 - Round 3

Jerseys

In December 2020, Melbourne Storm announced a new 5 year sponsorship and apparel partnership agreement with British sportswear company, Castore^[90] replacing the partnership with ISC. Castore will produce new supporter wear and a new jersey for season 2021, the design was announced on 14 January 2021.^[91]

Home

The home jersey features a classic V shape on the chest and the return of yellow to the jersey for the first time since 2018. Among the special features Castore has incorporated in the new jersey is a lightning bolt design on the sleeve and the inclusion of a Big V logo on the inner collar as a continuation of the Our Home, Victoria acknowledgment which began during the 2020 season to honor Storm’s home state. The Victoria acknowledgment logo returned to the front of the jersey from Round 20 onwards.

Away

The away jersey, worn when the home jersey creates a clash with the opposition, is a similar design to the home jersey but in majority white; worn with navy blue shorts and either navy blue (Round 2) or white socks with navy blue cuffs (Rounds 3, 9, 14, 16, 19).

Special

Round 7 - Melbourne wore a unique jersey with sublimated Anzac Day details including a large red Remembrance poppy, silhouettes of soldiers, and the Anzac Appeal logo.^[92]

Round 12 & 18 - An Indigenous Round jersey for the first time based on a white jersey template, designed by Melbourne AFLW player Krstel Petrevski. The jersey features the names of the 16 past and present Indigenous Storm players.^[93]

Round 21 – A white heritage jersey based upon the clash design worn in the club's first ever trial game, and worn once during the 1998 NRL season.

Awards

Trophy Cabinet

• 2021 J. J. Giltinan Shield
• 2021 Michael Moore Trophy

Melbourne Storm Awards Night

Held at The Glasshouse, Melbourne, Friday 10 December 2021. ^[94]

• Melbourne Storm Player of the Year: Jahrome Hughes^[95]
• Billy Slater Rookie of the Year: Dean Ieremia
• Melbourne Storm Members' Player of Year: Jahrome Hughes
• Melbourne Storm Most Improved: Nicho Hynes
• Melbourne Storm Best Back: Ryan Papenhuyzen
• Melbourne Storm Best Forward: Brandon Smith
• Cooper Cronk Feeder Club Player of the Year: Marion Seve
• Darren Bell U20s Player of the Year: Antonio Sanele
• Greg Brentnall Young Achievers Award (U18s): Jay Natapu
• Mick Moore Club Person of the Year: Meirion Jones (Head Physiotherapist)
• Chairman’s Award: Michael Christo (General Manager – Corporate Affairs, Government Relations and Community)
• Best Try: George Jennings, Round 18 vs Knights

Dally M Awards Night

Held at Howard Smith Wharves, Brisbane on Monday 27 September 2021.^[40]

• Dally M Centre of the Year: Justin Olam
• Dally M Hooker of the Year: Brandon Smith
• Dally M Coach of the Year: Craig Bellamy
• Therabody NRL Young Gun of the Year: Nicho Hynes^[96]
• Peter Frilingos Headline Moment: Melbourne Storm's 19-match winning streak

Rugby League Players’ Association Awards

• Dennis Tutty Award: Christian Welch^{[97] [98]}
• RLPA Centre of the Year: Justin Olam^[99]
• RLPA Hooker of the Year: Brandon Smith

Additional awards

• Spirit of Anzac Medal: Jahrome Hughes
• NRL Community Young Person of the Year: Halle Braybon ^[100]
• New Zealand Kiwi Player of the Year: Jahrome Hughes^[101]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Bromwich, Finucane to lead Storm in post-Big Three era. 19 February 2021. 19 February 2021.
2. Web site: 2021 World Club Challenge postponed. 20 November 2020. 26 January 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210126075454/https://www.sportingnews.com/au/league/news/2021-world-club-challenge-postponed-with-later-dates-under-consideration/1j0yb9g5lid8j1ec52v92onp7u. dead.
3. Web site: St Helens chairman Eamonn McManus provides update on 2022 World Club Challenge. 25 October 2021. 4 November 2021.
4. Web site: Seven Storm players out of All Stars as COVID chaos hits multiple codes . smh.com.au . 12 February 2021 . Nine Media . 19 July 2021.
5. Web site: Storm move trial to Albury . melbournestorm.com.au . 18 February 2021 . 29 June 2021.
6. Web site: Smith retires: Cameron announces record-breaking career over. 10 March 2021. 10 March 2021.
7. Web site: Papenhuyzen stars as Storm start post-Smith era in style. 11 March 2021. 13 March 2021.
8. Web site: NRL Confirms 18th player rule for foul play. 6 April 2021. 30 April 2021.
9. Web site: Fabulous Mr Foxx's six tries sink injury-ravaged Bunnies. 6 May 2021. 6 May 2021.
10. Web site: Storm smash Dragons . melbournestorm.com.au . 16 May 2021 . 24 May 2021.
11. Web site: Storm moves round 13 NRL match . melbournestorm.com.au . 28 May 2021 . 31 May 2021.
12. Web site: Round 13 charges: NAS, Reimis on report . melbournestorm.com.au . 7 June 2021.
13. Web site: Storm moves round 15 NRL match . melbournestorm.com.au . 8 June 2021 . 8 June 2021.
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21. Web site: Walsh . Dan . Storm to host Knights on Gold Coast . melbournestorm.com.au . 15 July 2021 . 16 July 2021.
22. Web site: Club update: July 15 . melbournestorm.com.au . 15 July 2021 . 16 July 2021.
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24. Web site: Mackay, Rockhampton, Redcliffe hosting games in revised NRL draw . NRL.com . 22 July 2021 . 22 July 2021.
25. Web site: Dale Finucane signs for Sharks as Fitzgibbon lands huge scalp . 25 July 2021 . 25 July 2021.
26. Web site: 2021 Ken Stephen Medal nominees announced . NRL.com . 6 August 2021 . 8 August 2021.
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28. Web site: Nicolussi . Christian . Storm lock away Bellamy until 2026 and turn attention to off-contract stars . theage.com.au . 27 July 2021 . Nine Media . 29 July 2021.
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30. Web site: Storm circle all-time Roosters record after destroying depleted Panthers . nrl.com.au . August 2021 . NRL . 1 August 2021.
31. Web site: Storm owner to splash the cash in bid to land the MCG its first NRL GF . foxsports.com.au . 3 August 2021 . 8 August 2021.
32. Web site: Lane . Matthew . Club owner keen to push Melbourne NRL grand final . Zero Tackle . 4 August 2021 . 8 August 2021.
33. Web site: Kaufusi extends Storm contract . melbournestorm.com.au . 6 August 2021 . 8 August 2021.
34. Web site: St John . Mark . Sloppy Storm still shatter points record, Raiders star answers critics in valiant display: 3 Big Hits . foxsports.com.au . 12 August 2021 . 13 August 2021.
35. Web site: Grant, Lumelume extend Storm contracts . melbournestorm.com.au . 17 August 2021 . 17 August 2021.
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37. Web site: Candidates announced for 2021 RLPA Players' Champion award . NRL.com . 30 August 2021 . 30 August 2021.
38. Web site: The RLPA Launches The Players' Champion 2021 – Where Respect Meets Rivalry . . 30 August 2021 . 30 August 2021.
39. Web site: Whittaker . Troy . Papenhuyzen back to best as Storm secure minor premiership . NRL.com . 3 September 2021 . 5 September 2021.
40. Web site: Newton . Alicia . Manly's No.1 gun tops Turbo charged season with Dally M honour . NRL.com . 27 September 2021 . 27 September 2021.
41. Web site: O'Loughlin . Liam . Melbourne Storm confirm investigation into star duo Cameron Munster and Brandon Smith as heavy punishments loom . Sporting News . 28 September 2021.
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43. Web site: Nicolussi . Christian . Warriors want answers after Walsh handed longer ban than Storm trio . theage.com.au . 5 October 2021 . Nine Media . 5 October 2021.
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48. Web site: Storm vs Knights. 28 February 2021.
49. Web site: NRL 2021 Melbourne Storm Draw. 28 November 2020.
50. Web site: Storm vs Rabbitohs. 12 March 2021.
51. Web site: Eels vs Storm. 29 March 2021.
52. Web site: Panthers vs Storm. 12 March 2021.
53. Web site: Storm vs Broncos. 2 April 2021.
54. Web site: Bulldogs vs Storm. 14 April 2021.
55. Web site: Storm vs Roostaers. 17 April 2021.
56. Web site: Storm vs Warriors. 26 April 2021.
57. Web site: Storm vs Sharks. 30 April 2021.
58. Web site: Rabbitohs vs Storm. 6 May 2021.
59. Web site: Storm vs Dragons. 16 May 2021.
60. Web site: Raiders vs Storm. 23 May 2021.
61. Web site: Broncos v Storm - Round 12, 2021 . NRL.com . 27 May 2021.
62. Web site: Storm v Titans . NRL.com . 6 June 2021.
63. Web site: Warriors v Storm - Round 14, 2021 . NRL.com . 15 June 2021.
64. Web site: Storm v Tigers . NRL.com . 19 June 2021.
65. Web site: Roosters v Storm . NRL.com . 1 July 2021.
66. Web site: Storm v Knights . NRL.com . 17 July 2021.
67. Web site: Cowboys v Storm . NRL.com . 23 July 2021.
68. Web site: Storm v Panthers . NRL.com . 1 August 2021.
69. Web site: Sea Eagles v Storm . NRL.com . 7 August 2021.
70. Web site: Storm v Raiders . NRL.com . 12 August 2021.
71. Web site: Titans v Storm . NRL.com . 19 August 2021.
72. Web site: Storm v Eels . NRL.com . 29 August 2021.
73. Web site: Storm v Eels . NRL.com . 3 September 2021.
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76. Web site: Storm vs Panthers - Finals Week 3. 2021-09-27. National Rugby League. en.
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78. Web site: Cooper Cronk's conflicting coaching roles exposed as Storm come clean. 7 March 2021. 20 April 2021.
79. Web site: NRL Transfer Centre. 31 October 2020.
80. Web site: Fox sports Transfer Centre. 13 November 2020. 14 November 2020.
81. Web site: Three debutants in NSW Blues for Origin I . nswrl.com.au . 30 May 2021 . 4 July 2021.
82. Web site: Maroons confirm team line-up for Game I . qrl.com.au . 9 June 2021 . 4 July 2021.
83. Web site: Two changes to NSW Blues for Origin II . nswrl.com.au . 20 June 2021 . 4 July 2021.
84. Web site: Maroons name team for Game II . qrl.com.au . 20 June 2021 . 4 July 2021.
85. Web site: NSW Blues team announced for Origin III . nswrl.com.au . 4 July 2021 . 4 July 2021.
86. Web site: Saifiti ruled out via Zoom for Origin III . nswrl.com.au . 5 July 2021 . 7 July 2021.
87. Web site: Maroons name team for Game III . qrl.com.au . 4 July 2021 . 4 July 2021.
88. Web site: 2021 Melbourne Point Scorers. afltables.com. 3 February 2021.
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90. Web site: Storm and Castore announce five-year partnership. 9 December 2020.
91. Web site: Storm reveal 2021 home jersey. 14 January 2021.
92. Web site: 2021 NRL Jerseys.
93. Web site: Our 2021 Indigenous Jersey explained . melbournestorm.com.au . 25 May 2021 . 25 May 2021.
94. Web site: Hughes earns first Storm Player of the Year title. melbournestorm.com.au . 10 December 2021 . 10 December 2021.
95. Web site: Player of the Year, Jahrome Hughes, winners' speech. melbournestorm.com.au . 10 December 2021.
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97. Web site: Congratulations to @christianlwelch for winning the 2021 Dennis Tutty Award . Facebook . . 19 September 2021.
98. Web site: @rlplayers Instagram . https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/CT_dMMllkg9 . 24 December 2021 . registration. . 26 September 2021 . 20 September 2021 . Congratulations to @christianlwelch for winning the 2021 Dennis Tutty Award..
99. Web site: The RLPA Show: The Dream Team announced . Nine's Wide World of Sport . Nine Media . 26 September 2021.
100. News: Halle Braybon named NRL Young Person of the Year . September 2021.
101. Web site: Jahrome Hughes named Kiwis rugby league player of the year . stuff.co.nz . 14 December 2021.