Cooper Cronk’s warning to NRL rivals despite Melbourne Storm roster overhaul
Melbourne have lost a long list of veteran Premiership winners in the off-season but don’t expect them to slow down anytime soon.
After being eliminated from the finals in a shock defeat to the Raiders last year, the likes of Brandon Smith, Felise Kaufusi and the Bromwich brothers left the Storm after successful tenures.
Tariq Sims and Eliesa Katoa top a rather disappointing list of recruits for the new season, with both players struggling for form at their previous clubs and looking for a fresh start.
The squad changes have left a gaping hole in the club’s forward package heading into 2023, but all may not be doom and gloom in Victoria.
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Speak with The sports news At the start of the Fox League season this week, club legend Cooper Cronk delivered a stern warning to the competition regarding Storm’s fate.
“They’ve obviously lost a lot of experience in that forward pack but remember the Bromwich and Kaufusi lads and Brandon Smith weren’t household names when they arrived at Melbourne Storm,” he said.
“Tariq Sims, Eli Katoa, Trent Loiero, Josh King and these guys get sprinkled with Craig Bellamy’s magic dust this summer.
“They will provide a great platform for arguably one of the best spines in the competition to do their thing.
“Melbourne Storm fans, don’t worry.”
The above Sims bring a wealth of experience to the table, having played 221 first-tier games to date and six games for NSW, but have not been in form at club level for the Dragons in recent years.
Other players like Katoa and Loiero will be there for starting spots despite having limited experience and still in the early stages of their NRL careers.
The side are still fortunate to have a star-studded backbone that includes State of Origins standouts Cameron Munster and Harry Grant, as well as Kiwis playmaker Jahrome Hughes, who should still be able to add plenty of points weekly achieve.
When asked what makes Storm coach Craig Bellamy so successful at getting the best out of underperforming or unannounced players, Cronk said there’s no big secret and it’s all about the work ethic he injects into his roster.
“It’s not a magic potion — it just makes you train harder than ever,” he said.
“If he can get the majority of his players to play high-percentage plays and play their part for the team and you give Grant, Munster and Hughes enough platform and ball, then the points will come.”
Melbourne will start their season against the Parramatta Eels on Thursday 2 March.
Fox League can be viewed on Foxtel and Kayo Sports.