Melbourne Storm 2024 season review
Overview
Minor Premiers, Dally M Player of the Year, Dally M Coach of the Year, three players in the Team of the Year – 2024 was almost perfect for the Storm, except for a Grand Final defeat at the crunch.
The Storm only lost five times during the regular season and sat top of the ladder from round 12 onwards.
The minor premiership was all but secured with three rounds to spare following a 22-24 win over nearest challengers Penrith in round 24, but the Panthers got their revenge when it mattered most, as they beat Melbourne 14-6 in the ‘big dance’.
That left the Storm without a Premiership since 2020, and their wait for a fifth title continues.
Highs
There are almost too many to mention. As referenced earlier, Melbourne’s collection of award-winners at the Dally Ms is testament to how good they were throughout the year, and they were the only team who truly looked capable of ending Penrith’s dominance in 2024.
The Storm beat the Panthers in both of their regular season fixtures, which suggested that Penrith may have found their match this year.
The second of those wins in round 24 was followed by a 48-6 win over the Dolphins, which confirmed the minor premiership for definite, and they finished the season in style with a 12-50 win over the Broncos at Suncorp.
In the finals, Melbourne were purring from the first whistle, and a 37-10 win over the Sharks in week one meant a week off before they destroyed the Roosters 48-18 in the preliminary final to secure their place in the Grand Final. That was to be as good as it got for Melbourne though.
Lows
There’s only one place to start, and that’s the Grand Final. Despite taking the lead and putting in a spirited defensive display, the Storm just couldn’t break the Panthers line a second time to put themselves in touching distance of the win.
It’s hard to find any lows during the regular season. Two defeats in three games between rounds 10 and 12 was as bad as things got form-wise, but none of Melbourne’s defeats were by more than eight points across the whole season.
The absence of Cameron Munster for several games could be considered a low point, but the Storm managed ok without him, and he came back fresh for the final push before the year ended.
Reasons to be positive in 2025
There are so many it’s hard to know where to start. The Storm were the closest challengers Penrith had in 2024, and they’ll be right up there again next year.
This year was their 14th straight finals appearance, and it’d take a brave person to bet against them extending that record in 2025.
Stefano Utoikamanu is arriving from the Wests Tigers to add a bit more punch in the forward pack, and no big names are heading out of AAMI Park as things stand.
Even if they do, coach Craig Bellamy will probably have another rookie up his sleeve anyway. The likes of Tyran Wishart, Jack Howarth and Sua Fa’alogo all had breakout seasons in 2024, while Shawn Blore was outstanding in his first season after a mixed career to date.
All in all, the Storm should find themselves right in the mix again next year, even if they suffer from injuries again.
My 2024 prediction – 4th
Final 2024 position – 1st (+3)
At the start of the year I made the cardinal sin of underestimating the Storm, although I tipped them as a chance of the Grand Final, so I’ll take that. Sometimes you can look at the Storm team and think it’s weaker than their rivals, but with Craig Bellamy at the helm, they keep producing performances and results. Next year, I’d be amazed if they’re not in the top four.
