MELBOURNE Storm officials have made rising star Aiden Tolman the club's top priority to re-sign after his starring role in the World Club Challenge win against Leeds on Monday.

© Melbourne Storm

Tolman was outstanding against Leeds in the World Club Challenge

The 21-year-old prop, who is off contract at the end of this season, topped the tackle count against the Rhinos and continually charged into a strong Leeds pack.

His performance earned high praise from coach Craig Bellamy and sparked talk he could be a bolter for the New South Wales State-of-Origin team.

"He was nearly our best player. He's a small front-rower, but he is very effective," Bellamy said.

Tolman made his NRL debut in 2008 and played every game last season, including the grand final.

He is set to become hot property and Storm football manager Frank Ponissi is anxious to open contract talks with him as soon as possible.

"His development last year was a highlight. We hope he is a long-term player at the club but he is going to be in big demand, so we'd rather start negotiations sooner rather than later," Ponissi said.

"He's a great young man who goes about his duties in an incredibly professional manner and we believe he is a leader of the future. We're very keen to hold on to him ... he would probably be our No. 1 priority."

Tolman and his teammates returned to Melbourne yesterday after Monday's win, achieved with a new-look line-up that impressed Bellamy.

"It's a tough thing to do to go over there and win," Bellamy said. "Most of our guys had only had one game for the year. Billy (Slater) Greg (Inglis) and Jeff Lima hadn't had a game at all. There were some really good signs for us leading in to the new NRL season."

With just eight days until Storm's Round 1 clash against Cronulla next Saturday, the players will return to training today, albeit at a snail's pace.

"We are going to be tired, but we have to hope that tiredness leaves us quicker than it has in the past and we'll be ready to rip into training from Monday," Bellamy said.

Storm's win against the Rhinos sparked a 15 per cent surge in membership, with more than 700 people signing up, taking the total to more than 5700.

Storm, which is aiming for 10,000 members, registered a "significant increase" in membership inquiries after the win.