The Heritage: Melbourne Storm

Men of League Heritage Round kicks-off this weekend (30 March – 2 April), honouring the game’s history and remembering the great players and the people that have been involved in your club, that make Rugby League the greatest game of all.

Round 5 of the 2012 NRL Premiership is a chance to celebrate the great and rich traditions of all the NRL clubs – from the foundation members all the way to the league’s newest entrants. Each club has its own unique story and a special piece of history in Australian sport.

The Men of League Foundation continues to support all members of the rugby league family when they need a helping hand. Men of League Ambassadors will make appearances at collection points at all venues.

Melbourne Storm celebrate 15 years in the NRL this season, and they’ll do so in a Heritage Round clash against a side in their 25th year in the competition, the Newcastle Knights.

These sides first met in Round 20, 1998 and entering the game the Knights were on top of the ladder and Melbourne sitting in fourth position.

Melbourne were exceeding expectations - in their first year of the competition, not many suggested Melbourne Storm could be a premiership contender but here they were - an elite team late into their debut season

On the other hand, the Knights were heavily favoured to repeat their premiership efforts of the 1997 season.

But it was Melbourne Storm who performed better on the day, taking the match 32-16. Fan favourite Marcus Bai grabbed a hat trick, while Scott Hill, Brett Kimmorley and Richard Swain also scored for Melbourne.

Melbourne Storm for that game on Friday, July 24, 1998 was:
Robbie Ross, John Carlaw, Paul Bell, Tony Martin, Marcus Bai, Scott Hill, Brett Kimmorley, Glenn Lazarus, Richard Swain, Robbie Kearns, Paul Marquet, Russell Bawden, Tawera Nikau.
Bench: Daniel Frame, Wayne Evans, Danny Williams, Tristan Brady-Smith. Coach: Chris Anderson.

The win pushed Melbourne into third place, and set them up for a real challenge at the premiership. That dream faded however when they were knocked out by the Broncos in the third week of the finals.

The playing group now features a host of talent poised to continue a premiership challenge into the future with the likes of Cooper Cronk, Dane Nielsen and Bryan Norrie conjuring up memories of Brett Kimmorley, Tony Martin and Paul Marquet.

A win in Heritage Round over the Knights would increase Melbourne Storm’s impressive lead at the top of the ladder, and push their unbeaten streak to five games.

With eight wins from our last 10 matches against Newcastle, including three at AAMI Park, Melbourne Storm Members and supporters have every right to expect the streak to continue.

So get down to the ground and be part of another chapter in the heritage of the greatest game of all.

Next Up
In Round 5, Melbourne Storm host the Newcastle Knights at AAMI Park on Friday night with kick-off at 7:30pm.