They’ve had to endure arguably the greatest injury toll on the Club’s history but the fact Storm will run out for a Grand Final on Sunday is a testament to the resilience of this playing group.
At one point there could have been a ‘last man standing’ policy at team selection, such was the number of injuries Melbourne had suffered.
Rather than drop their heads, the men in purple embraced the challenge.
That mentality has driven them all the way through 2016 and into the Club’s seventh grand final appearance in their 19 seasons.
Their ability to perform in the face of adversity is a characteristic of this team that has filled their coach with great pride.
“I don’t think a lot of people understand how hard it is to get to a Grand Final, to do that has been really good for us,” Craig Bellamy said.
“With all due respect I think our guys have deserved it this year.
“We’ve been through a fair few injuries early in the year and during the year but these guys stuck to the job they need to do and did it really well.
“These guys this year have been tremendous, they’ve really risen to the occasion.
“Some of them have been played way out of position… but they just kept turning up, did the best they can and really competed hard.
“I am really proud of them but I am really happy for them too because I genuinely believe that the opportunity they’ve given themselves on Sunday night, they really deserve it.”
Storm will take on the Sharks in the 2016 NRL Grand Final this Sunday at ANZ Stadium.
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