Six players have made their debut for Storm in 2017, the equal most in the Club’s history after five rounds.
It has happened twice previously, in 2007 and 2013, interestingly also after seasons in which Melbourne played in a Grand Final the previous year.
It is no secret that Storm lost a wealth of experience in the off-season with the likes of Kevin Proctor and Blake Green departing while Tohu Harris has been absent through injury.
Be there for the Grand Final Replay at AAMI Park. Storm host the Sharks, Sunday 9 April.
However what that has done has provided the Club’s wealth of young talent with an opportunity to step up to the big time.
This was also the case in 2007 and 2013.
Back in ‘07 the likes of Will Chambers, Israel Folau and Sika Manu all made their Storm debuts.
The 2013 debutant class included names such as Harris, Kenny Bromwich and Jordan McLean, all players that have gone on to establish themselves in Craig Bellamy’s side.
O far this season the squad has weathered injuries to key personnel, such as McLean, Harris, Cameron Munster and Suliasi Vunivalu.
However a key reason behind Storm’s unbeaten start has been the ability of its debutants to be ready to seize their opportunity when the time has come.
So far in 2017 we have seen Josh Addo-Carr, Ryley Jacks, Joe Stimson, Vincent Leuluai, Tui Kamikamica and Mark Nicholls all pull on the purple jersey for the first time.
Several more will also likely get their chance in the coming months and if early signs are anything to go by, the future is certain bright at Melbourne Storm.
