Melbourne Storm’s NRL squad members will pay tribute to the role that Brisbane’s Easts Tigers and the Sunshine Coast Falcons play for the club by wearing their feeder club jerseys at training this evening.
As well as helping to develop future Storm NRL players, the two Intrust Super Cup clubs have always provided an outstanding home away from home for our squad members outside the NRL matchday squad.
However, in this COVID-19 affected season, the two clubs have unfortunately been unable to take to the field as planned.
Storm General Manager – Football Frank Ponissi said: “We are extremely proud and fortunate to be affiliated with both Brisbane Easts since the end of 2010 and the Falcons since late 2014.
“Not only do they provide our players an opportunity to develop and showcase this talent to Craig Bellamy but over the years we have signed a number of players direct from both clubs to relocate to Melbourne.
“Both clubs provide us a genuine pathway.”
There is a distinct Falcons and Tigers influence In Storm’s current 30-man NRL squad.
All up, 24 players have worn the Tigers or Falcons colours in the Intrust Super Cup – with seven having represented both clubs.
Only skipper Cameron Smith, co-captains Dale Finucane and Jesse Bromwich and Test and Origin winger Josh Addo-Carr plus this year’s additions Brenko Lee, Paul Momirovski and Ricky Leutele have not played at least one ISC game for either club.
Lee signed on with Easts for 2020 before winning a contract with Melbourne.
Leading the way are Fijian prop Tui Kamikamica, who has played 60 Falcons games, 2020 NRL debutant Chris Lewis, who has played 55 matches for Sunshine Coast, and Justin Olam who has registered 50 Falcons appearances.
Kenny Bromwich leads the Tigers list with 37 matches followed by Christian Welch on 24.
The 2020 Storm NRL squad has played a combined total of 548 matches for Easts and the Sunshine Coast.
There are another 93 Falcons and Tigers games amongst our development player list.
