A look at our six feeder club players from Brisbane Tigers and Sunshine Coast Falcons who are lining up for their first game for Melbourne Storm at GHMBA Stadium.
Kane Bradley
Date of birth: February 3, 2000
Birthplace: Sydney (NSW)
Junior clubs: Revesby Rhinos, Penshurst RSL, Bankstown Sports
Favourite position: Wing/centre
Current club: Brisbane Tigers
Previous club: North Queensland Cowboys
Kane came through the junior grades at Manly and St George and was named in the NSW under-18s squad. He had a development contract at Wests Tigers before moving to North Queensland where he played two NRL matches in 2021, including scoring a try against Melbourne on his debut in round 19. He played 18 games for the Mackay Cutters in the Hostplus Cup last year.
Scott Galeano
Date of birth: April 13, 1998
Birthplace: Bega (NSW)
Junior club: Bega Roosters
Favourite position: Centre
Current club: Sunshine Coast Falcons
Previous club: Tweed Seagulls
Scott has joined the Falcons for season 2023 after a strong rookie season in the Hostplus Cup in 2022, scoring 17 tries in 19 appearances, predominantly on the wing. His highlight was a hat-trick against Northern Pride. He previously played senior football for his hometown club, Bega Roosters, and the Thirroul Butchers.
Pronunciation: Gal-ee-ar-noh
Max Lehmann
Date of birth: February 1, 2000
Birthplace: San Francisco (USA)
Junior club: Beacon Hill Bears
Favourite position: Wing
Current club: Brisbane Tigers
Previous club: Parramatta Eels
Born in the USA, Max had his first birthday on the plane to his new home in Australia. After spending time in the Manly Sea Eagles system, he played in the NSW Cup for the Parramatta Eels last season before signing a two-year contract with Brisbane Tigers for 2023-24. He’s also known to his teammates as “Lemonade”.
Pronunciation: Lee-mun
Charlie Murray
Date of birth: August 17, 2001
Birthplace: Narromine (NSW)
Junior club: Camden Haven Eagles
Favourite position: Lock/hooker
Current club: Brisbane Tigers
Previous club: Tweed Seagulls
Charlie made his Hostplus Cup debut with Tweed Seagulls in 2021 and played 14 games last season, averaging 22 tackles per game. He has switched to the Brisbane Tigers for the 2023 season. He was a junior teammate of current Storm NRL squad members Xavier Coates and Cole Geyer at Currumbin Eagles on the Gold Coast and was coached by Storm great Matt Geyer.
Josh Patston
Date of birth: September 24, 1998
Birthplace: Sydney (NSW)
Junior club: Lismore Marist Brothers
Favourite position: Back-row
Current club: Sunshine Coast Falcons
Previous club: Tweed Seagulls
Josh made his Hostplus Cup debut for Tweed Seagulls in 2021 and cemented a starting berth in their pack in 2022, featuring in 18 matches. He was one of the Seagulls’ leaders in defence, averaging 21 tackles per game. He also crossed for nine tries, including a round nine hat-trick against Souths-Logan Magpies, along with 13 linebreaks. Josh also played representative football for the Northern Rivers Titans.
Lazarus Vaalepu
Date of birth: March 19, 1999
Birthplace: Penrith
Junior club: Queanbeyan Roos
Favourite position: Front-row
Current club: Sunshine Coast Falcons
Previous club: Wynnum-Manly
Lazarus was a rugby union player, predominantly at inside centre, before he switched to league in the under-16s. He was with the Canberra Raiders in his later teenage years. After making his Hostplus Cup debut with Wynnum, Lazarus has gone on to play 18 Cup games, including 14 last year for the Sunshine Coast Falcons. He’s currently on a train and trial contract with Storm.
Pronunciation: Var-ar-lep-oo
