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Pathway players receive jerseys from Storm legends

With the 2025 NSWRL Junior Representative season starting on Saturday, Melbourne Storm’s Harold Matthews U17s and SG Ball U19s were presented with their playing jerseys at a special ceremony on Monday at AAMI Park.

Storm Head Coach Craig Bellamy addressed the Harold Matthews squad before joining Player Wellbeing Coordinator Young Tonumaipea to present the jerseys to the Harold Matthews players.

Storm fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen spoke to the SG Ball team, with teammates Josh King and Sua Fa’alogo also in attendance to show their support and present the SG Ball players with their 2025 jersey.

Ryan Papenhuyzen, Sua Fa’alogo and Josh King present SG Ball player Amare Milford with his 2025 jersey
Ryan Papenhuyzen, Sua Fa’alogo and Josh King present SG Ball player Amare Milford with his 2025 jersey

This season marks the second year of Storm’s inclusion in the NSWRL competition, with pathway teams competing at U17, U19 and U21 level.

“It’s always a great moment when we come together at the start of each season to celebrate the success of our junior players and present them with their Storm jersey in front of family, friends and teammates,” said Pathway Operations Manager Tim Auremi.

“Having Craig, Young, Paps, Kingy and Sua in attendance made the experience extra special and highlighted the ongoing connection between our senior club and pathway program.”

Storm’s strategy of identifying and nurturing young local talent remains prominent throughout both sides, with the Harold Matthews squad made up entirely of Victorian players from junior clubs across Melbourne.

Storm's  2025 Harold Matthews squad
Storm's 2025 Harold Matthews squad

In the U19s, as well as local Victorian players, there are players from Storm’s junior feeder program at Sunshine Coast Academy, Brisbane Tigers and North Sydney Bears.

“We have an exciting group of players this season, with an extensive connection to our home pathways in Victoria and our successful feeder programs, showcasing some of the best young rugby league talent,” Auremi said.

“The players have worked incredibly hard over the last few months, training together at our recent Geelong Camp, and forging great relationships on and off the field.

“We’re excited to watch them kick-off their season in Wollongong on Saturday and look forward to their contribution to the Storm jersey in 2025.”

The Storm Harold Matthews and SG Balls teams commence their season against Illawarra Steelers on Saturday in Wollongong, with the U17s kicking-off at 2:30pm followed by the U19s at 4pm.

Storm’s Jersey Flegg (U21) team start their season in line with the NRL on Sunday 9 March against the Roosters in Sydney.

2025 Melbourne Storm Harold Matthews Squad

Aidan Ilaoa Anaias Jones-Teao Archie Wyley
Autaia Rakatairi- Te Whaiti Carlos Faaofo-Taula Dylan Simamao
Emmanuel Walker Harlen Smith Harrison Plummer
Hunter Stokie Jactin Samaeli James Etena Tokuma
Jaxon Leota Jayden Matatumua Jeriah Papatua
Levi Kanongataa Malachai Taupau Marceilus Povey
Mason Matafeo Max Tokava Mika Tauese
Palu Tauelangi Sale-Zion Tunumafono Santino Antonio
Sefita Tauali'i Sione Lasi Ata Teipaina William
Texas Esera - Saluni Willis Te'o Wivenshalom Tyrell
Mahonri Ormsby - Hopa Alphonzo Kereti  

2025 Melbourne Storm SG Ball Squad

Alipate Vaka Alize Clarke Amare Milford
Amaziah Murgha Ben Stringer Burnham Salesa
Chae Sinclair Charbel Kheirallah Cooper Clarke
Daniel Moananu David Tuariki Deacon King
Ed Lyons Elijah Po Ching Ezekiel Tausili
Ezekiel Taupau Frank Howarth Jaden Ninda
Jai Bowden Jake Lane Jethro Scanlan
Jordan Hamlin Joseph Vela Kobi Floro
Kyu Fiaiu Lockyer-Azile Foliola Lucas Hinchey
Matt Kereti Micah Warena Phoenix Woods
Riley Brannock Ronnic Starkey Victory Isaako
Waka Hammond Zeph Faumuina  
Acknowledgement of Country

Melbourne Storm respect and honour the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.