Meet the Storm Academy /

Sheldon Diaz is a fast-improving player for the Victorian Thunderbolts.  He completed his 2022 pre-season with the U19s SG Ball team and following some good performances, he was quickly promoted to the U21s Jersey Flegg Team.   

Sheldon has become a standout front-rower with his work ethic and coachability two of his greatest strengths. 

Matt Hill is a young, up-and-coming fullback hailing from Katherine in the Northern Territory.  

A naturally gifted player, Matt showcased his huge potential when he competed with the Central QLD Capras U18s, ending the season as one of the best fullbacks in the competition. 

Matt is also a member of the Coles First Nations Pathway Program which produced current Storm development player Ammaron (AJ) Gudgeon. 

An aggressive and hard-working forward, Angus Hinchey featured in the semi-final finishing Norths Devils U18 side in 2022. Angus was one of the prominent second-rowers in the Mal Meninga Cup throughout the year and his efforts saw him rewarded with selection in the 2022 QLD U18 Emerging Squad.    

An aggressive defender with a strong running game, Stanley Huen has been a part of Storm's junior pathways for the past three seasons. At only 18 years old, Huen shows incredible promise having been selected in the 2023 QLD U19s Emerging Squad.

He joins the Academy Squad for the remainder of 2023, playing for both the SG Ball and Jersey Flegg teams. 

Mitchell Jennings joins Storm from the Club’s HostPlus Cup feeder team, the Sunshine Coast Falcons. Growing up, Mitch played for Beerwah in local competition before playing his Junior Representative footy for the Falcons.  

2021 saw the now 19-year-old make his representative debut, playing in the QLD U17s City v Country clash, followed by being named in the 2022 QLD U18 Emerging Squad.  

Poasi Manu is a big and mobile forward who’s always ready to attack hard on the playing field.  

The younger brother to Melbourne Storm Premiership player Sika Manu, Poasi has been involved in the Storm pathways system for several years.  

Unfortunately, an injury saw Poasi side-lined for most of 2021 season, but the young forward bounced back in 2022 putting his best foot forward.  

Jerry Musu

Jerry Musu is an almost 19-year-old Melbourne local, finding his home in the front row. He has come through the junior ranks, playing SG Ball U19s and now Jersey Flegg U21s.

Musu has agreed to join the Academy Program for the next two seasons (2024 and 2025). In addition, he will join the Academy group where possible for the remainder of 2023.

Jerry has also taken part in our Junior Pathways sessions and camps over the last couple of seasons.

Jared Nauma played with distinction for the Victorian Thunderbolts Jersey Flegg U21s last season, going on to win the Greg Brentnall Young Achievers Award at the 2022 Melbourne Storm Player of the Year Awards.

Nauma showed his potential early on following selection in the CAS U15s merit team.

Born in Christchurch, New Zealand, K-Ci made the move to the Gold Coast where he continued his footy journey with the Storm Cyclones. He has also gone on to play in the Club’s Pathways Game against Brisbane Easts U18s and was a standout performer.  

A quiet and respectful youngster, K-Ci has showcased an impressive training and work ethic that is sure continue to grow throughout the program.  

A young Victorian product, Suliasi Prescott enjoyed a strong year of performances in 2022 playing his football in the local competition with the Truganina Rabbitohs as well as featuring for the Victorian Thunderbolts in the SG Ball Competition. 

Keagan Russell-Smith was a member of the Penrith Panthers U19s Premiership SG Ball team in 2022. 

Earlier in the year, selection in the NSWCCC Open schoolboys team in 2021, Keagan has showcased he is a clever half with excellent vision, execution and kicking game.  

A dynamic hooker, Gabriel Satrick enjoyed a breakout 2022 which saw him help Ipswich SHS to salute in the 2022 NRL Schoolboys Cup where the youngster also claimed the Peter Sterling Medal as the player of the finals series. After being rewarded with selection in the Australian Schoolboys side, the Queenslander will look to continue to build his game and take it to the next level in Melbourne. 

Gabriel is also a member of the Coles First Nations Pathway Program which produced current Storm development player Ammaron (AJ) Gudgeon. 

Karauria Stokes-Mauahara burst onto the scene in 2022 where he got a chance to play for the Burleigh U18s with strong showings then earning the 18-year-old a berth in the Bears’ U21s side.  

A small player possessing high-end speed, Karauria’s further development in the system will look to harness that and turn him into a well-rounded outside back. 

Coby Williamson grew up in Central Queensland playing for the Emerald Tigers.   A destructive runner with an aggressive playing style, Coby’s efforts so far have been rewarded with selection in the 2022 QLD U19s Extended Squad.  

Throughout the year he has developed his footy skills playing for the Central Queensland Capras in the U21s Colts competition.