2014 Melbourne Storm season
The 2014 Melbourne Storm season was the 17th in the club's history. They competed in the 2014 NRL season and were coached by Craig Bellamy and captained by Cameron Smith. In 2014 the Storm did not achieve a good level of consistent success however won enough games late in the season to qualify for the NRL finals in 6th place. The club finished outside the top four for the first time since 2005 (other than when competition points were stripped in 2010). It was a roller coaster campaign that kicked off with consecutive one-point wins, courtesy of drop goals from Smith and Cooper Cronk. Storm five wins this season came at a combined 17 points. Injuries to Cronk (broken arm) and Billy Slater (shoulder) during the Origin period saw the Storm lose four of six games during that stretch as they were left clinging to 8th spot on the NRL ladder. The team managed to steady the ship by winning six of their last eight home-and-away games to finish sixth. In a significant boost for the Club, captain Cameron Smith signed a four-year contract extension just one week into the season.[1]
2014 Melbourne Storm season | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
NRL Rank | 6th | |||
Play-off result | 7th - Elimination Final Loss | |||
2014 record | Wins: 14; Draws: 0; Losses: 10 | |||
Points scored | For: 536; Against: 460 | |||
Team information | ||||
CEO | Mark Evans | |||
Coach | Craig Bellamy | |||
Captain |
| |||
Stadium | AAMI Park – 30,050 | |||
Top scorers | ||||
Tries | Sisa Waqa (18) | |||
Goals | Cameron Smith (68) | |||
Points | Cameron Smith (145) | |||
|
Season summary
- Auckland Nines - The Melbourne Storm competed in the inaugural Auckland Nines tournament on the weekend of the 15th and 16 February. After losing two of three pool games they failed to progress to the finals of the tournament.
- Round 1 - The Storm opened their season with a Golden Point extra time win over Manly Warringah. Cameron Smith kicked the winning field goal. Smith also equaled the Storm games record in the match. George Rose, Ben Roberts and Young Tonumaipea all made their debuts for the Storm. This also meant the Storm won their season opener for the 10th successive year.[2]
- 11 March - Cameron Smith officially announces that he has signed a four-year contract which will see him end his NRL career at the Storm.[3]
- Round 2 - Cameron Smith played his 263rd game for the Storm breaking the club record held by Matt Geyer. Also, Billy Slater played his 250th Game for the Club and NRL.
- 18 March - Jesse Bromwich commits to the Storm by signing a new four year playing contract.[4]
- Round 5 - Dayne Weston makes his playing debut for the Storm.
- Round 6 - The Storm score a try after the siren to secure a 28 - 24 victory over the St George Illawarra Dragons. The Dragons with 13 minutes left on the clock, led 24-10.
- Round 8 - ANZAC Day In front of a record NRL crowd of 28,716 at AAMI Park the Storm go down to the New Zealand Warriors 16 - 10.
- Round 9 - Kurt Mann makes his debut for the Storm scoring the winning try in a 22-19 win over Manly.
- Round 10 - Craig Bellamy coached his 300th NRL game and Joel Romelo made his playing debut for the club. In addition when Cameron Smith, Billy Slater, Ryan Hoffman and Cooper Cronk ran out against South Sydney, it was the first time in NRL history four players of the same side had played a combined total of 1000 games.[5]
- 29 May - Both Kevin Proctor and Young Tonumaipea sign new playing contacts with the Storm.[6]
- 30 May - Cooper Cronk breaks his arm in the first State of Origin game ruling him out for 12 weeks. Billy slater and Cameron Smith also suffered injuries in the game but Smith was able to follow up in the Round 12 game against North Queensland.[7]
- Round 15 - Melbourne Storm returned to form with their biggest win of the season thus far (46-20) over the Parramatta Eels. Billy Slater also moved to equal third on the all time NRL try scorers list with Andrew Ettinghausen.[8]
- Late June - The Storm sign Fijian Marika Koroibete from the West Tigers just before the June 30 deadline, he is one of the fastest players in the NRL and made his impact straight away scoring tries in the Storm's wins over Canberra and Brisbane.[9] This followed the news that Sisa Waqa would depart for Canberra and the end of the season and Mitch Garbutt would depart for Brisbane.
- Rounds 19 and 20 - The Storm return to the winners list with wins over Canberra and Brisbane.
- Round 22 - Newcastle score two converted tries in the final 3 minutes of the game to snatch victory 32-30. Sisa Waqa scores a Storm season record of 4 tries in the game, he also equals the club record for most tries in a game.
- Round 25 - Cooper Cronk plays his 250th NRL game.
- Round 26 - The Storm defeat the Brisbane Broncos ensuring they qualify for the 2014 NRL Finals Series.
- Finals Week 1 - Following the conclusion of Round 26, the Storm finished in 6th place meaning they were drawn against the Canterbury Bulldogs in an Elimination Final in Week 1 of the Finals Series the Storm's higher placing than Canterbury ensured it was played at home. The Storm ultimately lost the Elimination Final 28-4 ending their season. Ryan Hoffman also played his final game with the Storm.
Milestone games
Round | Player | Milestone |
---|---|---|
Round 1 | Young Tonumaipea | NRL debut |
Round 1 | George Rose | Storm debut |
Round 1 | Ben Roberts | Storm debut |
Round 2 | Cameron Smith | 263rd Storm game (Storm Record) |
Round 5 | Dayne Weston | Storm debut |
Round 9 | Kurt Mann | NRL debut |
Round 10 | Craig Bellamy | 300th NRL game as coach |
Round 10 | Joel Romelo | Storm debut |
Round 12 | Cameron Munster | NRL debut |
Round 19 | Marika Koroibete | Storm debut |
Round 25 | Cooper Cronk | 250th game |
Fixtures
Preseason
Date | Round | Opponent | Venue | Result | Score | Tries | Goals | Attendance | Report |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
8 February | Trial 1 | Canberra Raiders | AAMI Park, Melbourne | Loss | 12-20 | Proctor, Tonumaipea, Hunt | [11] | ||
15 February | Auckland Nines Pool Game | Penrith Panthers | Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand | Loss | 14-10 | Chambers, Munster | Munster | [12] | |
15 February | Auckland Nines Pool Game | South Sydney Rabbitohs | Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand | Win | 18-10 | Chambers (2), Fonua | Chambers, Waqa | [13] | |
16 February | Auckland Nines Pool Game | St George Illawarra Dragons | Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand | Loss | 14-10 | Garbutt, Fonua | Waqa | [14] | |
22 February | Trial 2 | Eastern Suburbs Tigers | Langlands Park, Brisbane | ||||||
23 February | Trial 3 | Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs | Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane | Loss | 20-10 | Fonua, K. Bromwich | Smith 1/2 | 10000 | [15] |
Regular season
Date | Round | Opponent | Venue | Result | Score | Tries | Goals/Field Goals | Attendance | Report |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
8 March | 1 | Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles | Brookvale Oval, Manly | Win | 22-23 | Waqa (2), Hampton, K Bromwich | Smith 3/7, Smith 1/1 (FG) | 14,200 | [16] |
15 March | 2 | Penrith Panthers | AAMI Park, Melbourne | Win | 18-17 | Proctor, Fonua, Waqa | Smith 2/5, Cronk 2/2 (FG) | 13,952 | [17] |
24 March | 3 | Newcastle Knights | AAMI Park, Melbourne | Win | 28-20 | Waqa, Proctor, Chambers, Tonumaipea, Smith | Smith 4/6 | [18] | |
29 March | 4 | Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs | nib Stadium, Perth | Loss | 40-12 | Chambers, Slater | Harris 2/3 | 12,014 | [19] |
6 April | 5 | Gold Coast Titans | AAMI Park, Melbourne | Loss | 26-28 | Waqa (2), K Bromwich, Chambers | Smith 5/5 | 11,930 | [20] |
14 April | 6 | St George-Illawarra Dragons | AAMI Park, Melbourne | Win | 28-24 | Chambers (2), J Bromwich, Cronk, Tonumaipea | Smith 4/5 | 13,130 | [21] |
20 April | 7 | Canberra Raiders | Canberra Stadium, Canberra | Loss | 24-22 | Fonua (2), Hinchcliffe, Waqa | Smith 3/4 | [22] | |
25 April | 8 | New Zealand Warriors | AAMI Park, Melbourne | Loss | 10-16 | Proctor, Tonumaipea | Smith 1/2 | 28,716 | [23] |
10 May | 9 | Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles | AAMI Park, Melbourne | Win | 22-19 | Slater (2), Cronk, Mann | Smith 3/4 | 13,273 | [24] |
16 May | 10 | South Sydney Rabbitohs | ANZ Stadium, Sydney | Win | 14-27 | Slater (2), Cronk, Waqa | Smith 5/5, Cronk 1/1 (FG) | 18,508 | [25] |
24 May | 11 | Bye | |||||||
31 May | 12 | North Queensland Cowboys | 1300SMILES Stadium, Townsville | Loss | 22-0 | [26] | |||
8 June | 13 | Sydney Roosters | AAMI Park, Melbourne | Loss | 12-32 | Fonua,Mann | Smith 2/2 | 16,757 | [27] |
24 June | 14 | Gold Coast Titans | Skilled Park, Gold Coast | Win | 20-24 | Chambers (2), Hampton, Mann, Roberts | Roberts 2/5 | 6,497 | [28] |
16 June | 15 | Parramatta Eels | AAMI Park, Melbourne | Win | 46-20 | Waqa (2), Slater (2), Mann (2), Norrie, McLean | Smith 6/7, Roberts 1/1 | 12,635 | [29] |
30 June | 16 | St George-Illawarra Dragons | WIN Stadium, Wollongong | Loss | 24-12 | Slater, Mann | Smith 2/2 | [30] | |
6 July | 17 | Bye | |||||||
12 July | 18 | Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs | AAMI Park, Melbourne | Loss | 4-6 | Proctor | Smith 0/2 | [31] | |
19 July | 19 | Canberra Raiders | AAMI Park, Melbourne | Win | 28-14 | Fonua (2), Koroibete, McLean, Proctor, Waqa | Smith 2/6 | 11,479 | [32] |
25 July | 20 | Brisbane Broncos | Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane | Win | 8-30 | Hoffman (2), Cronk, Hinchcliffe, Koroibete | Smith 5/6 | 36,319 | [33] |
4 August | 21 | Wests Tigers | Campbelltown Stadium, Campbelltown | Win | 6-28 | Koroibete (2), Chambers, Smith, Waqa | Smith 4/5 | 7,782 | [34] |
9 August | 22 | Newcastle Knights | Hunter Stadium, Newcastle | Loss | 32-30 | Waqa (4), Slater, Chambers | Smith 3/6 | [35] | |
16 August | 23 | Cronulla Sharks | AAMI Park, Melbourne | Win | 48-6 | Fonua (2), Glasby (2), Koroibete, Chambers, Waqa, J Bromwich, McLean | Smith 6/9 | [36] | |
25 August | 24 | Penrith Panthers | Centrebet Stadium, Penrith | Win | 10-24 | Koroibete, Chambers, Roberts, Slater | Smith 4/5 | 8,994 | [37] |
30 August | 25 | Sydney Roosters | Allianz Stadium, Sydney | Loss | 24-12 | Slater (2) | Smith 2/2 | 13,879 | [38] |
5 September | 26 | Brisbane Broncos | AAMI Park, Melbourne | Win | 22-12 | Fonua (2), Hoffman, Cronk | Smith 2/2, Chambers 1/2 | 20,032 | [39] |
Finals Series
Date | Round | Opponent | Venue | Result | Score | Tries | Goals/Field Goals | Attendance | Report |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
14 September | Week 1 - 2nd Elimination Final | Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs | AAMI Park, Melbourne | Loss | 4-28 | Waqa | Smith 0/1 | 19,230 | [40] |
Source Melbournestorm.com.au:[41]
Ladder
|
2014 Coaches
- Craig Bellamy -Head Coach
- Justin Morgan -Assistant Coach
- Anthony Seibold -Assistant Coach
- Nathan Brown -Coaching Consultant
- Brett Finch -Halves Coach
- Matt Adamson -U/20s Coach
- Tony Ayoub -Head Physiotherapist
2014 Squad
As of 26 July 2014
2014 Player movements
Source NRL.com:[42]
Representative honours
The following players have played a representative match in 2014. (C) = Captain
City Vs Country[43] | ANZAC Test | Pacific Test | State Of Origin 1 | State Of Origin 2 | State of Origin 3 | Four Nations[44] | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Statistics
Statistics Source:[45]
Name | App | T | G | FG | Pts | Goal% |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jesse Bromwich | 24 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | |
Kenny Bromwich | 18 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | |
Will Chambers | 22 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 46 | 50.00% (1/2) |
Cooper Cronk | 19 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 23 | |
Mahe Fonua | 20 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 40 | |
Mitch Garbutt | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Tim Glasby | 13 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | |
Ben Hampton | 11 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | |
Tohu Harris | 25 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 66.67% (2/3) |
Ryan Hinchcliffe | 25 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | |
Ryan Hoffman | 24 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 12 | |
Marika Koroibete | 10 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 24 | |
Kurt Mann | 8 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 24 | |
Jordan McLean | 16 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 12 | |
Junior Moors | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Cameron Munster | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Bryan Norrie | 25 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | |
Justin O'Neill | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Kevin Proctor | 25 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 20 | |
Ben Roberts | 18 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 14 | 42.86% (3/7) |
Joel Romelo | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
George Rose | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Billy Slater | 22 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 48 | |
Cameron Smith | 23 | 2 | 68 | 1 | 145 | 70.83% (68/96) |
Young Tonumaipea | 14 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 12 | |
Sisa Waqa | 24 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 72 | |
Dayne Weston | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
27 Players used | - | 97 | 74 | 4 | 540 | 67.89% (74/109) |
Most Points in a Game: 16
- Sisa Waqa vs Newcastle (Rd 22)
Most tries in a Game: 4
- Sisa Waqa vs Newcastle (Rd 22)
Highest score in a game: 48 points
- vs Cronulla (Rd 23)
Greatest winning margin: 42 points
- vs Cronulla (Rd 23)
Jersey
For the 2015 season, the Storm have released a new home jersey, once again made by BLK.[46] The 2015 jersey no longer features the "lightning bolt V", instead featuring a large navy blue panel which highlights the crown resorts logo and purple shoulders. A silver horizontal strip also features across the chest. A new away jersey is also set to be released in December.
Awards
Melbourne Storm Awards NightHeld at Peninsula Docklands on Friday 10 October.[47]
|
Rugby League Players Association Awards Night
|
References
- "History Melbourne Storm". melbournestorm.com.au. Retrieved 9 January 2017.
- Roy Masters (14 March 2014). "NRL HQ not panicking despite doomsayers". Brisbane Times. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
- http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/cameron-smith-to-remain-at-melbourne-storm-for-four-more-years-after-tough-decision/story-fni3gpfh-1226850690473
- http://www.melbournestorm.com.au/news/2014/03/18/bromwich_commits_to_storm.html
- http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/cooper-cronk-hails-special-bond-of-melbourne-storms-big-four-set-to-celebrate-1000-games/story-fni3gpfh-1226917706828
- http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/melbourne-storm-resigns-promising-winger-young-tonumaipea-after-retaining-kevin-proctor/story-fni3gpfh-1226934335031
- http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-05-29/melbourne-storm-lose-big-three-for-cowboys-clash/5486698
- http://www.nrl.com/slater-leaps-up-try-scoring-list/tabid/10874/newsid/79602/default.aspx
- http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/speedster-marika-koroibete-could-be-just-what-melbourne-storm-need-in-a-seasondefining-month/story-fni3gpfh-1226995220906
- "Storm to host first ever Trial Game at AAMI Park". Melbourne Storm. December 2013. Archived from the original on 2013-12-04. Retrieved 2013-12-05.
- "Return of injury-prone Matt Duffie pleases Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy in trial loss". Herald Sun. 9 February 2014.
- "Auckland Nines Results and Stats". Flashscore.com. 19 February 2014.
- "Auckland Nines Results and Stats". Flashscore.com. 19 February 2014.
- "Auckland Nines Results and Stats". Flashscore.com. 19 February 2014.
- "Bulldogs down Storm in Brisbane". MelbourneStorm.com.au. 24 February 2014.
- "Smith kicks Field Goal to down SeaEagles". Daily Telegraph. 8 March 2014.
- "Storm beat Panthers in a Thriller". Herald Sun. 16 March 2014.
- "Storm toostrong for Gutsy Knights". Daily Telegraph. 24 March 2014.
- "Craig Bellamy slams his Melbourne Storm team after thrashing by Canterbury Bulldogs". Herald Sun. 30 March 2014.
- "Storm fans boo referee after controversial penalty give Titans win". Herald Sun. 6 April 2014.
- "Storm reign supreme after controversial post-siren win over Dragons through dramatic try". Herald Sun. 15 April 2014.
- "Craig Bellamy pleads for referee howlers to stop after controversial loss to Canberra Raiders". Herald Sun. 20 April 2014.
- "Storm's premiership credentials fade after Anzac Day loss to Warriors at AAMI Park". Herald Sun. 25 April 2014.
- "Storm rookie Kurt Mann shines for Melbourne in thrilling finish against Manly Sea Eagles". Herald Sun. 11 May 2014.
- "Billy Slater shows his class as Melbourne Storm claim a dominant 27-14 win over the Rabbitohs". Herald Sun. 16 May 2014.
- "North Queensland Cowboys demolish injury-ravaged Melbourne Storm". The Age. 1 June 2014.
- "Cameron Smith slams teammates attitude in defence after a heavy 32-12 defeat by the Roosters". Herald Sun. 8 June 2014.
- "Gold Coast Titans at crisis point as crowds and form go missing in loss to Melbourne". Herald Sun. 16 June 2014.
- "Melbourne Storm thump Parramatta Eels 46-20". The Age. 22 June 2014.
- "St George Illawarra Dragons too good for Melbourne Storm as Dugan fights off injury scares".
- "Canterbury Bulldogs grind out win over Melbourne Storm". The Age. 10 July 2014.
- "The Melbourne Storm have beaten the Canberra Raiders 28-14 at AAMI Park". Herald Sun. 25 July 2014.
- "The Melbourne Storm have beaten the Brisbane Broncos 30-8 at Suncorp Stadium". Herald Sun. 25 July 2014.
- "Cooper Cronk's outstanding form has Melbourne Storm on the verge of a top four spot". Herald Sun. 5 August 2014.
- "Newcastle Knights beat Melbourne Storm as Kurt Gidley scores with post-siren goal in NRL thriller". The Age. 16 August 2014.
- "Melbourne Storm obliterate woeful Cronulla Sharks". The Age. 16 August 2014.
- "Storm down ill-disciplined Panthers". NRL.com. 26 August 2014.
- "Roosters beat Storm with defence". NRL.com. 5 September 2014.
- "Storm down Broncos to secure Finals berth". NRL.com. 6 September 2014.
- http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/the-bulldogs-have-beaten-the-melbourne-storm-284-in-a-sudden-death-clash-at-aami-park/story-fni3fbgz-1227058085199
- "2014 Draw Release". MelbourneStorm.com.au. December 2013. Archived from the original on 2013-12-06. Retrieved 2013-12-05.
- "NRL Transfers 2014". NRL.com. October 2013.
- http://www.melbournestorm.com.au/news/2014/04/28/eight_players_selected.html
- http://www.triplem.com.au/sydney/sport/nrl/news/2014/9/team-list-australia-kangaroos-train-on-squad-for-four-nations-and-pm-xiii-against-papua-new-guinea/
- "Rugby League Statistics". rleague.com. 20 March 2014.
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-11-09. Retrieved 2014-11-09.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- "Bromwich claims first Player of the Year award". Melbourne Storm 2014 Awards. 10 Oct 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2018 – via melbournestorm.com.au.