Official thread and signing news

[Stormszn]

We need to start signing some players

Just signed 2 dolphins

We've signed 2.

But we've lost NAS, Paps, Pezet, Wishart, Meaney, Warbrick.

Massive question marks over Blore, Katoa and Tui.

We could sign another 5 blokes tomorrow and it still wouldn't be enough.

I mean you can’t expect us to sign like 7 players. We have some very good juniors, they’ll just need to step up.

[Storm Spirit]

I reckon the Club will be right into another 2-3 signings …but they’re always specifically targeted and well considered … not just random signings

[Papenhuyzen23]

Jaxon Purdue in the backs and Ata Mariota in the forwards my best 2 that still don’t have a contract for 2027, hope the club are looking at both.

[Storm Spirit]

Jaxon Purdue in the backs and Ata Mariota in the forwards my best 2 that still don’t have a contract for 2027, hope the club are looking at both.

I'd be very surprised if the Club wasn't holding in depth discussions with Matt Timoko

[riders of the storm]

There’s some decent value on the market. I think the Storm really should look at centres and second-rowers though with emphasis on backs.

Sam McIntyre would be a great pickup along with Marata Niukore.

In terms of centres the club could take a swing at Braidon Burns or Jake Averillo.

I think Averillo’s unlikely to go now given his recent form and the fact Isaako leaving has opened up a backline spot.

[Papenhuyzen23]

Jaxon Purdue in the backs and Ata Mariota in the forwards my best 2 that still don’t have a contract for 2027, hope the club are looking at both.

I'd be very surprised if the Club wasn't holding in depth discussions with Matt Timoko

He would be a nice pick up also, could we revamp the entire 3/4 line?

1. Sua FA’ALOGO
2. Jamayne ISSAKO
3. Jaxon PURDUE
4. Matt TIMOKO
5. Xavier COATES
6. Cameron MUNSTER
7. Jahrome HUGHES
8. Stefano UTOIKAMANU
9. Harry GRANT (c)
10. Ata MARIOTA
11. Joe CHAN
12. Elisea KATOA*
13. Ativalu LISATI

14. Oryn KEELEY
15. Cooper CLARKE
16. Jack HOWARTH
17. Josh KING

18. Trent LOIERO
19. Hugo PEEL

Now that team looks quite nicely balanced, but boy it’s a shame we missed our targets, Lomax Tino and Bai would have been FANTASTIC.

[Scooter]

Cooper Clarke re-signs until 2029.

https://www.melbournestorm.com.au/news/ ... ntil-2029/

[SunshineCoastStormer]

Just a thought if Oryn Keeley can’t make the Dolphins team we could ask to get him early. Isaako would be nice but can’t see him being released early

[yanjarra]

Purdue extended with cowboys until 2030 for anyone hanging onto that pipe dream. Was always going to happen with the money they'd throw at him and him being a NQ boy through and through. Good player though. Drinky likely to be moved on, and whilst a return to storm would be a bit of a fairytale for him to finish, Sua looks good.

11 of the current panthers 17 free to negotiate form November 1 this year.

[Storm Spirit]

Purdue extended with cowboys until 2030 for anyone hanging onto that pipe dream. Was always going to happen with the money they'd throw at him and him being a NQ boy through and through. Good player though. Drinky likely to be moved on, and whilst a return to storm would be a bit of a fairytale for him to finish, Sua looks good.

11 of the current panthers 17 free to negotiate form November 1 this year.

TBH.......I'd prefer the Club seriously looks into the recruitment of Matt Timiko from the Raiders.


Melbourne Storm interested in Gehamat Shibasaki

According to reports, the Storm, Bulldogs and Perth Bears all made attempts to prize Purdue away from North Queensland. With Cameron Munster in the twilight of his career and Tyran Wishart leaving for Perth next season, the Storm likely viewed Purdue as their future five-eighth.

But the chance to play fullback may have swayed Purdue to stay. The Storm have Sua Fa'alogo as their long-term fullback, so Purdue wouldn't have been able to play his preferred position in Melbourne.
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It's another recruitment blow for Bellamy and the Storm, after they also missed out on Cooper Bai and Zac Lomax in recent times. However they have managed to snare Jamayne Isaako and Oryn Keeley from the Dolphins for 2027.

And The Daily Telegraph reported on Thursday that they've 'expressed their interest' in Shibasaki. The Broncos premiership winner is off contract at season's end, and will likely have to leave Brisbane if he wants a pay increase from the league-minimum he's on at the Broncos.

The Storm have undergone a period of major change, with Ryan Papenhuyzen and Nelson Asofa-Solomona quitting the NRL, and Jonah Pezet joining Parramatta in 2026. Wishart and Nick Meaney will both join the Bears in 2027, while Will Warbrick has signed with the Warriors.

[sheet_ed]

Don't think Gehamat Shibasaki is Storm material, his off field repuation by previous accounts, is not what we want. We must be desperate if we are looking that way.

Surely there is a UK talent that would do well in Melbourne?

[SunshineCoastStormer]

We should be looking at Jake Averillo and others with raw talent/big upside - he fits that mould plus can play 1-6.

I could understand Shibasaki but his off field character needs to be checked out.

By seasons end we do need

Back up hooker or give Satrick more game time
Middle enforcer - Josh Kerr type?
At least 2 outside backs - Averillo, Shibasaki?
Maybe utility replacement - Connor Watson? Woudi also cover back up hooker

[blazza18]

Must be a bit of panic in the club if we're now chasing after Shibasaki.

[Lucas]

Must be a bit of panic in the club if we're now chasing after Shibasaki.

The panic started with not walking away from Lomax when it got messy imo.

[yanjarra]

Not that keen on shibby...in saying that he's better than what we have so if he's all we can get than i suppose you'd take him

I'd be targeting in order based off on field alone: 1. Timoko, 2. Xerri 3. Tago, 4. Ramien, 5. Shibba, 6. Averillo. Not sure there's any other decent centre targets for this/next year?

Hopefully we can get 2 of those, surely at least 1. Don't blame the club for being desperate, I would be to given what we currently have.