2022 Melbourne Storm season

The 2022 Melbourne Storm season was the 25th in the club's history, competing in the 2022 NRL season. The team was coached by Craig Bellamy, coaching the club for his 20th consecutive season and for the second straight season, Melbourne had co-captains with Jesse Bromwich (second season), and Christian Welch (first season) sharing the duties,[1] following the departure of Dale Finucane.

2022 Melbourne Storm season
NRL Rank5th
Play-off resultLost Elimination final
2022 recordWins: 15; draws: 0; losses: 9
Points scoredFor: 657; against: 410
Team information
CEOJustin Rodski
CoachCraig Bellamy
Captain
StadiumAAMI Park – 30,050 (11 games)
Suncorp Stadium – 52,500 (1 game)
Avg. attendance15,831[a]
High attendance25,308 (Round 24)
Top scorers
TriesXavier Coates (16)
GoalsNick Meaney (48)
PointsNick Meaney (148)
← 2021 List of seasons 2023 →

Melbourne qualified for the 2022 NRL finals series in fifth place, but were defeated by the Canberra Raiders 28–20 at AAMI Park to be eliminated in week one of the finals.[2]

Club chairperson Matt Tripp summed up the season: "it's not our style to bow out of the finals in week one without a yelp... no one is making excuses about injuries but if you sit back and look at how many we had, there were excuses in key positions that cost us a few games throughout the home and away season, which made it tough in the finals."[3]

Season summary

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  • Preseason – New recruits from the 2021–22 season took part in Melbourne Storm IDQ camp for pre season before New Years. Josh King was awarded the IDQ Iron bar with special recognition to William Warbrick.[4][5]
  • 3 February – Ending a months-long absence, Nelson Asofa-Solomona returns to training after he "had provided all necessary information and certification to comply with the requirements of the Victorian and Queensland Governments to allow him to return for training and to play".[6] It had been reported that Asofa-Solomona was in danger of missing the 2022 season after he missed a December 2021 deadline to prove his vaccination status against COVID-19.[7]
  • 19 February – Playing in Victoria for the first time since April 2021, Melbourne played their first NRL trial game of the year, going down 18–24 in front of a crowd of 7,000 at Casey Fields. An inexperienced squad, led by George Jennings played to raise funds for those impacted by the 2022 Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha'apai eruption and tsunami.
  • 27 February – In the final hit out before the start of the regular season, Melbourne played their first ever game in Ballarat, defeating Newcastle Knights 24–10 at Mars Stadium. Leading 6–4 at half time, tries to rookie Tyran Wishart, Felise Kaufusi, and new recruit Jayden Nikorima sealing the victory. Injuries to Cooper Johns and Xavier Coates the main concerns ahead of Round 1, exacerbated by a number of players who will miss the game through suspensions.[8]
  • 2 March – Prop forward Christian Welch is appointed a club co-captain for the first time, joining incumbent Jesse Bromwich in sharing the duties.[1]
  • Round 1 – Melbourne maintain their winning streak in round 1 games, dating back to 2001, defeating Wests Tigers 26–16 for the club's first win at CommBank Stadium. The win was remarkable due to the club missing key players through suspension and also three players sustaining serious injuries during the match, in addition, five players made their club or NRL debut, the most in a single game for Melbourne since round 14 of the 2000 season.[9] The win was coach Craig Bellamy's 350th of his coaching career.[10]
  • Round 2 – Returning to AAMI Park for the first time in 321 days, and commemorating coach Craig Bellamy's 500th game,[10] Melbourne extended their winning record against South Sydney Rabbitohs in Victoria to 18–0 with a 15–14 win in Golden point. Ryan Papenhuyzen kicking the winning field goal in the 84th minute.[11]
  • Round 3 – In a second successive Golden point game, Melbourne lose 28–24 against Parramatta Eels for the third straight game, with Ray Stone scoring the winning try in extra time after the ball bounced off the upright from a Mitchell Moses field goal attempt.[12]
  • 1 April – Melbourne extend the contracts of key players Harry Grant, Jahrome Hughes and Xavier Coates; re-signing the trio on long-term contracts to stay with the club.[13][14]
  • Round 4 – Ryan Papenhuyzen scores a career-high 28 points (four tries, six goals), as Melbourne keep Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs scoreless for the second time in club history, winning 44–0.[15][10]
  • Round 6 – With Jesse and Kenny Bromwich both unavailable,[10] Jahrome Hughes becomes the 26th club captain,[16] as Melbourne defeat Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 34–18.[17]
  • Round 7 – ANZAC Day, Storm score an equal club record 70 points, defeating New Zealand Warriors by 60 in one of the largest wins in the club's history, retaining the Michael Moore Trophy. Xavier Coates scores four tries during the game, while Ryan Papenhuyzen is awarded the Spirit of ANZAC Medal.[18]
  • 4 May – Following assault charges against him being dismissed in Brisbane Magistrates' Court,[19] Tui Kamikamica is handed a nine-match suspension, together with a $10,000 fine by the NRL for "bringing the game into disrepute". The suspension was retrospectively applied to cover the period Kamikamica was initially stood down by the club under the NRL's no-fault stand down policy.[20][21]
  • Round 9 – Melbourne defeat St. George Illawarra Dragons 42–6 in Nelson Asofa Solomona's 150th game and Kenneath Bromwich's 200th game. The win put the Storm on top of the NRL ladder for the first time in 2022 with a superior points differential. In addition, following the game Melbourne had accrued 325 points over the first nine rounds, eclipsing the Roosters' 1935 record.[22][23]
  • 10 May – It is confirmed that fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen (hamstring and knee – 4–6 weeks) and centre Reimis Smith (ruptured pec – 10–12 weeks) will be missing due to injuries sustained in the win against St. George Illawarra.[24][25] Smith would later re-injure his pectoral muscle after aggravating the injury at training.[26]
  • 18 May – Melbourne confirm that head coach Craig Bellamy will continue in the role in 2023, his 21st season as coach in Melbourne. Bellamy had signed a new five-year contract with the club in 2022 that allows him to decide each year whether he will continue in the head coach role for the following season or transition into a coaching director role.[27][28]
  • 8 June – Young Tonumaipea rejoins the club on a train and trial contract, following the end of the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific season where he had been playing with the Melbourne Rebels. Tonumaipea last played for Storm in 2018.[29]
  • Round 14 – Grant Anderson makes his NRL debut, scoring two tries at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Melbourne's 26–16 victory over Sydney Roosters.[30] Anderson who had been playing for Storm feeder club Sunshine Coast Falcons moved to Melbourne on a short-term contract and was called into the team due to an injury to Xavier Coates in Origin I. Anderson was the first debutant to score two tries at the SCG since Wallaby convert Phil Smith for South Sydney against St George in 1971.[31]
  • 13 June – PNG international centre Justin Olam renews his contract with Melbourne, with his new deal committing him until the end of the 2026 season.[32][33]
  • 12 July – Brandon Smith is suspended by the NRL Judiciary for three matches for contrary conduct in the Round 17 match against Cronulla. Smith was sent to the sin bin in the 60th minute by referee Adam Gee for calling him a "cheating bastard." The judiciary panel consisting of Tony Puletua and former referee Paul Simpkins taking the view that Smith's comments questioned the referee's honesty and integrity, handing down a penalty that reflected that the conduct was unacceptable and that a three match suspension acted as an appropriate deterrent.[34][35][36]
  • 15 July – The club announces that they have set a new NRL membership record, with 37,237 members (including more than 10,000 new members in 2022), breaking the record set by the Brisbane Broncos in 2018.[37]
  • Round 18 – Melbourne lose their third straight game the first time since 2015, as the Canberra Raiders won their fifth straight game at AAMI Park 20–16. Fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen suffered a fractured patella to rule him out for the season, he became the fourth player to suffer a season ending injury thus far.[38] In a pre-match ceremony, the club honoured retired played Cameron Smith renaming the Eastern Stand at AAMI Park the "Cameron Smith Stand."[39][40]
  • 29 July – Wests Tigers winger David Nofoaluma joins Melbourne for the rest of the season on loan. Nofoaluma was brought in due to the club's injury toll.[41][42]
  • Round 21 – With injuries affecting the squad, Cameron Munster switches to fullback for the first time since 2018 and scores his second career hat trick of tries in a scrappy 32–14 win over Gold Coast Titans.[43] The match sees Jesse and Kenny Bromwich become the first pair of brothers to play over 500 NRL games combined at one club.[44]
  • 8 August – The club re-signs Tui Kamikamica and Tepai Moeroa to new contracts to the end of the 2023 season, and signs Warriors second-rower Eliesa Katoa on a two-year deal from 2023.[45]
  • Round 22 – Melbourne hold defending premiers Penrith Panthers scoreless to win 16–0 at BlueBet Stadium. Melbourne had been the last team to hold Penrith scoreless at the same venue in 2015.[46][47]
  • 24 August – A flurry of re-signing news as the club extends the contracts of George Jennings, Grant Anderson, Jayden Nikorima, Dean Ieremia (2023); and Marion Seve (2024).[48][49]
  • Round 25 – Despite consecutive losses, Melbourne qualified for the 2022 NRL finals series finishing the season in fifth place on the NRL ladder. It was Melbourne's 12th consecutive finals qualification, but the first outside of the top four since 2014.[10]
  • Elimination Final – Melbourne are eliminated from the finals following a 28–20 defeat by the Canberra Raiders. After trailing 16–8 at half time, Melbourne rallied in the second half to take the lead, but were overrun as Canberra notched their fifth straight victory at AAMI Park.[50][51]
  • 27 September – Cameron Munster is awarded the Cameron Smith Player of the Year Award at the Melbourne Storm awards night. It was Munster's second Player of the Year Award win after previously being awarded the accolade in 2018. During the ceremony, Melbourne Storm CEO Justin Rodski announced that the club had signed up a NRL-record 41,108 members in 2022, and that two home games during the 2023 season would be held at Marvel Stadium due to AAMI Park's unavailability period for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.
  • 5 October – The club re-signs forwards Alec MacDonald, Trent Loiero (2025); and Tom Eisenhuth (2023). MacDonald joining the club's top 30 squad for the first time after playing 12 games in his debut season.[52]
  • 6 October – After months of speculation that he would leave Melbourne at the end of the 2023 NRL season,[53][54][55] Cameron Munster re-signs with the club until the end of the 2027 NRL season.[56][57][58][59]

Milestone games

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Round Player Milestone
Round 1 Xavier Coates Storm debut
Nick Meaney Storm debut
Josh King Storm debut
Tyran Wishart NRL debut
Alec MacDonald NRL debut
Round 2 Craig Bellamy 500th Storm game as coach
Round 9 Kenneath Bromwich 200th game
Nelson Asofa-Solomona 150th game
Round 14 Grant Anderson NRL debut
Round 16 Brandon Smith 100th game
Jayden Nikorima Storm debut
Round 19 Jahrome Hughes 100th game
Round 21 David Nofoaluma Storm debut
Round 23 Josh King 100th game
Harry Grant 50th game

Fixtures

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Pre-season

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Source:[60][61]

Date Round Opponent Venue Result Mel. Opp. Source
19 February Trial   New Zealand Warriors Casey Fields, Cranbourne East Loss 18 30 [62]
27 February Trial   Newcastle Knights Mars Stadium, Ballarat Win 24 10 [63][8]

Regular season

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Source:[64]

Date Round Opponent Home/Away Venue Result Mel. Opp. Tries Goals Field goals Report
12 March 1   Wests Tigers Away CommBank Stadium, Sydney Won 26 16 G Jennings, T Loiero, J Hughes, X Coates, R Smith N Meaney 3/7 [9][65]
17 March 2   South Sydney Rabbitohs Home AAMI Park, Melbourne Won
(GP)
15 14 X Coates, R Papenhuyzen, C Munster R Papenhuyzen 1/1, H Grant 0/2 R Papenhuyzen 1/1 [11][66]
26 March 3[i]   Parramatta Eels Home AAMI Park, Melbourne Lost
(GP)
24 28 N Meaney (2), B Smith, R Papenhuyzen R Papenhuyzen 4/4 R Papenhuyzen 0/1 [12][67]
3 April 4   Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Home AAMI Park, Melbourne Won 44 0 R Papenhuyzen (4), J King, K Bromwich, X Coates, F Kaufusi R Papenhuyzen 6/8 [15][68]
9 April 5   Canberra Raiders Away McDonald's Park, Wagga Wagga Won 30 16 J Hughes (2), H Grant, R Papenhuyzen, J Olam R Papenhuyzen 5/5 [69]
16 April 6   Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Home AAMI Park, Melbourne Won 34 16 J Olam (2), C Munster, R Papenhuyzen, H Grant R Papenhuyzen 7/7 [70]
25 April 7[ii]   New Zealand Warriors Home AAMI Park, Melbourne Won 70 10 X Coates (4), J Hughes (2), N Meaney (2), R Papenhuyzen (2), H Grant, J Bromwich, J Olam R Papenhuyzen 7/10, H Grant 0/1, C Munster 0/1, N Meaney 2/3 [18][71]
1 May 8   Newcastle Knights Away McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle Won 50 2 X Coates (3), J Olam (2), J Hughes, T Moeroa, N Meaney, C Munster R Papenhuyzen 7/10 [72]
8 May 9   St. George Illawarra Dragons Home AAMI Park, Melbourne Won 42 6 R Papenhuyzen (2), N Meaney, J Hughes, C Munster, N Asofa-Solomona, T Loiero R Papenhuyzen 2/3, N Meaney 5/6 [73]
14 May 10[iii]   Penrith Panthers Home Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Lost 6 32 N Meaney N Meaney 1/1 [74]
21 May 11   North Queensland Cowboys Away Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville Lost 6 36 F Kaufusi N Meaney 1/1 [75]
26 May 12[iv]   Manly Sea Eagles Home AAMI Park, Melbourne Won 28 8 C Munster (2), C Lewis, X Coates, K Bromwich N Meaney 4/5 [76]
5 June 13 Bye
11 June 14   Sydney Roosters Away Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney Won 26 18 G Anderson (2), M Seve (2), F Kaufusi N Meaney 3/5 [77]
17 June 15   Brisbane Broncos Home AAMI Park, Melbourne Won 32 20 D Ieremia (2), J Hughes (2), T Kamikamica, C Munster N Meaney 4/7 [78]
30 June 16   Manly Sea Eagles Away 4 Pines Park, Sydney Lost 30 36 R Papenhuyzen (2), N Meaney, B Smith, N Asofa-Solomona, J Olam N Meaney 2/2, R Papenhuyzen 1/3 [79]
7 July 17   Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Away PointsBet Stadium, Sydney Lost 6 28 A MacDonald N Meaney 1/1 [80]
17 July 18   Canberra Raiders Home AAMI Park, Melbourne Lost 16 20 N Meaney, J Hughes, H Grant R Papenhuyzen 1/1, N Meaney 1/2 [81]
23 July 19   South Sydney Rabbitohs Away Accor Stadium, Sydney Lost 12 24 M Seve, D Ieremia N Meaney 2/2 [82]
29 July 20   New Zealand Warriors Away Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland Won 24 12 J Olam, H Grant, J Hughes, N Meaney N Meaney 3/5, C Munster 1/1 [83]
5 August 21   Gold Coast Titans Home AAMI Park, Melbourne Won 32 14 C Munster (3), X Coates, K Bromwich, Y Tonumaipea C Munster 4/6 [84]
11 August 22   Penrith Panthers Away BlueBet Stadium, Penrith Won 16 0 N Meaney, B Smith, D Nofoaluma N Meaney 2/3 [85]
19 August 23   Brisbane Broncos Away Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Won 60 12 D Nofoaluma (2), J Olam (2), Y Tonumaipea, T Kamikamica, C Munster, H Grant, J Hughes, N Asofa-Solomona N Meaney 10/11 [86]
26 August 24   Sydney Roosters Home AAMI Park, Melbourne Lost 14 18 X Coates, N Meaney N Meaney 3/3 [87]
1 September 25   Parramatta Eels Away CommBank Stadium, Sydney Lost 14 22 H Grant, N Meaney, D Nofoaluma N Meaney 1/2, C Munster 0/1 [88]
Fixture notes:
  1. ^ Multicultural Round
  2. ^ ANZAC Round
  3. ^ Magic Round
  4. ^ Indigenous Round

Finals

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First elimination final
10 September 2022
17:40 AEST (UTC+10)
Melbourne Storm   20 – 28   Canberra Raiders
Tries: 4
Coates   17'21'44'
Asofa-Solomona   56'
Goals: 2
Munster   46', 58' (2/5)
1st: 8–16
2nd: 12–12
Report
Tries: 5
Timoko   7'
Fogarty   31'
Whitehead   34'
Young   65'
Rapana   73'
Goals: 4
Fogarty   32', 36', 66', 75' (4/5)
AAMI Park, Melbourne
Attendance: 20,838[89]
Referee: Grant Atkins
Bunker: Ashley Klein
Touch judges: Drew Oultram, Liam Kennedy


Ladder

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Pos Team Pld W D L B PF PA PD Pts
1   Penrith Panthers (P) 24 20 0 4 1 636 330 +306 42
2   Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 24 18 0 6 1 573 364 +209 38
3   North Queensland Cowboys 24 17 0 7 1 633 361 +272 36
4   Parramatta Eels 24 16 0 8 1 608 489 +119 34
5   Melbourne Storm 24 15 0 9 1 657 410 +247 32
6   Sydney Roosters 24 15 0 9 1 635 434 +201 32
7   South Sydney Rabbitohs 24 14 0 10 1 604 474 +130 30
8   Canberra Raiders 24 14 0 10 1 524 461 +63 30
9   Brisbane Broncos 24 13 0 11 1 514 550 −36 28
10   St. George Illawarra Dragons 24 12 0 12 1 469 569 −100 26
11   Manly Warringah Sea Eagles 24 9 0 15 1 490 595 −105 20
12   Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 24 7 0 17 1 383 575 −192 16
13   Gold Coast Titans 24 6 0 18 1 455 660 −205 14
14   Newcastle Knights 24 6 0 18 1 372 662 −290 14
15   New Zealand Warriors 24 6 0 18 1 408 700 −292 14
16   Wests Tigers 24 4 0 20 1 352 679 −327 10

Coaching staff

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2022 squad

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List current as of 1 August 2022

Cap Nat. Player name Position First Storm game Previous First Grade RL club [b]
119   Jesse Bromwich PR 2010   Melbourne Storm
149   Kenneath Bromwich PR, SR, LK 2013   Melbourne Storm
154   Young Tonumaipea WG,FB 2014   Melbourne Storm
160   Cameron Munster FE, FB 2014   Melbourne Storm
164   Felise Kaufusi PR 2015   Melbourne Storm
166   Nelson Asofa-Solomona SR, PR 2015   Melbourne Storm
167   Christian Welch SR, PR 2015   Melbourne Storm
181   Tui Kamikamica SR, PR 2017   Melbourne Storm
182   Brandon Smith HK, LK 2017   Melbourne Storm
184   Jahrome Hughes FE, FB 2017   North Queensland Cowboys
187   Justin Olam WG, CE 2018   Melbourne Storm
188   Harry Grant HK 2018   Melbourne Storm
192   Tom Eisenhuth SR 2019   Penrith Panthers
193   Marion Seve WG 2019   Melbourne Storm
194   Ryan Papenhuyzen FB 2019   Melbourne Storm
201   Chris Lewis SR 2020   Melbourne Storm
204   Cooper Johns FE 2020   Melbourne Storm
209   George Jennings WG 2021   Parramatta Eels
210   Reimis Smith WG 2021   Canterbury Bulldogs
212   Trent Loiero SR 2021   Melbourne Storm
213   Dean Ieremia WG 2021   Melbourne Storm
214   Jordan Grant PR 2021   Melbourne Storm
215   Tepai Moeroa SR, LK 2021   Parramatta Eels
217   Xavier Coates WG 2022   Brisbane Broncos
218   Nick Meaney FB 2022   Canterbury Bulldogs
219   Josh King PR 2022   Newcastle Knights
220   Tyran Wishart FE, HK 2022   Melbourne Storm
221   Alec MacDonald LK 2022   Melbourne Storm
222   Grant Anderson CE 2022   Melbourne Storm
223   Jayden Nikorima FE, HK 2022   Sydney Roosters
224   David Nofoaluma WG 2022   Wests Tigers
  Sualauvi Fa'alogo FB Yet to debut   Melbourne Storm
  Bronson Garlick LK Yet to debut   Melbourne Storm
  Cole Geyer HK Yet to debut   Melbourne Storm
  Jack Howarth CE, SR Yet to debut   Melbourne Storm
  Jonah Pezet HB Yet to debut   Melbourne Storm
  William Warbrick CE, WG Yet to debut   Melbourne Storm

Player movements

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Source:[95][96]

Representative honours

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This table lists all players who have played a representative match in 2022.

Player All Stars match State of Origin 1 State of Origin 2 Mid-year Internationals State of Origin 3 Other Internationals World Cup
Nelson Asofa-Solomona New Zealand New Zealand
Jesse Bromwich New Zealand (c) New Zealand
Kenneath Bromwich Māori New Zealand —– New Zealand
Xavier Coates Queensland Papua New Guinea
Harry Grant Queensland Queensland Queensland Australia
Jahrome Hughes New Zealand New Zealand
Tui Kamikamica Fiji Fiji
Felise Kaufusi Queensland Queensland Tonga
Josh King Prime Minister's XIII
Tepai Moeroa Cook Islands
Cameron Munster Queensland Queensland Australia
Jayden Nikorima Māori
Justin Olam Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea
Brandon Smith New Zealand New Zealand
Reimis Smith Māori

Statistics

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This table contains playing statistics for all Melbourne Storm players to have played in the 2022 NRL season.

Players are added as they play their first game in the season.

Name Appearances Tries Goals Field goals Points
Grant Anderson 6 2 0 0 8
Nelson Asofa-Solomona 23 4 0 0 16
Jesse Bromwich 23 1 0 0 4
Kenneath Bromwich 24 3 0 0 12
Xavier Coates 17 16 0 0 64
Tom Eisenhuth 6 0 0 0 0
Harry Grant 20 7 0 0 28
Jordan Grant 3 0 0 0 0
Jahrome Hughes 21 12 0 0 48
Dean Ieremia 11 3 0 0 12
George Jennings 1 1 0 0 4
Cooper Johns 4 0 0 0 0
Tui Kamikamica 16 2 0 0 8
Felise Kaufusi 21 3 0 0 12
Josh King 25 1 0 0 4
Chris Lewis 16 1 0 0 4
Trent Loiero 17 2 0 0 8
Alec MacDonald 12 1 0 0 4
Nick Meaney 23 13 48 0 148
Tepai Moeroa 8 1 0 0 4
Cameron Munster 22 11 7 0 58
Jayden Nikorima 1 0 0 0 0
David Nofoaluma 6 4 0 0 16
Justin Olam 23 10 0 0 40
Ryan Papenhuyzen 12 14 41 1 139
Marion Seve 15 3 0 0 12
Brandon Smith 21 3 0 0 12
Reimis Smith 9 1 0 0 4
Young Tonumaipea 2 2 0 0 8
Christian Welch 1 0 0 0 0
Tyran Wishart 15 0 0 0 0
31 players used 121 96 1/0 677

Scorers

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Most points in a game: 28 points

  • Round 4 – Ryan Papenhuyzen (4 Tries, 6 Goals) vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs

Most tries in a game: 4

  • Round 4 – Ryan Papenhuyzen vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
  • Round 7 – Xavier Coates vs New Zealand Warriors

Winning games

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Highest score in a winning game: 70 points

  • Round 7 vs New Zealand Warriors

Lowest score in a winning game: 15 points

  • Round 2 vs South Sydney Rabbitohs

Greatest winning margin: 60 points

  • Round 7 vs New Zealand Warriors

Greatest number of games won consecutively: 6

  • Round 4 – Round 9

Losing games

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Highest score in a losing game: 30 points

  • Round 16 vs Manly Sea Eagles

Lowest score in a losing game: 6 points

  • Round 10 vs Penrith Panthers
  • Round 11 vs North Queensland Cowboys
  • Round 17 vs Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks

Greatest losing margin: 30 points

  • Round 11 vs North Queensland Cowboys

Greatest number of games lost consecutively: 4

  • Round 16 – Round 19

Jerseys

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In December 2020, Melbourne Storm announced a new 5 year sponsorship and apparel partnership agreement with British sportswear company, Castore. They will continue produce supporter wear and jersey for season 2022, the design announced on 14 January 2021 will be the same for 2022. Throughout the 2022 season, the club has used six different jerseys.

Home

The home jersey features a classic V shape on the chest with a yellow outline. Among the special features Castore has incorporated in the new jersey is a lightning bolt design on the sleeve and the inclusion of a Big V logo on the inner collar as a continuation of the Our Home, Victoria acknowledgment which began during the 2020 season to honor Storm's home state.

Away

The away jersey, worn when the home jersey creates a clash with the opposition, is a similar design to the home jersey but in majority white; worn with navy blue shorts and either navy blue or white socks with navy blue cuffs

Anzac Day

An alternate jersey, showcasing elements of the club's Anzac Day game day ceremony was worn against New Zealand Warriors in round 7. The jersey was rendered in an almost royal blue and featured elements including the silhouette of the Kokoda Track memorial located at the 1,000 Steps trail in the Dandenong Ranges National Park.[101]

Indigenous Round

Designed by indigenous artist Coree Thorpe, of the Yorta Yorta, Gunnai, Gunditjmara and Wurundjeri nations, the 2022 Melbourne jersey worn during Indigenous Round was inspired by the Rainbow Serpent with yellow and orange lines across a majority purple base. The design also features a diamond pattern "symbolising the men and women who come together to form Melbourne Storm."[102]

Alternate

On 30 June 2021 Castore announced a fan competition to design a jersey for the 2022 season which would become an alternate to the main home and away jerseys.[103] The winning design was revealed on 22 May 2022 with the jersey worn in round 15. Designed by club season ticket holder Josh Flood, the mostly navy blue jersey features electric yellow lightning bolts.[104]

Heritage

Revealed on 6 July 2022 to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the 2012 premiership victory, Melbourne released a jersey design based on the home jersey worn during the 2012 season. The jersey was worn in round 18 against Canberra during the club's "Old Boys Weekend".[105]

Awards

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Notes

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  1. ^ Home games played at AAMI Park only
  2. ^ Previous First Grade RL club: This column denotes the previous RL club the player was signed to and played first grade RL for. If they are yet to debut then this is stipulated. If they were merely signed to the club but did not play then it is not counted
  3. ^ a b c Subsequently contracted by the Sunshine Coast Falcons
  4. ^ Until the end of the 2022 season.

References

edit
  1. ^ a b "Bromwich and Welch to captain Storm in 2022". melbournestorm.com.au. 2 March 2022. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
  2. ^ Lenehan, Martin (10 September 2022). "Raiders keep season alive with stunning Storm upset". NRL.com. Retrieved 10 September 2022.
  3. ^ Meyn, Travis (22 January 2023). "Munster deal turns stormy for Dolphins". The Courier-Mail. Brisbane, Queensland: Nationwide News Pty Ltd. p. 78.
  4. ^ a b Smart, Nick. "NRL 2021: Melbourne Storm players pushed to the limit at notorious 'I Don't Quit' camp". Code Sports. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  5. ^ a b "Josh King brings home the 'iron bar' for best on camp". Instagram. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  6. ^ "Nelson Asofa-Solomona back at training". melbournestorm.com.au. 3 February 2022. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
  7. ^ Pryde, Scott (12 December 2021). "New twist in Asofa-Solomona vaccination case revealed by Storm captain". Zero Tackle. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
  8. ^ a b Suttor, Paul (27 February 2022). "Storm's spine looking wobbly with Johns injured in trial win over Knights". theage.com.au. Nine Media. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
  9. ^ a b Walter, Brad (12 March 2022). "Storm secure costly win against gutsy Tigers". nrl.com. National Rugby League. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
  10. ^ a b c d e f Middleton, David. 2022 Official Rugby League Annual. Sydney: League Information Services.
  11. ^ a b Lenehan, Martin (17 March 2022). "Happy 500th! Storm survive scare to send Bellamy home a winner". NRL.com. National Rugby League. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  12. ^ a b Walter, Brad (26 March 2022). "No Stone unturned: Eels snatch golden point win in epic clash with Storm". NRL.com. National Rugby League. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
  13. ^ "Storm secure major signings". melbournestorm.com.au. 1 April 2022. Retrieved 3 April 2022.
  14. ^ Ward, Roy (1 April 2022). "Coates, Grant and Hughes pledge allegiance to Melbourne Storm". smh.com.au. Nine Media. Retrieved 3 April 2022.
  15. ^ a b Kennedy, Chris (3 April 2022). "Storm pile on the points as Papenhuyzen bags four against Bulldogs". NRL.com. National Rugby League. Retrieved 3 April 2022.
  16. ^ "Team Update: Round 6 v Sharks". melbournestorm.com.au. 15 April 2022. Retrieved 16 April 2022.
  17. ^ Lutton, Phil. "A Munster masterpiece gives the Sharks a reality check in Melbourne". smh.com.au. Nine Media. Retrieved 16 April 2022.
  18. ^ a b Newton, Alicia (25 April 2022). "Coates scores four as Storm notch 60-point win over Warriors". NRL.com. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  19. ^ Clark, Laine (28 October 2022). "Melbourne Storm NRL player Tui Kamikamica's assault charge dismissed in court". 7news.com.au. Seven West Media. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  20. ^ "Tui Kamikamica cleared for NRL return after serving nine-week ban following breach notice". abc.net.au. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 4 May 2022. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  21. ^ "Tui Kamikamica to return in Round 10 after breach notice". NRL.com. National Rugby League. 4 May 2022. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  22. ^ Newton, Alicia (8 May 2022). "Papenhuyzen injured as Storm continue points-spree in Dragons rout". NRL.com. National Rugby League. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
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