Storm Man logo used to underline legacy

A FLASH of lightning on big purple double doors marks the spot.

Behind it are an honour wall – where every Melbourne Storm player’s name is listed in order of appearance, from Marcus Bai (No.1) to Max King (No.199) – a second more demure door and one of Australian sport’s most successful locker rooms.

Fromthe gateway it is hard to miss the two words plastered on a prominent wall beneath the iconic “Storm Man” emblem.

In bold text, it reads: “THE PROTECTOR”.

One player who was recently asked about the guarded slogan had “no comment to make on it”, while another spoke only briefly and in general terms about its significance.

Make no mistake, for the Storm the secret creed is no run-of-the-mill footy slogan but a bedrock of its sacred and revered culture.

Cameron Smith’s leadership group first canvassed “The Protector” mentality during a preseason camp in Geelong “several years” back, having identified a need to connect the club’s past and present.

Why? Because Smith’s teammates at the time had been between finger-painting and pen licences when the Storm of seasons past surged into finals like a king tide devouring sand.

“We just wanted to make a point of the strength of the ‘Storm Man’ and the way he breaks through the clouds holding that lightning bolt,” Smith told News Corp.

“It’s just a picture of strength, everyone protecting everyone and that’s the way we wanted to approach our footy.”

The Storm have qualified for 10 preliminary finals during the tenure of master coach Craig Bellamy and Smith – 16 and 17 seasons respectively.

The only thing more impressive than the four consecutive grand final appearances from 2006-09 was the swiftness of the rebuild following the salary cap era and premiership.

“The discussion was about each individual going out, on game day and each day at training, to protect one another, the Storm brand, and legacy that each player has left for us to carry on,” Smith said.

“That’s what The Protector is. It’s something we speak about and see every time we’re at training. That logo is a reminder for us every time we walk through those doors ... of who’s been here before and what they’ve been able to achieve.”

The Storm have played in nine grand finals in the 20 years since their inaugural 1998 season. landmark

Smith has appeared in 37 finals, 17 more than both Jesse Bromwich and Dale Finucane, the next best, and 36 more than five Storm stars in action tonight and desperate to keep the 2019 season alive.

“You got to remember the club started in 1998 and won its first premiership in ’ 99 – some guys in our squad were only just born in and around those years,” Smith said.

“Most of them now, they were still in primary school when guys like myself and Billy (Slater) and Ryan Hoffman and Will Chambers were playing in grand finals.

“It was important we sat down and discussed exactly how the club came about and who were the guys that really gave us an opportunity to be where we are today.”

Smith has had to adapt, both on and off the field, since he packed the car and embarked on the road trip of a lifetime to Melbourne in 2002, with Billy Slater and Cooper Cronk riding shotgun.

“To be able to play at the one club for such a long time I feel very fortunate to do that,” said the NRL record-holder for games played, 409.

“I’m very proud of what I’ve been able to achieve personally, but to see so many great players, more importantly so many great people, come through our club.

“Whenever they’ve ... applied themselves the way they need to, they’ve always left as better footballers, more importantly as better people.”