Storm Lock In Speedsters
Melbourne Storm has locked in speed machines Suliasi Vunivalu and Josh Addo-Carr on longterm deals.
The Herald Sun understands Storm could unveil the coup as early as Wednesday, with Vunivalu, 21, and Addo-Carr, 22, set to sign until 2020 and 2021 respectively. The explosive wingers paced the 58-point South Sydney demolition last week, scoring five of the club’s 11 tries. The Herald Sun revealed last month Storm officials had begun talks to secure the devastating double-act beyond existing contracts and prevent poaching raids. Vunivalu needs one four-pointer in Saturday night’s home-and-away finale against Canberra at AAMI Park to clinch back-to-back NRL leading tryscorer titles. The Fijian scored twice in 28 minutes last week to move into equal first alongside injured Rabbitohs winger and clubhouse leader Alex Johnston (22).
Only Raider Jordan Rapana (20) and Addo-Carr (19) remain realistic chances of surging past the co-leaders. Vunivalu has scored 45 tries in his first two seasons — the most of any NRL player in history.
After his startling rookie season that netted 23 tries, the reigning Dally M Winger of the Year worked tirelessly on his footwork and finishing to avoid second-year blues.
“It’s surprising for me to score this fast and I’m enjoying it,” Vunivalu said recently.
“Scoring those tries last year, I didn’t know I would be scoring doubles and hat-tricks but I wouldn’t be putting those balls down without the help of the boys doing the hard work inside.”
‘The Fox’ Addo-Carr has also enjoyed a meteoric rise since joining the Storm machine from West Tigers, scoring in 13 of 23 games this year.
Storm last month re-signed young guns Brodie Croft (2020), Brandon Smith (2021) and Jahrome Hughes (2020).
STORM remains “an option” for Ryan Hoffman, set to play his last game for the New Zealand Warriors on Sunday.
Hoffman has attracted interest from Sydney NRL clubs and French giant Catalans.
“I’m getting very close,” Storm premiership star Hoffman told the Herald Sun. “Melbourne is certainly an option, I reckon I’ve got one more year of footy left in me.
“I’d love to finish off in Melbourne — it’d be a great fairytale to finish off there, but I’ve got some other options.
“Hopefully, I’ll be able to make a decision sooner rather than later.”