Many ports in the Storm
HAVE boots, will travel — that has been the tale of the tape for Melbourne Storm this season.
From pre-season trials in Hobart and Sunshine Coast to premiership games in Perth, Adelaide, Sydney and Auckland in New Zealand, living out of suitcases has become the norm.
Add Brisbane tonight and a Townsville trip later in the year, and the club’s frequent flyer balance has never been healthier.
Storm lock Dale Finucane says the heavy travel schedule has been good, especially with a number of young players getting a taste of NRL this season.
“We’ve done a fair bit of travelling but it doesn’t seem to worry us too much,” Finucane said.
“It doesn’t appear to bother the young guys too much, if you’re doing everything right during the week . . . as long as everyone’s individual preparation is good then it’s not an issue.
“It gives (younger players) an opportunity to be around the NRL team environment more regularly (on the road), which obviously is good for them.”
Finucane rejected offers from rival clubs early in the season to commit long-term to Storm.
The 25-year-old New South Welshman has enjoyed seeing the next-generation Storm stars take their chances.
“We’ve had a fair few young guys who had to come in and play a role within our team and they’ve done really well,” Finucane said.
Storm coach Craig Bellamy has been forced to spin the magnets this season, with injuries and Origin taking a toll.
Bellamy has unleashed nine Storm debutants — the most in a single season since 2013 — while developing guns Slade Griffin, Brodie Croft and Curtis Scott have added to their game tallies.
“It’s good to know that the Melbourne Storm future is in good hands, with our senior guys obviously towards the back end of their careers,” Finucane said.
Cameron Smith (soreness) and Tohu Harris (leg) trained yesterday and look set to face the Broncos.