Storming start for underdog

They have been the surprise packet that has flown below the radar to start off the FNQRL 2024 season.

Edmonton Storm won just three games in 2023, finishing 10th out of 11 teams.

To start 2024, they have won three from three and sit second, behind last year’s premiers Cairns Brothers.

Storm coach Mark Volpe said his players were gelling well together. “We are really happy with the season so far, we are just taking it week by week which is our mentality so far,” Volpe said.

“It is still early days but it will be the next couple of weeks that will determine how I think we will go this year.

“Just going to keep focusing on ourselves but we know that Brothers, Innisfail and Ivanhoes are going to be the benchmark this year.

“So to have a hit out against them (Ivanhoes) will be really our first challenge. Tully were a challenge and they will get better as the season goes along but this weekend will be a real tester for us.”

The Storm took care of Tully with a massive 54-16 win in round four, their biggest victory this season.

Edmonton started the year off with two games on the road, knocking off Southern Suburbs (40-10) in round one and then Yarrabah Sea Hawks (48-22) in round two before the bye in round three.

Now, the Storm will take on last year’s minor premiers in round five, Ivanhoe Knights before taking on last year’s grand finalists Innisfail Leprechauns.

The round six clash against Innisfail does start a three game run at home for Edmonton as they look to continue to take it to the rest of the competition.

“We were just on our game (against Tully) and they just didn’t have anything go their way,” Volpe said.

Kick off between Edmonton and Ivanhoe is at 3pm on April 21 at Smithfield Sporting Complex.