Season 27 – Player Report Card (Part 2)
2024 Storm Machine Player of the Year awards
In part one we looked at the players who finished in the top ten of the leaderboard.
Here’s the rest of the squad report card.
Class of 2024
2024 saw five players make their Storm and/or NRL debut.
Report card continued
Christian Welch
Equal 11th – 6 points in 5 appearances; 20 matches played.
Relieved of the captaincy before the start of the season, the white rhino was a solid performer in his 20 matches for the season. He did miss a chunk of matches due to injury in July-August, but returned in time for the finals to resume his role in the forward rotation. Inducted as a life member of the club during the season, Welch announced his medical retirement due to injury before the start of the 2025 season.
Jack Howarth
Equal 11th – 6 points in 4 appearance; 16 matches played, 4 tries
Still young in rugby league teams, Howarth finally made a case for promotion into the Storm squad after a bunch of games in the Queensland Cup for the Falcons. It would be at right centre inside Will Warbrick that he grasped the chance to come in for the injured Reimis Smith, with the coaches impressed enough that Smith was released and Warbrick held down the position for the rest of the season. Looked good in a number of matches, including the round 20 and 24 wins against quality opposition. Will be a little disappointed with his performance in the Grand Final where he made a few rookie errors that he will want to learn from in 2025.
Grant Anderson
Equal 11th – 6 points in 3 appearances; 14 matches played, 8 tries
Four tries in the first couple of months for the Sunshine Coast Falcons saw Anderson return to the Storm line-up for an extended run for the first time in his career. Initially coming in as cover for Xavier Coates, he would also deputise for Will Warbrick on the right edge, also showing some versatility by playing in the centres. Despite not scoring a try, he had his best game since his 2022 debut against the Knights in round 14. In all the Grant Anderson Experience got positive reviews in 2024.
Nelson Asofa-Solomona
14th – 5 points in 5 appearances; 19 matches played, 2 tries.
After suffering an injury interrupted preseason, the big Kiwi missed the first six weeks of the NRL season, instead turning out for the Bears in two games in NSW Cup.1 Upon his return to the Storm squad it was a solid, but not flashy season for the forward in his 10th NRL season. Would work his way into a starting role as the season progressed, but his sin bin and suspension in the preliminary final was a disappointment. Missing the Grand Final creating a nagging what if for Storm fans. His five match suspension was excessive, but he should be able to return in round 2 in 2025 after serving most of that suspension during the international season. Suspect NAS will be looking for a bigger 2025 campaign alongside Stefano Utoikamanu.
Shawn Blore
Equal 15th – 4 points in 3 appearances; 24 matches played, 2 tries.
Crossing from the Tigers during the preseason camp put him a little bit behind the rest of the squad, but he didn’t look back after coming into the NRL squad in round 3. Was a solid performer on the left edge inside Howarth and Coates and never really put a foot wrong. His best performance was against the Roosters in round 20. With a full Storm preseason to come, the Samoan international could be even better in 2025.
Tui Kamikamica
Equal 15th – 4 points in 3 appearances; 22 matches played, 1 try.
Steady as she goes for the big Fijian. Played his 100th Storm match in round 12 and started most of the season in the front row, with a few games off the bench. Had a big match against the Broncos in round 5 and scored a try against Parramatta at Magic Round. With the arrival of Stefano Utoikamanu in 2025, Tui will need to step up again if Melbourne are to go one better next year.
Sualauvi Fa’alogo
Equal 15th – 4 points in 4 appearances; 14 matches played, 8 tries.
The Victorian sensation had a delayed start to the year due to injury, but was able to fit in a couple of matches with the Bears in March. A hat-trick for the Bears in round 2 was followed by a stint on the sidelines through injury, finally returning to the NRL squad in round 9 scoring a try against the Titans. Replacing an injured Ryan Papenhuyzen through the middle of the season, he had an extended run in the Storm set up, scoring a double at Go Media Stadium in round 15. With Paps back he scored another double in round 18 and thrilled AAMI Park with two more tries against the Dolphins in round 25. Ended the season with the Bears, scoring a try in the NSW Cup grand final. Will be interesting to see what role he plays in 2025 and what the future may hold.
Nick Meaney
Equal 18th – 3 points in 1 appearance; 24 matches played, 5 tries, 106 goals.
After showing his utility value in previous seasons, Meaney made the right centre position his own in 2024. His try scoring was down on previous seasons, but his goalkicking percentage of 78.5% was more than adequate. He scored 232 points for the season to fall just short of Matt Geyer’s 1999 record, going past 600 points for the club in the preliminary final.
Joe Chan
Equal 18th – 3 points in 3 appearances; 11 matches played, 1 try.
Started the season in the NRL squad, but lost his spot to Shawn Blore. Had a couple of other spells in the bench forward role, scoring his first NRL try in round 8 which was probably his best game for the season. Missed out on cracking the 17 in the back half of the season, instead turning out for the Bears after switching from the Tigers. Was in North Sydney’s grand final squad and might have been unlucky to have not been selected for the Storm in the final match of the season.
Alec MacDonald
20th – 2 points in 2 appearances; 22 matches played, 2 tries.
Cemented his role as the bench middle forward in 2024, making the number 17 jersey his own. 22 appearances with tries in consecutive weeks late in the season was reward for his hard work in the middle. Loved for his efficient tackling, MacDonald has been signed long-term and will improve again in 2025.
Reimis Smith
Equal 21st – 1 point; 12 matches played, 5 tries.
Started the season for Melbourne inside Xavier Coates on Melbourne’s left flank, scoring five tries including a double against Parramatta at Magic Round. After 12 appearances, an untimely concussion saw Jack Howarth take his spot and Smith had to bide his time in NSW Cup with the Bears. He was released by the Storm in July to link up with the Catalans Dragons where he played five matches to end the season. Smith in total made 68 appearances for the Storm, scoring 25 tries.
Lazarus Vaalepu
Equal 21st – 1 point; 7 matches played (once as unused interchange), 1 try.
The Storm development player made his NRL debut against the Roosters in round 20, and was lightly used for the next month off the bench. Returned for the final two matches of the season, scoring a try against the Cowboys. In all played 127 minutes of NRL action before being thrust into the Grand Final squad in place of the suspended Nelson Asofa-Solomona. His 17 matches for the Falcons in the front row earned him the opportunity and it will be interesting to see his progression ahead of next season.
Bronson Garlick
Equal 21st – 1 point; 4 matches played.
Suffered an injury that delayed his start to the 2024 season, then after eight appearances with the Bears, finally made it back to the NRL squad in round 14 against the Knights. Was impressive in Melbourne’s win against the Raiders, but had to leave the field in round 18 with back spasms. That back injury would keep him sidelined until September, when he was finally cleared to play in North Sydney’s finals campaign. Scored the Bears first try in the NSW Cup Grand Final, but couldn’t get his team over the line in a frantic final few minutes.
Jonah Pezet
Equal 21st – 1 point; 3 matches played.
The young (he’s still just 21) playmaker started the season in the NRL in place of the injured Cameron Munster. Played great against the Panthers in round 1, but went back to Queensland Cup with the Tigers following Munster’s return in round 4. Disaster struck in his third match up north, tearing his ACL to be out for the rest of the season. Once his rehab is done, he’ll be looking to make up for lost time in 2025.
Tepai Moeroa
Not ranked – 4 matches played.
Another frustrating, injury-filled season for Moeroa. Made four NRL appearances, to take his total to 22 across four seasons with Melbourne. Did make 11 appearances with the North Sydney Bears across the back half of the season, including their grand final defeat by Newtown. The Cook Islands representative will be looking for a fresh start in 2025, and is likely to be heading to the Super League.
Kane Bradley
Not ranked – 4 matches played.
Not many NRL opportunities for Bradley in 2024. He scored four tries in 12 Queensland Cup appearances for the Brisbane Tigers, but did make consecutive Storm appearances in rounds 17 and 18.
Chris Lewis
Not ranked – 4 matches played.
Kept at the club for one more season, Lewis started the season in the NRL squad playing limited minutes from the bench in the first three matches of the season. After that he was back at the Sunshine Coast Falcons playing in the front row for most of the season, scoring three tries in 12 appearances. His final Storm appearance came in the round 23 win against the Rabbitohs, a 12-minute cameo to finish the match. Lewis ends his time in Melbourne with 45 appearances across five seasons, mostly in a bench forward role.
Dean Ieremia
Not ranked – 2 matches played.
Was a constant for the Bears in 2025, scoring eight tries in 20 appearances for North Sydney. Came into the Storm team in round 15 and scored a try in his first appearance for the club since 2022. Returned to the NRL side in round 26, but struggled a little against a red-hot Cowboys backline.
Marion Seve
Not ranked – 1 match played.
Just nine appearances for the Brisbane Tigers for Seve in 2024, scoring three tries. Spent much of the middle of the season on the sidelines. Came in to the Storm squad in round 26 for his sole NRL appearance for the season, but lasted only 15 minutes before injury struck again. Will be looking to recover from that ankle syndesmosis to try and add to his 47 NRL matches in 2025.
Young Tonumaipea
Not ranked – 1 match played.
Scored five tries in 13 appearances for the Sunshine Coast Falcons, after missing a chunk of time in the middle of the season due to injury. Eventually made just the one Storm appearance for the season against the Cowboys. That would prove to be his swansong for Melbourne, with the Victorian not offered a new contract for 2025 ending his second spell at the club with 55 matches played across eight seasons.
Keagan Russell-Smith
Not ranked – 1 match played.
In his final season of eligibility for the Jersey Flegg Cup, KRS started the year in the Storm squad for the first try at Belmore, then switched up to the Bears, made a couple of cameo appearances for the Thunderbolts, before heading up to play with the Tigers in Queensland. His NRL debut coming in round 26 against the Cowboys saw him play 66 minutes in the halves following the injury to Ryan Papenhuyzen and the reshuffle. One to watch for the future.
Ativalu Lisati
Not ranked – 1 match played, 1 try.
A midseason transfer from Penrith, Lisati made the move to the Bears in NSW Cup. He would make his Storm debut as player #237 in the round 26 match against the Cowboys, scoring a memorable try late in the match. He would play in the Bears grand final loss to the Jets. Contracted to the end of next season, he’ll be looking for more first grade chances in 2025.
Tristan Powell
Not ranked – 1 match played.
The hard-working prop forward averaged over 50 minutes per match in his 15 appearances for the Brisbane Tigers in 2024, scoring two tries. His work was rewarded with his NRL debut in Melbourne’s match against the Cowboys in round 26. Storm player #238 played 43 minutes off the bench, making 22 tackles. It looks like he will be looking for opportunities elsewhere in 2025, having not been offered a Storm contract.
Aaron Pene
Not ranked – No matches played.
Played in the first trial game of the season at Belmore, then featured for the Sunshine Coast Falcons for four matches before rumours started that he was going to be released from his second spell with Melbourne. That speculation proved accurate when he was released from the Storm in May, eventually signing up for Super League’s Leigh Leopards. He would play 15 matches mostly off the bench for Leigh, including their semi final loss to eventual champions Wigan.
His first appearances in that competition since playing five games for the Sharks in 2014.