Tip sheet: 10 talking points for the Storm in 2023

Melbourne appeared on track to challenge for the 2022 title with 11 wins in their opening 14 games before injuries and the representative period came back to bite them. 

Plenty went on in the the club's rollercoaster season both on and off field with a loss in the opening week of the finals adding salt into the wounds.

pan66.com reflects on the Storm's 2022 campaign, who stood out and where to next as they prepare for a potential final season under coach Craig Bellamy.

Munster's retention 

Praise be! One of the most played-out contract extensions in recent memory was finally put to bed in October with Cameron Munster putting pen to paper on a new deal that will make him a Storm player for life. 

It would've looked strange if Munster was in anything but purple to finish a career that seems to be getting better every season. 

Munster set up a career-high 16 tries in 2022 - his best-ever efforts - while he was a nuisance with the ball. Did we mention the one-on-one stripping ability that makes him the best in the game? He added another thieving eight to his tally. 

His re-signing is heartbreak for the Dolphins but ensures the Storm have their No.1 strike weapon locked in to cause more havoc for years to come. 

Spine locked in

Munster's retention means the Storm have their 1, 6, 7 and 9 locked in long-term a what a spine it is.

Munster, Ryan Papenhuyzen, Jahrome Hughes and Harry Grant provide an attacking platform other teams can only dream of. 

The upside to their combination is they're all still relatively young but have a wealth of experience at different levels. 

For a club who have lost the likes of Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater over the years, they sure have led the way in how to replace them. 

Paps is back

Speaking of Papenhuyzen, his return will provide a major boost for the Storm in 2023 after a disruptive two seasons with injury. 

His kneecap setback this time is a worrying one with his rehab far more delicate than other major injuries where timeframes are more straightforward. 

Papenhuyzen won't take long to finding consistency when he does get back on the field but it might take him a little bit more time to rediscover the form that saw him claim the Clive Churchill medal in 2020. 

Silver lining to injury toll

The injury to Papenhuyzen was only one to a constant theme at the Storm in 2022 with the club hopeful their woes will be put behind them in the new season. 

Melbourne's backline depth took a hammering with a season-ending injuries to Reimis Smith and George Jennings were compounded by long lay-offs for Xavier Coates and Marion Seve throughout the year. 

It's not usually the case for the club with a fairly clean bill of health across most seasons under Craig Bellamy.

Christian Welch's achilles rupture added to the woes before Jahrome Hughes picked up a shoulder injury late in the season, Brandon Smith's suspension and the Origin period all seemed to catch up with the Storm in the end. 

Welch's return pivotal

Welch's comeback will feel like a new signing for the Storm in 2023 with the Queensland representative set to bring back a work rate and composure that the forward pack lacked at certain times in 2022. 

The 28-year-old is a proven performer who churns out consistent work. What can't be measured though is his talk on the field and ability to get everyone back on track if under adversity. 

Welch's importance to the side was noted when he was named captain alongside Jesse Bromwich in 2022 prior to injury. He is now the likely man to replace Bromwich permanently next season. 

Bellamy's last hurrah 

Craig Bellamy signed a five-year deal in 2022 that will allow him to pull the trigger on his head coaching role at any point and move into a coaching director's role at the club. 

That means each year he'll be hit with 'are you going around again, Craig?' until that contract expires in 2027. 

However, Bellamy has given the strongest indicate yet that 2023 will likely be his final season in charge of the Storm and for that reason alone it should give all players and fans the motivation to send him off in style. 

New-look forward pack

The Storm engine room will look nothing like it has in the past decade with the Dolphins raiding the club's most experienced forwards and Brandon Smith defecting to the Roosters. 

The departures of the Bromwich brothers - Jesse and Kenny - and Felise Kaufusi's decision to join them in Queensland means the Storm will have a fresh approach in 2023, which isn't necessarily a bad thing despite the key exits.

Former NSW forward Tariq Sims are among the signings to replace the trio with the 32-year-old an ideal replacement in the back-row. 

Warriors forward Eliesa Katoa has massive potential to be turned into a superstar under Bellamy's guidance. 

Katoa showed glimpses of his talent at the Warriors after coming onto the scene in 2020 and in the Storm system can reach his potential. 

Craig Bellamy also threw return serve before the season finish with Nelson Asofa-Solomona's switch to the right edge providing plenty of impact and food for thought going into the new year. 

A King emerges

If you want to look at the latest Craig Bellamy success story it's Josh King in 2022. The former Knight arrived in Melbourne searching for more game time and an opportunity to belong. 

King returned serve and played in all 25 games possible in 2022.

He finished the season off the bench and his minutes dropped as the year went on but with Brandon Smith off to the Roosters, expect King to build from his debut season at the club.

Membership sets the tone

Rugby League may not be the No.1 sport played in Melbourne but Storm fans continue to lead the way in membership with a record-breaking 40,000 in 2022. 

The remarkable feat ensures bums on seats for every game at AAMI Park and after a COVID-ravaged period over the past three years, support for the Storm has never been better. 

The Storm will be keen to improve on their home ground record after dropping four games at AAMI Park in 2022 - a fifth coming in Week 1 of the finals.

Howarth's time to shine

Storm rookie Jack Howarth wasn't sighted in first grade at all during 2022 despite signing a mega five-year deal with the club in January. 

The Storm's long-term investment in Howarth is warranted with the Queensland under 19s back-rower a promising talent coming through the system. 

With back-rowers Felise Kaufusi and Kenny Bromwich off to the Dolphins, now is the time for Howarth to put his hand up and produce a big summer of training.

Craig Bellamy isn't one to hand out jerseys no matter how depleted his squad may get with injuries so the 19-year-old is going to have to work hard for it.