The Melbourne Storm enters the 2026 NRL season looking to improve after finishing second in 2025. With Craig Bellamy driving their campaign for the 24th straight season, the club will be aiming to win their fifth official premiership.
Season Preview
While they’re the most consistent club in the NRL era, the Storm had an unwanted milestone in 2025: the first time they’ve lost consecutive grand finals. Even during their 2006-2009 and 2016-2018 runs, they never lost two in a row (including the stripped ’07 and ’09 premierships).
And the Storm will know they squandered a golden chance for another premiership: leading 22-12 at half-time, the Storm should have increased the lead to 28-12 early in the second half (denied by a Tui Kamikamica knock on over the tryline). Brisbane started their comeback a few minutes later and – aside from a couple of late opportunities – Melbourne couldn’t stop the Broncos’ momentum.
Melbourne enters 2026 with some big changes: Jack Hetherington (Knights) is their only major signing, and they’ve lost Bronson Garlick (Rabbitohs), Grant Anderson (Broncos), Nelson Asofa-Solomona (released), Dean Ieremia (released), Jonah Pezet (Eels), Ryan Papenhuyzen (released). Eliesa Katoa is out for at least 2026 after his concussion issues in the Pacific Championships. And no Xavier Coates, for between two to three months, is a big blow.
Melbourne wasn’t at their clinical best last season but still finished second and had enough class when they needed it in close games (and survived without Jahrome Hughes leading into the finals). They have plenty of firepower to be a contender, even if they miss the top four: Sua Fa’alogo should join Cam Munster, Hughes, and Golden Boot winner Harry Grant in the new-look spine, they have Will Warbrick and Coates (when he returns from injury) on the wings, and Stefano Utoikamanu, Josh King, and Trent Loiero will lead the forwards.
Best Signing
Jack Hetherington
While Hetherington isn’t everyone’s favourite player, moving to Melbourne – and training under Bellamy’s ruthless discipline – could be just what he needs. Hetherington is the modern “journeyman”: 96 games across four clubs since 2018 (Penrith, NZ Warriors, Canterbury-Bankstown, Newcastle). He’ll probably start in the Storm’s NSW Cup team, but can earn a first grade spot if he shows Bellamy he has the right attitude and can add value to a powerful side.
Key Player
Harry Grant
The current Australian and Queensland hooker, Grant is a superstar. Though his surprise Golden Boot win could put more pressure on him. Grant showed his character by alluding to Dylan Brown’s favouritism for the award, “You look at the way that some of the specific championships was played, it’s probably a little bit different to the way that the Ashes series went. You look at the shortlist of players that were in the running, and then how many great players are in the game in general, (I’m) definitely very humbled and proud to receive it.”
Despite all his other achievements, Grant is yet to win an NRL premiership: he was at the Wests Tigers when Melbourne won in 2020 and played in two losing grand finals for the Storm. A perfect season would be another Origin series win, a Storm premiership, and a Rugby League World Cup win for Australia, but a premiership would cement him as one of the modern greats.
Player to Watch
Sualauvi Fa’alogo
With Papenhuyzen’s departure, Fa’alogo could cement himself as the Storm’s fullback in 2026. Despite plenty of potential, he’s had to wait behind “Papi”, with only 22 games in three seasons (and injury disrupting most of 2025). He’s already scored 14 tries with his limited opportunities, so there’s every chance he can be the next superstar fullback once he settles into first grade. And he’ll have an experienced spine to support him as he develops.
Draw Analysis
Melbourne plays 11 of 12 home games at AAMI Park (with a Round 23 home game against Manly Warringah at Perth). They start with a blockbuster Thursday night game against Parramatta in Round 1 (looking to extend their undefeated opening round streak under Bellamy, who will remain at Melbourne until 2028), followed by a grand final rematch against Brisbane, and other box office home games against the Warriors, the Anzac Day game against Souths, the Sydney Roosters, Canberra (having clawed back their advantage after the Raiders’ five-game streak from 2019 to 2022), Canterbury-Bankstown, and Penrith. They travel to Wollongong, Townsville, Sydney (six times), Canberra, Perth, and Brisbane (three times). Their final bye in round 24 will be handy, as they finish the season with the home game against Penrith and trips to Brisbane (Broncos) and Sydney (Cronulla).
While the Storm struggles to break through the AFL dominance in Victoria, they have two chances with clear air: round 1 against Parramatta (with the AFL’s Opening Round game in Sydney) and round 6 against the Warriors (Gather Round in Adelaide).
Big Questions
- Can Grant back up his Golden Boot title?
- How motivating will the consecutive Grand Final losses be?
- Will Fa’alogo establish himself as the game’s next superstar fullback?
Predicted Finish
Finals Contender
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Related Items
- 🔁 2025 Season Review: https://rugbyleaguezone.com/melbourne-storm-2025-season-review-and-statistical-breakdown/
- 📅 2026 Draw & Fixtures: https://rugbyleaguezone.com/melbourne-storm-2026-nrl-fixtures-squad-list-and-player-signings/
