With the Panthers dropping a number of strike energy from their grand ultimate successful staff over the summer season, the bookies have put in Melbourne as title favourites this marketing campaign.
And with maestro Craig Bellamy pulling the strings for presumably the ultimate time and managing to maintain most of his roster intact, the omens are good for the Storm.
Melbourne removed some useless wooden, have some nice children coming by way of their system and have added Tigers colossus Stefano Utoikamanu to their ahead rotation.
READ MORE: ‘Full circle’ second for ex-UFC star in boxing debut
READ MORE: Slater floats Tigers ‘swap’ after $6m Luai signing
READ MORE: Australia’s second Champions Trophy conflict washed out
Utoikamanu was a child with promise on the Tigers – watch him grow to be an elite front-rower beneath Bellamy.
Stefano Utoikamanu The Mole Instagram
The road-up on the Storm is so robust that there might effectively not be a spot for budding celebrity Sua Fa’alogo within the 17-man line-up for spherical one.
Bellamy boasts the perfect backbone within the NRL with pocket rocket Ryan Papenhuyzen at fullback, dynamic duo Cam Munster and Jahrome Hughes within the halves and the sport’s prime hooker, Harry Grant, sporting the No.9 jumper.
He has constructed a staff across the 4 stars and everybody performs their half to perfection.
Watch the 2025 NRL premiership reside and free on 9 and 9Now.
The wing pairing of Will Warbrick and Xavier Coates rating tries for enjoyable, whereas within the centres Nick Meaney is very underrated and Jack Howarth was one of many huge improvers within the league in 2024.
The forwards are mainly sincere toilers excluding Eli Katoa, who with a sprinkling of Bellamy’s magic mud, turned probably the most harmful extensive runners within the league final season and may solely get higher.
Grant is a freak out of dummy-half and rival coaches know what he’s going to do every week – however appear powerless to cease him, such is his class.
Harry Grant is the sport’s main hooker. Getty
2025 features
Stefano Utoikamanu (Wests Tigers), Moses Leo (NZ rugby)
2025 losses
Reimis Smith (Catalans Dragons), Younger Tonumaipea (retired), Aaron Pene (Leigh Leopards), Chris Lewis (retired), Tepai Moeroa (launched)
Greatest purchase:
Utoikamanu is the one ‘identify’ signing the membership has made and having battled with the picket spooners in current seasons, he’ll love taking part in in a successful pack.
It is a huge season for:
The flashy Sua Fa’alogo – who might effectively not be within the staff for spherical one however will get his likelihood at some stage – and must seize it and develop into an everyday first grader.
He is adequate, that is for certain.
Sualauvi Faalogo is among the Storm’s brightest younger stars. Getty
Greatest query mark:
Depth within the forwards is a little bit of a priority, though the truth that not one of the Storm pack is more likely to play Origin shall be an enormous benefit.
Predicted end: 1st
Predicted 17 for spherical one:
1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Will Warbrick 3. Jack Howarth 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eli Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Joe Chan 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Alec MacDonald
Betting odds to win comp: $3.85
