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Melbourne Storm 2025 NRL Season Update: Squad Announcements and Match Results

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Melbourne Storm 2025 NRL Season Update

Pre-Season Challenge

The Melbourne Storm named a 26-player squad for a pre-season challenge game against the Canberra Raiders. The match was scheduled for a Friday night at Seiffert Oval in Queanbeyan. Mark Russell was appointed to coach the team, with Head Coach Craig Bellamy in attendance. The squad included emerging talent from the club's pathway system and senior players.

Hugo Peel was named at fullback. Wingers included Luke Cesari and Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown, with Marion Seve and Moses Leo in the centres. Eli Morris and Jordan Hamlin were selected in the halves. New signings Davvy Moale and Jack Hetherington were named in the forward pack, joined by Gabriel Satrick, Ativalu Lisati, Cooper Clarke, and Trent Loiero. The bench comprised NSW Cup, development, and academy players.

The Storm's subsequent pre-season challenge game was against the Gold Coast Titans on Saturday, February 21, at Sunshine Coast Stadium.

Round 1: Season Opener vs. Parramatta Eels

Squad Announcement

Coach Craig Bellamy announced the squad for the season-opening match against the Parramatta Eels at AAMI Park. The starting lineup was:

  • Fullback: Sua Fa’alogo
  • Wingers: Will Warbrick and Nick Meaney
  • Centres: Jack Howarth and Moses Leo
  • Halves: Vice-captains Cameron Munster and Jahrome Hughes
  • Hooker: Captain Harry Grant
  • Front-row: Stefano Utoikamanu and Josh King
  • Edges: Joe Chan and Ativalu Lisati
  • Lock: Alec MacDonald

The bench included Cooper Clarke (front-rower) and Preston Conn (second-rower), both in line to make their NRL debuts. New signing Davvy Moale was also set to debut for the Storm. Clarke was named Storm U19 Player of the Year, and Conn was recognized as the NSWRL Jersey Flegg Cup Player of the Year for 2025.

Lazarus Vaalepu, Angus Hinchey, and Trent Toelau were listed as extended reserves. Jack Hetherington, Shawn Blore, and Trent Loiero were unavailable due to suspensions.

Match Result

The Melbourne Storm defeated the Parramatta Eels 52-4. This victory extended coach Craig Bellamy's round-one win record to 23 consecutive years.

Parramatta scored first in the fourth minute when Sean Russell crossed the try line, following efforts from Mitchell Moses and Jonah Pezet. Eels player J'maine Hopgood was sin-binned early in the match. Storm lock Alex MacDonald left the game due to a head injury.

Melbourne led 18-4 at half-time and added six more tries in the second half. Halfback Jahrome Hughes, returning from off-season shoulder surgery, provided three try assists. Hooker Harry Grant scored two tries, darting from dummy half. Grant left the field in the second half with what was initially feared to be a hamstring injury but was later identified as a cramp. Fullback Sualauvi Fa'alogo scored two tries. The 52-4 result represents the largest loss in Eels coach Jason Ryles's career.

Round 5: Match vs. Penrith Panthers

Coach Craig Bellamy finalized the squad for the Round 5 match against the Penrith Panthers at CommBank Stadium.

  • Centre: Nick Meaney returned to the centre position. Manaia Waitere made his first NRL start for the club, also at centre, replacing Jack Howarth, who was sidelined due to a hip injury.
  • Hooker: Captain Harry Grant led the team, marking his 110th appearance for the Storm.
  • Starting Lineup Adjustment: Cooper Clarke started in place of Alec MacDonald.
  • Interchange Bench: Included utility Tyran Wishart, along with forwards Davvy Moale, Jack Hetherington, and Alec MacDonald.

The game was scheduled to kick off at 8 PM, with live coverage on Channel 9 and Fox Sports.

Upcoming Round 8: ANZAC Round Match vs. South Sydney Rabbitohs

Event Details

The Round 8 NRL match will feature the Melbourne Storm against the South Sydney Rabbitohs on Saturday, April 25, at AAMI Park. The Spirit of ANZAC Medal will be awarded to the player judged as best on field, with the winning team's coach selecting the recipient.

Team Announcements

The Melbourne Storm confirmed their team for the ANZAC Day match. The starting lineup is unchanged from the team's previous match in Round 7.

  • Wing: Manaia Waitere will play on the wing, with Nick Meaney moving to right wing.
  • Second-row: Cooper Clarke will start in the second-row position.
  • Hooker: Harry Grant will be the team captain.
  • Halves: Cameron Munster and Jahrome Hughes, the team's vice-captains, will play in the halves.
  • Interchange: Shawn Blore is set to make his 50th appearance for the Melbourne Storm, named on the bench. Josiah Pahulu and Hugo Peel are listed among the interchange and could debut. Jack Hetherington is in line to play his 100th NRL game.

Full Team Lists

Melbourne Storm Team: 1. Sualauvi Faalogo 2. William Warbrick 3. Jack Howarth 4. Nick Meaney 5. Manaia Waitere 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Joe Chan 12. Cooper Clarke 13. Trent Loiero 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Shawn Blore 17. Davvy Moale 19. Hugo Peel 20. Trent Toelau 21. Josiah Pahulu

South Sydney Rabbitohs Team: 1. Matthew Dufty 2. Alex Johnston 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Jack Wighton 5. Campbell Graham 6. Cody Walker 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Bronson Garlick 10. Sean Keppie 11. Brandon Smith 12. Tallis Duncan 13. Cameron Murray 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Lachlan Hubner 16. Jayden Sullivan 17. Keaon Koloamatangi 18. Euan Aitken 19. Liam Le Blanc 22. Edward Kosi

Key Milestones to Watch: Shawn Blore's 50th Storm appearance, Jack Hetherington's 100th NRL game, and the prestigious Spirit of ANZAC Medal all hang in the balance for Saturday's clash.