'Vulnerable': Remarkable streak in grave danger

1 year ago 100

Every twelvemonth the doubters foretell the demise of the Storm - and Craig Bellamy invariably proves them wrong.

The Storm volition beryllium shooting for a singular 13th consecutive play successful the finals successful 2023 - but cracks are starting to look successful their armour.

The departure of the nucleus of the battalion successful caller play - Felise Kaufusi (Dolphins), Brandon Smith (Roosters), Jesse Bromwich (Dolphins) and Kenny Bromwich (Dolphins) - leaves the Storm looking distinctly susceptible up front.

It's a situation for Bellamy - but you would beryllium foolish to constitute disconnected the antheral wide accepted arsenic the champion manager successful rugby league.

2022 finishing position: 5th

Gains: Eliesa Katoa (Warriors), Tariq Sims (Dragons), Joe Chan (Catalans), Aaron Pene (Warriors).

Losses: Felise Kaufusi (Dolphins), Brandon Smith (Roosters), Jesse Bromwich (Dolphins), Kenny Bromwich (Dolphins), David Nofoaluma (Wests Tigers - instrumentality from loan), Cooper Johns (Sea Eagles).

Best 17:

Ryan Papenhuyzen

Nick Meaney

Reimis Smith

Justin Olam

Xavier Coates

Cameron Munster

Jahrome Hughes

Nelson Asofa-Solomona

Harry Grant

Christian Welch

Eliesa Katoa

Trent Loiero

Tui Kamikamica

Bench:

Tyran Wishart

Tom Eisenhuth

Alec MacDonald

Josh King

Best buy: Eliesa Katoa showed large committedness astatine the Warriors and should locomotion into the Storm battalion pursuing each the club's disconnected play departures. A sprinkle of the Bellamy magic particulate should crook him into a existent weapon.

Biggest loss: Brandon Smith is satellite people - and a subordinate who tin spell 80 minutes alternating betwixt fastener and hooker. He volition beryllium missed large time.

Greatest strength: The halfback operation of Cameron Munster and Jahrome Hughes

Biggest question mark: The quality to stay a large unit having mislaid truthful galore experienced players implicit the summer. It's happened earlier and they person maintained the rage - but sooner oregon aboriginal surely they volition travel backmost to the field.

Man nether pressure: Cameron Munster is 1 of the game's genuine superstars but helium is besides a spot of a 'wild child' disconnected the field. He needs a immense twelvemonth for the Storm to beryllium a rubric threat.

Predicted 2023 finishing position: 7th

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