2021 Melbourne Storm season
NRL Rank1st (Minor Premier)
Play-off resultPreliminary Final Loss
2021 recordWins: 21; draws: 0; losses: 3
Points scoredFor: 815; against: 316
Team information
CEOAshley Tucker (interim)
Justin Rodski
CoachCraig Bellamy
Captain
StadiumAAMI Park - 30,050 (5 games)
Cbus Super Stadium - 27,400 (1 game)
Suncorp Stadium - 52,500 (3 games)
Sunshine Coast Stadium - 12,000 (3 games)
Avg. attendance14,285[lower-alpha 1]
High attendance20,320 (Round 7)[lower-alpha 1]
Top scorers
TriesJosh Addo-Carr (23)
GoalsNicho Hynes (58)
PointsRyan Papenhuyzen (157)
< 2020 List of seasons 2022 >

The 2021 Melbourne Storm season was the 24th in the club's history competing in the 2021 NRL season. The team is coached by Craig Bellamy, coaching the club for his 19th consecutive season. On 19 February 2021, the Melbourne Storm announced that Jesse Bromwich and Dale Finucane succeeded Cameron Smith, as co-captains of the club.[1]

The season was again affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia, with the club forced to relocate to Queensland for much of the season.

Melbourne claimed the J. J. Giltinan Shield for the fifth time as minor premiers, setting a number of club records (21 wins; 815 points). Melbourne tied the league record for most consecutive wins with 19 victories between rounds 4-23.

In a rematch of the 2020 NRL Grand Final, second placed Penrith Panthers knocked Melbourne out of the 2021 NRL finals in the preliminary final, ending hopes of back-to-back premierships.

Season summary

  • World Club Challenge – On 20 November 2020, it was announced that the World Club challenge (which the Storm would be competing in) would be postponed until later in 2021, owing to the push back of seasons due to COVID-19 and the ongoing pandemic itself preventing overseas travel. Articles later in 2021 confirmed that it has been cancelled and the 2022 challenge is also under a cloud.[2][3]
  • 12 February – Seven Melbourne players (Josh Addo-Carr, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Jesse Bromwich, Kenneath Bromwich, Jahrome Hughes, Brandon Smith and Reimis Smith) are forced to withdraw from the 2021 All Stars match due to a Victoria COVID-19 border closure.[4]
  • 18 February – Due to the possibility of travel restrictions, Newcastle Knights refuse to travel to Melbourne for their scheduled pre-season trial game at Casey Fields, with the match relocated to Albury.[5]
  • 19 February – The club announces that Jesse Bromwich and Dale Finucane have succeeded Cameron Smith, as co-captains of the club.[1]
  • 10 March – Cameron Smith officially announces his retirement from the game. This was done at a ceremony unveiling statues of himself and also Billy Slater at AAMI Park.[6]
  • Round 1 – The Storm open the 2021 NRL season with a win against South Sydney Rabbitohs at AAMI Park. This continued the streak of not having lost a Round 1 game since the 2001 NRL season. Tyson Smoothy also made his NRL debut.[7]
  • Round 4 – After two straight losses, the Storm demolish the Broncos 40–6. Ryan Papenhuyzen scored four tries in 11 minutes to equal the club record for the most scored in a single game, he also scored 5 goals and with a combined points total of 26, put him in second place for club record for the most points scored in a game. Christian Welch played his 100th NRL game and Trent Loiero made his debut.
  • Round 7 – Melbourne retain the Michael Moore Trophy winning 42–20 against the Warriors. George Jennings is substituted after 12 minutes due to concussion resulting from foul play, with Chris Lewis activated as a reserve player under the new NRL 18th man rule.[8]
  • Round 9 – Josh Addo-Carr scores a club record six tries in a game, becoming the first player in 71 years to score 6 tries in a first grade game in Australia.[9]
  • Round 10 – Melbourne host St George Illawarra at Suncorp Stadium during day three of the 2021 NRL Magic Round. Dragons centre Tyrell Fuimaono is sent off for a high tackle on Ryan Papenhuyzen who is left heavily concussed, with Dean Ieremia coming on as 18th man.[10]
  • 28 May – Storm announce that their Round 13 match had been moved to Sunshine Coast Stadium due to a COVID-19 outbreak in Melbourne. The club had been staying for a mid-season camp at their 2020 home away from home since just before Round 10.[11]
  • Round 13 – Reimis Smith is the first player sent to the sin bin from the Storm for the season, after a high tackle on Titans' Jaimin Jolliffe.[12]
  • 8 June – Storm announce that their Round 15 match has also been moved to Sunshine Coast Stadium.[13]
  • 10 June – Storm sign former Parramatta forward Tepai Moeroa from the NSW Waratahs, where he had been playing rugby union since 2020.[14]
  • 25 June – Sydney Roosters move their Round 16 home game against Melbourne to McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle, due to a COVID-19 outbreak in Sydney.[15]
  • 29 June – After 46 days away, Storm return home to Melbourne after checking out of their extended Sunshine Coast stay.[16][17]
  • Round 16 – Melbourne score 40+ points for the 10th time for the season, the first team to achieve that feat in Australian first grade rugby league.[18]
  • 14 July – Melbourne announce that they have broken the membership record, signing up over 27,000 members.[19]
  • 15 July – A COVID-19 outbreak in Victoria, saw the club forced to again relocate to Queensland, with the venue for the Round 18 game against Newcastle changed to CBus Super Stadium.[20][21][22]
  • Round 18 – Melbourne Storm score their 14th consecutive win with a 48 - 4 thrashing of the Newcastle Knights. The win was notable because they broke an 86 year old Rugby League record in the process, surpassing the Sydney Roosters’ 1935 record for the most points scored after 17 games in one year. At the end of the game the Storm points for was 632 the 1935 Roosters was 614.[23]
  • 23 July – The NRL confirm that Melbourne's Round 20 (home) and 21 (away) games will be played at Suncorp Stadium with the entire competition based in Queensland.[24]
  • Round 19 – The Storm defeat the Cowboys in a close game by four points to win their 15th consecutive game and equal the club record for the most consecutive wins. Josh Addo-Carr also scored his 100th NRL try.
  • 25 July – Club co-captain Dale Finucane announces that he will leave the Melbourne Storm at seasons end and join Cronulla Sharks in 2022 on a 4-year contract.[25]
  • 26 July – Nicho Hynes is nominated as the club representative for the NRL's Ken Stephen Medal for his work with young Indigenous children and as an ambassador for the Starlight Foundation.[26]
  • 27 July – Head coach Craig Bellamy agrees to a new long-term deal with the club to stay as coach in 2022, with a flexible role contract in place until the end of the 2026 NRL season.[27][28]
  • 30 July – Fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen signs a new contract to stay with Melbourne until the end of the 2025 NRL season.[29]
  • Round 20 – Melbourne defeat the Penrith Panthers to score their 16th straight win and set a new club record for the most consecutive wins. Ryan Papenhuyzen also played his 50th Game. The other notable aspect of the win was that at the end of the game the Storm points differential was 465 points, the largest in Australian rugby league history.[30]
  • 3 August – Reports surface that Melbourne Storm Chairman Matt Tripp put forward a proposal to the NRL to shift the 2021 NRL Grand Final to the MCG for a $10m fee.[31][32]
  • 6 August – Second-row forward Felise Kaufusi extends his contract with the club until the end of the 2022 season.[33]
  • Round 21 – Melbourne speed past 700 points scored in the regular season for only the second time in club history, passing the previous best of 704 from 2001. Tepai Moeroa makes his Storm debut, his first NRL game since playing against Melbourne in the 2019 NRL finals.
  • Round 22 – Melbourne Storm score their 18th consecutive win, 26–16 over Canberra and in doing so set a new club record for the most points scored in a season (surpassing 2004's 733 points in 26 games including finals).[34]
  • 17 August – Jordan Grant signs a contract to join the top-30 squad from 2022, while Isaac Lumelume signs on to extend his contract with the club. Melbourne also announce the signing of Bronson Garlick on a development contact.[35]
  • Round 23 – With their 19th straight victory, Melbourne equal the record of the 1975 Easts team for the longest winning streak Australian rugby league history.[36] Captain Jesse Bromwich wins his 200th first grade game in his 269th appearance, to become the fastest person to win 200 games. In his first Storm game since 2019, Marion Seve scores a try as Melbourne score 30+ points for the 14th time for the 2021 season. In addition, Josh Addo-Carr's two tries increased his season total to 23, equaling the club record for most tries scored in a season.
  • Round 24 – Parramatta Eels inflict Melbourne's first loss since March, ending the 19-game winning streak. The loss is Melbourne's first in Queensland since 2017, a stretch of 29 matches.
  • 30 August – Christian Welch, Jahrome Hughes, Brandon Smith and Nicho Hynes are nominated for the RLPA's Players' Champion Award for the 2021 season.[37][38]
  • Round 25 – Melbourne secure their fifth J. J. Giltinan Shield, defeating Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks to take the minor premiership on points difference ahead of Penrith. It is the eighth time the club has finished atop the NRL ladder. Daniel Atkinson makes his NRL debut, after only two Queensland Cup games; while captain Dale Finucane plays his 150th game for the club.[39]
  • Finals Week 1 – Melbourne Storm defeat the Manly Sea Eagles to earn a bye and progress directly to the Week 3 - Preliminary finals. Ryan Papenhuyzen scores 24 points including the clubs first 2-point field goal.
  • Finals Week 3 – In a rematch of the 2020 NRL Grand Final, Penrith defeat Melbourne 10–6 at Suncorp Stadium, the club's first loss in a finals game at the venue. Early injuries to Christian Welch and Brandon Smith proving costly in what was Dale Finucane, Josh Addo-Carr and Nicho Hynes' last game for the club. The defeat ending hopes of a back-to-back premiership.
  • 27 September – Craig Bellamy wins his sixth Coach of the Year award at the 2021 Dally M Awards. Justin Olam (centre) and Brandon Smith (hooker) both make the Dally M Team of the Year for the first time.[40]
  • 28 September – It is confirmed by CEO Justin Rodski that the NRL Integrity Unit is investigating Cameron Munster, Brandon Smith and Chris Lewis after video emerged on social media of the trio partying following the club's elimination from the NRL finals.[41]
  • 5 October – The NRL issues breach notices to Cameron Munster, Brandon Smith and Chris Lewis following the NRL Integrity Unit investigation. All three players are alleged to have brought the game into disrepute and are sanctioned with one-match suspensions and varying fines. The club also enforces additional penalties including suspended fines, removal from leadership groups, and additional behavioral measures.[42][43][44]
  • 20 December – The NRL formally stands down Tui Kamikamica under the league's no-fault stand-down policy, due to pending assault occasioning bodily harm charges against the Fijian. Kamikamica was earlier stood down by the club when news of the charges emerged in November, but was allowed to return to training.[45]

Milestone games

RoundPlayerMilestone
Round 1Reimis SmithStorm debut
Round 1George JenningsStorm debut
Round 1Tyson SmoothyNRL debut
Round 2Jesse Bromwich250th Game
Round 4Christian Welch100th Game
Round 4Trent LoieroNRL debut
Round 8Dean IeremiaNRL debut
Round 12Justin Olam50th Game
Round 18George Jennings50th Game
Round 18Tui Kamikamica50th Game
Round 18Jordan GrantNRL debut
Round 19Josh Addo-Carr100th NRL try
Round 20Ryan Papenhuyzen50th Game
Round 21Tepai MoeroaStorm debut
Round 24Felise Kaufusi150th Game
Round 25Daniel AtkinsonNRL debut
Qualifying FinalCameron Munster150th Game

Fixtures

Pre-season

Source:[46]

DateRoundOpponentVenueResultMel.Opp.Source
20 FebruaryTrial New Zealand WarriorsDolphin Stadium, RedcliffeMatch cancelled[47]
27 FebruaryTrial Newcastle KnightsAlbury Sports Ground, AlburyWin3010[48]

Regular season

Source:[49]

DateRoundOpponentHome/AwayVenueResultMel.Opp.TriesGoalsField goalsReport
11 March1 South Sydney RabbitohsHomeAAMI Park, MelbourneWon2618R Papenhuyzen (2), C Munster, J OlamR Papenhuyzen 5/6[50]
18 March2 Parramatta EelsAwayBankwest Stadium, ParramattaLost1216R Smith, J OlamR Papenhuyzen 2/2[51]
25 March3 Penrith PanthersAwayBlueBet Stadium, PenrithLost1012B Smith, J Addo-CarrC Munster 1/2[52]
2 April4 Brisbane BroncosHomeAAMI Park, MelbourneWon406R Papenhuyzen (4), G Jennings (2), C MunsterR Papenhuyzen 5/7, J Addo-Carr 1/1[53]
10 April5 Canterbury BulldogsAwayStadium Australia, SydneyWon5218F Kaufusi, J Hughes, C Welch, T Kamikamica, G Jennings, R Papenhuyzen, J Olam, J Addo-Carr, N HynesR Papenhuyzen 8/9[54]
16 April6 Sydney RoostersHomeAAMI Park, MelbourneWon204J Hughes, R Papenhuyzen, H GrantC Munster 0/1, R Papenhuyzen 4/5[55]
25 April7 New Zealand WarriorsHomeAAMI Park, MelbourneWon4220R Smith (2), J Addo-Carr (2), G Jennings, F Kaufusi, N Hynes, J OlamC Munster 5/8[56]
30 April8 Cronulla Sutherland SharksHomeAAMI Park, MelbourneWon4014R Smith (3), J Addo-Carr, T Eisenhuth, T Kamikamica, J Hughes, B SmithC Munster 4/8, N Hynes 0/1[57]
6 May9 South Sydney RabbitohsAwayStadium Australia, SydneyWon500J Addo-Carr (6), G Jennings (2), J Hughes, B SmithC Munster 5/10[58]
16 May10 St George-Illawarra DragonsHomeSuncorp Stadium, BrisbaneWon4418J Addo-Carr (3), K Bromwich, D Ieremia, N Asofa-Solomona, J Hughes, J Olam, G JenningsT Smoothy 3/5, N Hynes 1/4[59]
22 May11 Canberra RaidersAwayGIO Stadium, CanberraWon3410N Asofa-Solomona (2), C Lewis, R Smith, T Eisenhuth, T LoieroN Hynes 5/6[60]
27 May12 Brisbane BroncosAwaySuncorp Stadium, BrisbaneWon4012B Smith (2), T Kamikamica, J Addo-Carr, G Jennings, C Johns, N HynesN Hynes 6/7[61]
5 June13 Gold Coast TitansHomeSunshine Coast Stadium, Sunshine Coast[lower-alpha 2]Won2014R Smith, B Smith, T Loiero, G JenningsN Hynes 2/4[62]
13 June14 New Zealand WarriorsAwayCentral Coast Stadium, GosfordWon4216D Ieremia, B Smith, J Addo-Carr, J Hughes, J Olam, H Grant, T EisenhuthN Hynes 7/8[63]
19 June15 Wests TigersHomeSunshine Coast Stadium, Sunshine Coast[lower-alpha 2]Won6616R Smith (2), J Hughes (2), B Smith, N Hynes, C Munster, D Finucane, N Asofa-Solomona, F Kaufusi, T Eisenhuth, H GrantN Hynes 9/12[64]
1 July16 Sydney RoostersAwayMcDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle[lower-alpha 3]Won460J Addo-Carr (3), N Hynes, D Finucane, K Bromwich, C Munster, B SmithN Hynes 7/9[65]
10 July17Bye
17 July18 Newcastle KnightsHomeCbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast[lower-alpha 2]Won484J Olam (2), G Jennings (2), C Munster, N Hynes, J Hughes, R SmithN Hynes 8/8[66]
23 July19 North Queensland CowboysAwayQueensland Country Bank Stadium, TownsvilleWon2016J Addo-Carr (2), J Olam, R SmithN Hynes 2/4[67]
1 August[lower-alpha 4]20 Penrith PanthersHomeSuncorp Stadium, Brisbane[lower-alpha 2]Won3710D Ieremia (3), R Smith, J Bromwich, H Grant,C Munster 1/1, N Hynes 1/2,
R Papenhuyzen 4/4		R Papenhuyzen 1/1[68]
7 August21 Manly Sea EaglesAwaySuncorp Stadium, Brisbane[lower-alpha 5]Won2818J Olam (2), K Bromwich, C MunsterR Papenhuyzen 4/4, N Hynes 2/3[69]
12 August22 Canberra RaidersHomeSunshine Coast Stadium, Sunshine Coast[lower-alpha 2]Won2616B Smith, D Ieremia, C LewisN Hynes 4/4, R Papenhuyzen 3/3[70]
19 August23 Gold Coast TitansAwayCbus Super Stadium, Gold CoastWon3420J Addo-Carr (2), M Seve, H Grant, C Munster, N HynesR Papenhuyzen 5/6[71]
28 August24 Parramatta EelsHomeSuncorp Stadium, Brisbane[lower-alpha 2]Lost1022R Smith, I LumelumeR Papenhuyzen 1/2[72]
3 September25 Cronulla Sutherland SharksAwayCbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast[lower-alpha 6]Won2816R Papenhuyzen (3), B Smith, M SeveN Hynes 4/6[73]

Finals

Source:[74]

DateRoundOpponentVenueResultMel.Opp.TriesGoalsField GoalsReport
10 SeptemberWeek 1 - Qualifying Final Manly Sea EaglesSunshine Coast Stadium, Sunshine CoastWon4012R Papenhuyzen (2), I Lumelume, K Bromwich, C Welch, J OlamR Papenhuyzen 7/8R Papenhuyzen 1/1 (2pt)[75]
25 SeptemberWeek 3 - Preliminary Final Penrith PanthersSuncorp Stadium, BrisbaneLost610R PapenhuyzenR Papenhuzen 1/1[76]

Ladder

2021 NRL season
Pos Team Pld W D L B PF PA PD Pts
1 Melbourne Storm 2421031815316+49944
2 Penrith Panthers (P) 2421031676286+39044
3 South Sydney Rabbitohs 2420041775453+32242
4 Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 2416081744492+25234
5 Sydney Roosters 2416081630489+14134
6 Parramatta Eels 2415091566457+10932
7 Newcastle Knights 24120121428571−14326
8 Gold Coast Titans 24100141580583−322
9 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 24100141520556−3622
10 Canberra Raiders 24100141481578−9722
11 St. George Illawarra Dragons 2480161474616−14218
12 New Zealand Warriors 2480161453624−17118
13 Wests Tigers 2480161500714−21418
14 Brisbane Broncos 2470171446695−24916
15 North Queensland Cowboys 2470171460748−28816
16 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 2430211340710−3708

Coaching staff

  • Craig Bellamy – Head Coach[77]
  • Stephen Kearney – Assistant Coach
  • Marc Brentnall – Assistant Coach
  • Aaron Bellamy – Development Coach
  • Ryan Hinchcliffe – Development Coach
  • Frank Ponissi – Football Director
  • Ryan Hoffman – Football Administration Coordinator
  • Craig McRae – Kicking & Catching Coach
  • Billy Slater – Specialist Coach (Part-time)
  • Cooper Cronk - Halves Coach (Part-time)[78]
  • Tim Glasby - Recruitment Officer and Pathways Manager
  • Ben Jack – Victoria Thunderbolts (Under-21s) Head Coach
  • Jon Buchanan – Easts Tigers Feeder Club Coach
  • Sam Mahwinney – Sunshine Coast Falcons Feeder Club Coach

2021 squad

List current as of 14 June 2021

Cap Nat. Player name Position First Storm game Previous First Grade RL club [lower-alpha 7]
119 New Zealand Jesse Bromwich PR 2010 Australia Melbourne Storm
149 New Zealand Kenneath Bromwich PR,SR,LK 2013 Australia Melbourne Storm
160 Australia Cameron Munster FE,FB 2014 Australia Melbourne Storm
163 Australia Dale Finucane PR,SR,LK 2015 Australia Canterbury Bulldogs
164 Tonga Felise Kaufusi PR 2015 Australia Melbourne Storm
166 New Zealand Nelson Asofa-Solomona SR, PR 2015 Australia Melbourne Storm
167 Australia Christian Welch SR, PR 2015 Australia Melbourne Storm
176 Australia Josh Addo-Carr WG 2017 Australia Wests Tigers
177 Canada Ryley Jacks FE 2017 Australia Gold Coast Titans
181 Fiji Tui Kamikamica SR, PR 2017 Australia Melbourne Storm
182 New Zealand Brandon Smith HK 2017 Australia Melbourne Storm
184 New Zealand Jahrome Hughes FE, FB 2017 Australia North Queensland Cowboys
187 Papua New Guinea Justin Olam WG, CE 2018 Australia Melbourne Storm
188 Australia Harry Grant HK 2018 Australia Melbourne Storm
192 Australia Tom Eisenhuth SR 2019 Australia Penrith Panthers
193 Samoa Marion Seve WG 2019 Australia Melbourne Storm
194 Australia Ryan Papenhuyzen FB 2019 Australia Melbourne Storm
198 Australia Nicho Hynes FB, FE 2019 Australia Melbourne Storm
199 Australia Max King PR 2019 Australia Gold Coast Titans
200 Tonga Brenko Lee CE 2020 Australia Gold Coast Titans
201 Australia Chris Lewis SR 2020 Australia Melbourne Storm
203 Australia Darryn Schonig PR 2020 Australia Melbourne Storm
204 Australia Cooper Johns FE 2020 Australia Melbourne Storm
205 Fiji Isaac Lumelume WG 2020 Australia Melbourne Storm
207 New Zealand Aaron Pene PR 2020 Australia Melbourne Storm
208 Australia Aaron Booth HK 2020 Australia Melbourne Storm
209 Tonga George Jennings WG 2021 Australia Parramatta Eels
210 New Zealand Reimis Smith WG 2021 Australia Canterbury Bulldogs
211 Australia Tyson Smoothy HK 2021 Australia Melbourne Storm
212 Australia Trent Loiero SR 2021 Australia Melbourne Storm
213 Samoa Dean Ieremia WG 2021 Australia Melbourne Storm
214 Australia Jordan Grant PR 2021 Australia Melbourne Storm
215 Cook Islands Tepai Moeroa SR,LK 2021 Australia Parramatta Eels
216 Australia Daniel Atkinson HB 2021 Australia Melbourne Storm
Australia Jack Howarth SR Yet to debut Australia Melbourne Storm
New Zealand Judda Turahui LK Yet to debut Australia Melbourne Storm
Australia Jonah Pezet HB Yet to debut Australia Melbourne Storm
Australia Tyran Wishart FE, HK Yet to debut Australia Melbourne Storm
Samoa Tagiolupe Tivalu PR Yet to debut Australia Melbourne Storm
Samoa Sualauvi Fa'alogo FB Yet to debut Australia Melbourne Storm

Player movements

Source:[79][80]

Representative honours

This table lists all players who have played a representative match in 2021.

PlayerState of Origin 1[82][83]State of Origin 2[84][85]State of Origin 3[86][87][88]
Josh Addo-CarrNew South WalesNew South WalesNew South Wales
Dale Finucane––New South Wales
Harry GrantQueensland––
Felise KaufusiQueenslandQueenslandQueensland
Cameron MunsterQueenslandQueenslandQueensland
Christian WelchQueenslandQueenslandQueensland

Statistics

This table contains playing statistics for all Melbourne Storm players to have played in the 2021 NRL season.

NameAppearancesTriesGoalsField goalsPoints
Josh Addo-Carr22231094
Nelson Asofa-Solomona1740016
Daniel Atkinson10000
Aaron Booth50000
Jesse Bromwich241004
Kenneath Bromwich2130012
Tom Eisenhuth1740016
Dale Finucane172008
Harry Grant1550020
Jordan Grant30000
Jahrome Hughes2490036
Nicho Hynes247580144
Dean Ieremia1060024
Ryley Jacks10000
George Jennings18110044
Cooper Johns51004
Tui Kamikamica2230012
Felise Kaufusi2030012
Chris Lewis202008
Trent Loiero62008
Isaac Lumelume32008
Tepai Moeroa40000
Cameron Munster20716060
Justin Olam25120048
Ryan Papenhuyzen1514491/1157
Aaron Pene90000
Darryn Schonig10000
Marion Seve22008
Brandon Smith24110044
Reimis Smith25140056
Tyson Smoothy40306
Christian Welch212008
32 players used—1511271/1861

Scorers

Most points in a game: 26 points

  • Round 4 - Ryan Papenhuyzen (4 Tries, 5 Goals) vs Brisbane Broncos

Most tries in a game: 6 [lower-alpha 12]

  • Round 9 - Josh Addo-Carr vs South Sydney Rabbitohs

Winning games

Highest score in a winning game: 66 points

  • Round 15 vs Wests Tigers

Lowest score in a winning game: 20 points

  • Round 6 vs Sydney Roosters
  • Round 13 vs Gold Coast Titans
  • Round 19 vs North Queensland Cowboys

Greatest winning margin: 50 points

  • Round 9 vs South Sydney Rabbitohs
  • Round 15 vs Wests Tigers

Greatest number of games won consecutively: 19 [lower-alpha 13]

  • Round 4 - Round 23

Losing games

Highest score in a losing game: 12 points

  • Round 2 vs Parramatta Eels

Lowest score in a losing game: 6 points

  • Preliminary Final vs Penrith Panthers

Greatest losing margin: 12 points

  • Round 24 vs Parramatta Eels

Greatest number of games lost consecutively: 2

  • Round 2 - Round 3

Jerseys

In December 2020, Melbourne Storm announced a new 5 year sponsorship and apparel partnership agreement with British sportswear company, Castore[91] replacing the partnership with ISC. Castore will produce new supporter wear and a new jersey for season 2021, the design was announced on 14 January 2021.[92]

2021 Home colours
2021 Away colours

Home

The home jersey features a classic V shape on the chest and the return of yellow to the jersey for the first time since 2018. Among the special features Castore has incorporated in the new jersey is a lightning bolt design on the sleeve and the inclusion of a Big V logo on the inner collar as a continuation of the Our Home, Victoria acknowledgment which began during the 2020 season to honor Storm’s home state. The Victoria acknowledgment logo returned to the front of the jersey from Round 20 onwards.

Away

The away jersey, worn when the home jersey creates a clash with the opposition, is a similar design to the home jersey but in majority white; worn with navy blue shorts and either navy blue (Round 2) or white socks with navy blue cuffs (Rounds 3, 9, 14, 16, 19).

Special

Round 7 - Melbourne wore a unique jersey with sublimated Anzac Day details including a large red Remembrance poppy, silhouettes of soldiers, and the Anzac Appeal logo.[93]

Round 12 & 18 - An Indigenous Round jersey for the first time based on a white jersey template, designed by Melbourne AFLW player Krstel Petrevski. The jersey features the names of the 16 past and present Indigenous Storm players.[94]

Round 21 – A white heritage jersey based upon the clash design worn in the club's first ever trial game, and worn once during the 1998 NRL season.

Awards

Notes

  1. 1 2 Home games played at AAMI Park only
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Match originally scheduled for AAMI Park, Melbourne
  3. ↑ Match originally scheduled for SCG, Sydney
  4. ↑ Match originally scheduled for 31 July, but postponed due to a lockdown in South East Queensland
  5. ↑ Match originally scheduled for 4 Pines Park, Sydney
  6. ↑ Match originally scheduled for Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Sydney
  7. ↑ Previous First Grade RL club: This column denotes the previous RL club the player was signed to and played first grade RL for. If they are yet to debut then this is stipulated. If they were merely signed to the club but did not play then it is not counted
  8. 1 2 2020 season player loan deal: players returned to their original clubs at the end of 2020.[81]
  9. ↑ After being released back to the West Tigers following the completion of the loan period, Paul Momirovski was traded to the Penrith Panthers prior to the start of the 2021 season.
  10. ↑ Midseason signing on June 10
  11. ↑ Midseason signing announced on July 5
  12. ↑ New club record
  13. ↑ New club and equal league record

    References

    1. 1 2 "Bromwich, Finucane to lead Storm in post-Big Three era". 19 February 2021. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
    2. ↑ "2021 World Club Challenge postponed". Archived from the original on 26 January 2021. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
    3. ↑ "St Helens chairman Eamonn McManus provides update on 2022 World Club Challenge". 25 October 2021. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
    4. ↑ "Seven Storm players out of All Stars as COVID chaos hits multiple codes". smh.com.au. Nine Media. 12 February 2021. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
    5. ↑ "Storm move trial to Albury". melbournestorm.com.au. 18 February 2021. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
    6. ↑ "Smith retires: Cameron announces record-breaking career over". 10 March 2021. Retrieved 10 March 2021.
    7. ↑ "Papenhuyzen stars as Storm start post-Smith era in style". 11 March 2021. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
    8. ↑ "NRL Confirms 18th player rule for foul play". 6 April 2021. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
    9. ↑ "Fabulous Mr Foxx's six tries sink injury-ravaged Bunnies". 6 May 2021. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
    10. ↑ "Storm smash Dragons". melbournestorm.com.au. 16 May 2021. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
    11. ↑ "Storm moves round 13 NRL match". melbournestorm.com.au. 28 May 2021. Retrieved 31 May 2021.
    12. ↑ "Round 13 charges: NAS, Reimis on report". melbournestorm.com.au. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
    13. ↑ "Storm moves round 15 NRL match". melbournestorm.com.au. 8 June 2021. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
    14. ↑ "Moeroa to join Melbourne Storm". melbournestorm.com.au. 10 June 2021. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
    15. ↑ "Roosters relocate Storm clash to Newcastle; Panthers refund tickets". NRL.com. 25 June 2021. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
    16. ↑ "We're coming home". melbournestorm.com.au. 29 June 2021. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
    17. ↑ "LIVE: NRL on alert as QLD enters snap lockdown, Storm forced to flee to Melbourne". foxsports.com.au. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
    18. ↑ "Alarm bells ring for Robbo as ruthless Storm expose more than the Roosters' diabolical defence". foxsports.com.au. July 2021. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
    19. ↑ "Storm break all-time membership record". melbournestorm.com.au. 14 July 2021. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
    20. ↑ Walsh, Dan (15 July 2021). "Storm set to relocate for third time in 12 months". NRL.com. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
    21. ↑ Walsh, Dan (15 July 2021). "Storm to host Knights on Gold Coast". melbournestorm.com.au. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
    22. ↑ "Club update: July 15". melbournestorm.com.au. 15 July 2021. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
    23. ↑ "Unstoppable Storm break 86-year record as unsung star forces shock No.1 debate: 3 Big Hits". foxsports.com.au. 17 July 2021. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
    24. ↑ "Mackay, Rockhampton, Redcliffe hosting games in revised NRL draw". NRL.com. 22 July 2021. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
    25. ↑ "Dale Finucane signs for Sharks as Fitzgibbon lands huge scalp". 25 July 2021. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
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