With the Panthers losing a host of strike power from their grand final winning team over the summer, the bookies have installed Melbourne as title favourites this campaign. And with maestro Craig Bellamy pulling the strings for possibly the final time and managing to keep most of his roster intact, the omens are good for the Storm. Melbourne got rid of some dead wood, have some great kids coming through their system and have added Tigers colossus Stefano Utoikamanu to their forward rotation. The line-up at the Storm is so strong that there may well not be a spot for budding superstar Sua Fa'alogo in the 17-man line-up for round one. Bellamy boasts the best spine in the NRL with pocket rocket Ryan Papenhuyzen at fullback, dynamic duo Cam Munster and Jahrome Hughes in the halves and the game's top hooker, Harry Grant, wearing the No.9 jumper. He has built a team around the four stars and everyone plays their part to perfection. The wing pairing of Will Warbrick and Xavier Coates score tries for fun, while in the centres Nick Meaney is highly underrated and Jack Howarth was one of the big improvers in the league in 2024. The forwards are basically honest toilers with the exception of Eli Katoa, who with a sprinkling of Bellamy's magic dust, became one of the most dangerous wide runners in the league last season and should only get better. Grant is a freak out of dummy-half and rival coaches know what he is going to do each week - but seem powerless to stop him, such is his class.
2025 gains - Stefano Utoikamanu (Wests Tigers), Moses Leo (NZ rugby).
2025 losses - Reimis Smith (Catalans Dragons), Young Tonumaipea (retired), Aaron Pene (Leigh Leopards), Chris Lewis (retired), Tepai Moeroa (released).
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