Manly to struggle without Brett Stewart after NRL ban

The NRL has banned Brett Stewart from playing for Manly Sea Eagles after pressure from fans and sponsors.

The NRL has said the banning is not related to charges against Stewart, but rather for discipline breaches and the player cannot play until Round 5 of the NRL.

Stewart and Manly are obviously devestated, with Coach Des Hasler in particular frustrated at the latest blocking of their star player

Allegations are firmly weighing the club and player down, with the latest police charges over sexual assault to be defended in a court of law in April.

NRL Ryan Hoffman

NRL Ryan Hoffman MRI scan results   Melbourne Storm backrower Ryan Hoffman had an MRI scan this morning on the ankle he re-injured during yesterday’s loss to the New Zealand Warriors.   It was Hoffman’s second game back from the original ankle injury he sustained against the Sydney Roosters in Round 23.   The scan revealed Hoffman has extended his high ankle injury slightly, however he hasn’t been ruled out of this Saturday night’s semi-final against the Brisbane Broncos.   “Ryan’s injury is still at the lower end of ankle strains, however he is experiencing slight pain and swelling which is to be expected,” said high performance unit manager Mary Toomey.   “We’ll do everything we can to get him right for Brisbane, however if he isn’t ready for this Saturday he’s likely to be fit for the preliminary final should we make it.”

____________________________________________________       Chris Couch   Media Manager    Melbourne Storm Rugby League Club

Storm players signed

NRL Storm secure EIGHT signatures for 2009

 

Melbourne Storm has this week secured the signatures of EIGHT players as it looks to build its playing stocks for the 2009 season and beyond.

 

The new signings compliment the acquisition of Canberra hooker Ryan Hinchcliffe earlier this year, and the re-signings of Dallas Johnson, Adam Blair, Cooper Cronk, Jeff Lima, Sika Manu, Anthony Quinn, Greg Inglis and Aiden Tolman.

 

As has been reported, backrower Matt Cross has joined from the Gold Coast Titans on a one-year deal, while four other new players will join the club.

 

Storm football operations manager Frank Ponissi believes Cross can have an immediate impact in 2009.

 

“The Storm has proven in the past that not only young players get improved within our system, but the culture here as has a history of rejuvenating players mid-career as well,” said Ponissi.

 

Backrower Louis Fanene has been elevated from the under-20’s squad, while Clifford Manua and promising front-rower Sinbad Kali have signed new one-year deals, rounding out a busy week at the club.

 

Apart from Cross, the four new faces at the Storm next year include Penrith centre William Isa, former Bulldogs five-eighth Arana Taumata, Souths centre Andre Itula, and James Maloney who captains Wentworthville in the New South Wales VB Cup.

 

While the salary cap is having its effect on the Storm squad, Ponissi believes the players signed this week will form the basis of a successful team long term.

 

“There’s no doubt the salary cap is biting us hard,” said Ponissi.

 

“Over the past couple of seasons we lost a lot of experienced players because of the salary cap, but that’s the reason why it’s there and we’re in the middle of it at the moment. Success is starting to take its toll.

 

“This year we’ve re-signed the core of our team for the next few years, but the reality is our depth is going to be tested.”

 

Melbourne Storm recruitment manager Darren Bell believes the new signings will inject an even greater level of enthusiasm when the squad reassembles for pre-season training in November.

 

“With these signings today, we’ve brought in the next generation of Storm players who we believe can bring us future success,” said Bell.

 

“We’re confident, while most of these names are low profile now, once they’re within the Storm environment and playing alongside the likes of Cam Smith, Greg Inglis, Billy Slater and the like, their development will be fast-tracked and be future Storm first-grade players.”

 

Player signings:

 

NAME	AGE	CONTRACT LENGTH	POSITION	FORMER CLUBS
William Isa	19	2 years	Centre	Panthers
Matt Cross	27	1 year	Backrow/Front-row	Titans / Panthers
Arana Taumata	19	1 year	Halfback / Five-eighth	Bulldogs
Andre Itula	20	1 year	Centre / Wing	Rabbitohs
James Maloney	22	2 years	Halfback	Wentworthville
Louis Fanene	20	2 years	Backrow	Storm under-20’s
Sinbad Kali	21	1 year	Front-row	Storm
Clifford Manua	27	1 year	Front-row	Broncos / Sharks / Storm

 

 

  ____________________________________________________

    

 Chris Couch

  Media Manager

 

 Melbourne Storm Rugby League Club

Greg Inglis Storm Signing

[10 SEPTEMBER, 2008]

 

 

NRL News Flash: Storms Greg Inglis to announce playing future today

 

Melbourne Storm will today announce the playing future of star five-eighth Greg Inglis at a press conference to be held at their administration facilities at MC Labour Park at 3.00pm.

 

Also in attendance will be head coach Craig Bellamy and CEO Brian Waldron.

 

WHAT: Greg Inglis playing future announcement

WHEN: Today (Wednesday, September 10^th) at 3.00pm

WHERE: MC Labour Park, Gate 3, Royal Parade, Carlton North (above the administration area)

WHO: Greg Inglis, Craig Bellamy and Brian Waldron

 

  ____________________________________________________

    

 Chris Couch

  Media Manager

 

 Melbourne Storm Rugby League Club

Storm Squads NRL Round 26

NRL Melbourne Storm team and squad lineups for Round 26 of the 2008 NRL Rugby League season; more details and player info below direct from the media / press of the Melbourne Storm club.

 

 

First-grade and under-20 teams

 

Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy has made one change to his squad for Sunday night’s Round 26 clash against the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

 

The game will be played at Olympic Park in Melbourne from 7.00pm.

 

Ryan Hoffman has returned from an ankle injury to start in the backrow, with Jeremy Smith taking his place on the interchange bench.

 

Aiden Tolman and Scott Anderson have been omitted from last week’s 18-man squad.

 

NRL squad for Sunday’s game:

 

Starting team:

1. Billy Slater

2. Steve Turner

3. Matt Geyer

4. Israel Folau

5. Anthony Quinn

6. Greg Inglis

7. Cooper Cronk

8. Jeff Lima

9. Cam Smith ©

10. Brett White

11. Michael Crocker

12. Ryan Hoffman

13. Dallas Johnson

 

Interchange:

14. Jeremy Smith, 15. Adam Blair, 16. Sika Manu, 17. Antonio Kaufusi.

 

Coach: Craig Bellamy.

 

Under-20’s squad for Sunday’s game:

 

Starting team:

 

1. Gareth Widdop

2. Josh Jerome

3. Sam Joe

4. Joseph Tomane

5. Michael Faamausili

6. Luke Kelly ©

7. Liam Foran

8. Matt Croker

9. Jay Aston

10. Louise Fanene

11. Kevin Proctor

12. Zeb Tawha

13. Vili Fainga’a

 

Interchange:

14. Mack Fawcett, 15. Pulou Vaituutuu, 16. Will Naitoro, 17. Theo Stuart.

 

Coach: Brad Arthur

Rugby League Players

Listings of Melbourne Storm Rugby League players for NRL Round 25 all grades:

[26 AUGUST, 2008]

 

 

NRL News and under-20’s teams

 

Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy has made one change to his squad for Saturday night’s Round 25 clash against the Newcastle Knights.

 

The game will be played at EnergyAustralia Stadium in Newcastle on Saturday from 5.30pm.

 

Aiden Tolman has been brought into the squad on the interchange bench, with Scott Anderson made 18^th man.

 

NRL squad for Saturday’s game:

 

Starting team:

1. Billy Slater

2. Steve Turner

3. Matt Geyer

4. Israel Folau

5. Anthony Quinn

6. Greg Inglis

7. Cooper Cronk

8. Jeff Lima

9. Cam Smith ©

10. Brett White

11. Michael Crocker

12. Jeremy Smith

13. Dallas Johnson

 

Interchange:

14. Aiden Tolman, 15. Adam Blair, 16. Sika Manu, 17. Antonio Kaufusi, 18. Scott Anderson.

 

Coach: Craig Bellamy.

 

Under-20’s squad for Saturday’s game:

 

Starting team:

 

1. Gareth Widdop

2. Michael Faamausili

3. Sam Joe

4. Joseph Tomane

5. Josh Jerome

6. Luke Kelly ©

7. Liam Foran

8. Louis Fanene

9. Jay Aston

10. Matt Croker

11. Aidan Guerra

12. Zeb Tawha

13. Will Naitoro

 

Interchange:

14. James Woolford, 15. Pulou Vaituutuu, 16. Vili Faingaa, 17. Mack Fawcett.

 

Coach: Brad Arthur

 

  ____________________________________________________

    

 Chris Couch

  Media Manager

Craig Bellamy NRL

Bellamy available for comment today

 

NRL Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy will be available for comment today prior to the commencement of their training session at Xavier College.

 

The training session will commence at 1.30pm at the Barkers Road campus, with Bellamy available at 1.15pm.

 

The Storm take on the Penrith Panthers this Monday night in Sydney before heading to the Central Coast for a four-day camp leading into the following Saturday night’s game against Newcastle in Newcastle.

 

Wins in both of those games would give the Storm a stranglehold on their third straight minor premiership, a feat never before achieved in the NRL.