Official thread and signing news

[Insomniac]

...Matt Tripp is in the press making himself look like an idiot over this Lomax thing.

What makes you say that?

Think Tripp has articulated himself really well in the media. Rightfully points out Parra hypocrisy with the way they approached Ryles without permission, and then why are we getting crucified when half a dozen clubs approached lomax as well as ourselves. We are the big bad guys because we are the club he actually wants to go to??! Give me a break.

Agreed.

It's also not surprising that more people/media are neglecting to point out that it sounds like the Eels couldn't afford to take Lomax back anyway, and they most likely couldn't afford to take any of Coates, Stefano or Howarth either, so clearly they haven't been serious about entertaining offers or wanting to negotiate through this at all. They are just being vindictive and don't want Lomax playing in the NRL until 2029, full stop. Never mind that they were able to use his freed up money elsewhere, so they have already been compensated.

But no, it'll get more clicks if the Storm are the bad guys.

If Lomax is such a problem and it's solely his fault for walking out on other teams, why wouldn't all of the haters be looking forward to him coming to the Storm to stuff us around as well? Would it be because they know that this would never happen here, which might just mean that maybe those other teams are at least partially to blame as well?

[Storm98]

Despite what the exact details might be optics don't look that great for us the way it's playing out with Lomax

Club feels a little in no man's land atm as we really I believe missed our golden chance last year and now we a trying to recruit for the future with an ageing spine and a supercoach who is probably on the way out in the next 2 years. I don't blame bai and tino for not coming down as theres alot more risk and uncertainty now +living in Melbourne is definitely not going to be many peoples cup of tea.

Looking forward to seeing a few new faces get a run the next couple of years

[riders of the storm]

Despite what the exact details might be optics don't look that great for us the way it's playing out with Lomax

Club feels a little in no man's land atm as we really I believe missed our golden chance last year and now we a trying to recruit for the future with an ageing spine and a supercoach who is probably on the way out in the next 2 years. I don't blame bai and tino for not coming down as theres alot more risk and uncertainty now +living in Melbourne is definitely not going to be many peoples cup of tea.

Looking forward to seeing a few new faces get a run the next couple of years

I completely agree with this. I don’t mind that the club’s enquired about his services - this is a business and they’re allowed to inquire with the Eels and Lomax to sort out a deal.

But the Tripp comments were weird and very defensive.

[TC]

Despite what the exact details might be optics don't look that great for us the way it's playing out with Lomax

It was a no win situation. The NSW media hate Storm and were always going to put the worst possible spin (and blame) on us.
I think Matt handled it fine - at least Parramatta's lies are now in the public arena.

[Storm Spirit]

Despite what the exact details might be optics don't look that great for us the way it's playing out with Lomax

It was a no win situation. The NSW media hate Storm and were always going to put the worst possible spin (and blame) on us.
I think Matt handled it fine - at least Parramatta's lies are now in the public arena.

Tripp would have had his legal and PR/comms ducks all lined up in a row before going wackitty whack whack on the eels. You’d have to think it was a planned strategic response to make those statements in order to apply pressure on the Parramatta RLFC based on the legal submissions that will be presented. Tripp is a very astute businessman, nothing he says happens by chance.

[sallymay]

Surprising news before the weekend

Craig Bellamy re signs for 2 more years

[yanjarra]

Surprising news before the weekend

Craig Bellamy re signs for 2 more years

Wow , 2 years! Great news on the back of some not so good. Almost like he has unfinished business. Not sure who else caught munsters quip about smith coming back to coach storm after doing his apprenticeship at bris. I wander if theres some truth to that and a plan in place. Smith- slater coach/assistant would be a rather nice combo when craig is ready. Would be nice to get the last laugh on bris with that one and another period of dominance over them with smith coming south with some intel down the track.

Well, with trials starting tomorrow, im about to force myself through watching the gf which is by far the longest ive taken to watch a storm game ever, but it must be done.

[Storm Spirit]

Surprising news before the weekend

Craig Bellamy re signs for 2 more years

The timing late on a Friday afternoon before trials have even started, is intriguing. Maybe they want to take out the Storm coaching issue when talking with potential 2027 recruits.

[yanjarra]

Surprising news before the weekend

Craig Bellamy re signs for 2 more years

The timing late on a Friday afternoon before trials have even started, is intriguing. Maybe they want to take out the Storm coaching issue when talking with potential 2027 recruits.

Wander if some uncertainty there cost them bai/tino...and the board gave craig a bit of a hurry up for once. I hope they have some vision for what comes post 28 also that they can give as some reassurance to future recruitment targets

[Scooter]

Was also surprised for the extra two years for Craig, making it three years. Recently he has only been doing one year extensions.

You would think end of 2028 would be it for Craig.

[yanjarra]

Was also surprised for the extra two years for Craig, making it three years. Recently he has only been doing one year extensions.

You would think end of 2028 would be it for Craig.

Yep. I rekon they've had the chat and put a plan in place for succession with the 2/3. Almost certain this will be it for the great man. A premiership in 28 as a fairy tale seems possible if we spend the cap space we have wisely. I think as lucas made the early call on this is really going to be a year of experimenting and finding out if a number of fringe guys have it...or don't, and getting a look at our youth. I'm sure like all of us they'd still love a title, and will give themselves the best chance, but that transition thought will also be there, and if the guys dont shape up, we might see a real axe taken to this side in 27 and bellamy having 2 years to get them all to gel and integrate the successor into decisions.

[Storm98]

Bellamy for 3 more years makes things a bit more clearer. Hard to know why he's chosen to stay for that long, feels like it's either things are becoming too difficult with him being on a year to year basis or maybe he's got a bit of excitement about younger players coming through etc.

[Lucas]

The year by year proposition with him was a disaster. It made it hard for the club to look to the future, we hardly played any young guys at all the past 3-4 years. Hopefully this new deal can give everyone a bit of time and space and look to start to build again.

[sallymay]

So apparently they announced it on Friday night as part of the storm season launch

They announced it to the team partners and corporates club ect before posting it online

So that makes a whole heap more sense why it was announced randomly on a Friday arvo

[Storm Spirit]

So apparently they announced it on Friday night as part of the storm season launch

They announced it to the team partners and corporates club ect before posting it online

So that makes a whole heap more sense why it was announced randomly on a Friday arvo

Sallymay…is that Hugo Peel in the latest Insta post with Tui & Harry promoting the round 1 matches for pathways teams ?

If so that’s an incredible sign (to me anyway) that the Club has a massive wrap on him as a future FG player. If it’s Hugo, he’s almost as tall as Tui…WOW a future FB with big physical presence.