Who are the Melbourne Storm?
The Melbourne Storm are a professional rugby league club based in Melbourne, Victoria, playing in the NRL. Founded in 1998, they became one of the league's most consistent clubs in a city dominated by AFL.
The Storm were created by News Limited during the Super League era to expand rugby league into Victoria. They won the premiership in only their second season, in 1999.
Under coach Craig Bellamy, who took charge in 2003, the club built a winning culture. It won premierships in 2012, 2017 and 2020. Titles from 2007 and 2009 were stripped in 2010 after the club was found to have breached the salary cap.
Big Three
Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater formed a famous trio known as the Big Three, playing together for more than a decade.
The Storm play home games at AAMI Park, a rectangular stadium near the MCG.
Their colours are purple, navy and gold.
The club has developed a strong junior pathway in Victoria and attracts players from Queensland, New Zealand and the Pacific islands, many of whom have gone on to represent their countries.
Did You Know?
The 2020 NRL Grand Final was won by the Storm against the Penrith Panthers.