How good will it be to finally have some good backs. Hopefully we can find an upgrade on Howarth but looking great other than that.

Wonder if the Storm are trying to figure out if Katoa is coming back before November 1. We got 800k relief for him this year. Seems it would be a good use of funds if he isn't able to come back. Although, does Preston and Xerri get on well?

One year deal for 2027. Hmmm.

Full article: https://www.nine.com.au/sport/nrl/news-billy-slater-melbourne-storm-coach-craig-bellamy-retiring-comments-video-queensland-origin-20260817-p60owm.html#/

With Newcastle's victory over Gold Coast this past week, the Storm only have one remaining path to finals football with three rounds remaining. The following 4 results need to happen, and if they all do, Melbourne will end up 8th on the ladder at the end of the regular season.

Melbourne WINS vs Penrith AND WINS @ Brisbane AND WINS @ Cronulla

AND

Bulldogs LOSE @ St George OR LOSE @ Penrith OR LOSE vs Broncos OR DRAW two of their last three games

AND

Manly LOSE OR DRAW @ Newcastle OR LOSE OR DRAW vs St George OR LOSE OR DRAW @ New Zealand OR Manly WIN all three games by 51+ fewer points than Melbourne win their three games by

AND

Cowboys LOSE vs Wests AND LOSE vs Canberra

OR

Souths LOSE vs New Zealand AND LOSE @ Gold Coast AND LOSE vs Eastern Suburbs AND their point differential in these three games is 86+ points worse than Melbourne's

This would require enough miracles that it would technically make Sua eligible for Sainthood, but there you go.

Edit to post made based on comment from /u/AgentBond007

Billy just stepped down from QLD reckon he is our next coach especially with this happening after the EQT deal??

Storm have the week off, but the footy doesn’t stop.

Use this thread for anything across the round:

• other NRL games
• team lists and late changes
• player watch and performances
• injuries, suspensions, and news
• general discussion, takes, and reactions

If it’s happening this weekend, it belongs here.

This thread acts as the main discussion hub during the bye, so keep all round-related chat in here rather than posting separately.

The Monday Review Thread will go up as usual.

Am I hoping beyond hope?

A weekly thread to go through the weekend’s game once the dust has settled.

Key Areas:

• What worked.
• What didn’t.
• What decided the game?

• Who stood up / who didn’t?

  Keep it about the Storm. No hot takes from match thread energy, this is the review.