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2002 Melbourne Storm season

Summary

The 2002 Melbourne Storm season was the 5th in the club's history. They competed in the NRL's 2002 Telstra Premiership and finished the regular season in 10th place making it their lowest finishing position until 2010, when it was sentenced to finish that season last due to gross salary cap breaches.[1] As of 2022, it is also the most recent time that the Storm missed the finals due to not winning enough games.[2] It was Mark Murray's final season as coach of the club.[3]

2002 Melbourne Storm season
NRL Rank10th
2002 recordWins: 9; draws: 1; losses: 14
Points scoredFor: 556; against: 586
Team information
Executive DirectorJohn Ribot
CoachMark Murray
Captain
StadiumOlympic Park
Avg. attendance9,088
High attendance12,044 (Round 1)
Top scorers
TriesAaron Moule (17)
GoalsMatt Orford (62)
PointsMatt Orford (156)
← 2001 List of seasons 2003 →

In 2002 the Storm returned to Olympic Park. The club secured no big name player signings for the season as it kept under the NRL imposed salary cap.

In an effort to reignite its floundering success the return to its smaller home ground was seen by players and supporters as a positive move. The club though continued to deliver hot and cold performances as the season progressed, leaving them on the fringe of the Top 8 (from only 15 competitors).

The club suffered internal turmoil during the season, particularly when the captaincy was removed from Robbie Kearns and given to Rodney Howe. The Storm was also troubled over the renegotiation of club stalwart Richard Swain's contract - he reluctantly signed for Brisbane for 2003 when the Storm (citing salary cap issues) failed to make him an offer.

The Storm's season again came down to needing to win its final round game to reach the semi-finals. In a repeat of 2001, Melbourne appeared to lack enthusiasm when it mattered and again lost a crucial match.[4]

Season Summary edit

  • Pre season – Melbourne officials request to play most of their games at 3pm on Saturday afternoons, with matches broadcast by Nine Melbourne.
  • 16 February – Melbourne win a scrappy preseason trial match against Wests Tigers 30–18 at Gladstone, with triallist Alf Duncan scoring two tries.[5]
  • 13 March – Melbourne is fined $90,000 for a breach of the 2001 NRL salary cap, with club officials vowing to fight the penalty.[6]
  • Round 1 – Storm defeat Canberra Raiders 16-12 in their return to Olympic Park, a disallowed try for obstruction causing consternation for Raiders' coach Matt Elliott.
  • Round 3 – Without regular halfback Matt Orford, Melbourne thrash North Queensland Cowboys 38-10 with Scott Hill dangerous in attack to ease the pressure on debutant Marty Turner.
  • Round 4 – Melbourne stage a dramatic comeback to end Parramatta Eels 14-game undefeated run at Parramatta Stadium. Storm fight back from a 30-10 half time deficit to win 32-30. The winning try was scored almost on full time as Danny Williams offloaded to Marcus Bai for the winger to score in the corner.
  • 9 April – Michael Russo and Marty Turner are involved in a serious car accident near Geelong, returning from a surfing trip. Turner suffers fractured ribs, a ruptured spleen, severe concussion, and cuts and bruises. Russo escapes with an injured elbow and is able to return to play in Round 6.[7][8]
  • Round 6 – Michael Russo scores a late try to seal a 12-4 win over St George Illawarra Dragons only days after the car accident involving him and Marty Turner. Melbourne were forced to overcome more injuries with third-string halfback Cameron Smith injured during the game.[6]
  • Round 7 – New Zealand Warriors claim the Michael Moore Trophy for the first time, beating Melbourne 20-10.
  • 9 May – The NRL board confirms Melbourne's salary cap fine of $90,000 will stand.[6]
  • Round 10 – Trailing 20-22 with seconds remaining, referee Paul Simpkins awards a penalty against Parramatta Eels for stripping the ball from Willie Leyshon, but Matt Orford missed a late penalty goal, costing Melbourne a point.
  • 24 May – Storm CEO Chris Johns admits spreading rumours that the club will relocate to Brisbane in order to extract further funding from the Victorian Government.[6]
  • Round 11 – Melbourne slump to a fifth straight defeat, the worst consecutive streak in club history.
  • 31 May – Head coach Mark Murray makes the decision to dump captain Robbie Kearns, replacing him with Rodney Howe. Senior Melbourne players condemn the decision with Scott Hill suggesting that "senior players should have been consulted." Kearns later calls out the club for disloyalty at the decision to strip him of the captaincy.[6]
  • Round 13 – With new captain Rodney Howe carried off with severe concussion in the first 10 minutes, Melbourne fall to their sixth straight defeat. Coach Mark Murray at odds with referee Mark Oaten's 15-6 penalty count and a number of crucial decisions during the game.[6]
  • Round 14 – Prop forward Shane Walker is sent off for a high swinging arm tackle that knocks out St George Illawarra prop forward Jason Ryles. Melbourne gain their first competition point since April, holding out for a 30-all draw.
  • 16 June – Reports emerge that Melbourne are having difficulty in retaining hooker Richard Swain.[6]
  • Round 15 – Melbourne win their first game in two months, thrashing South Sydney Rabbitohs 44-6 in the first match between the teams since 1999.
  • 30 June – Negotiations break down between Melbourne and Richard Swain, with the hooker now free to entertain offers from rival clubs.
  • 23 July – Melbourne announce that Richard Swain will not be at the club in 2003 after withdrawing any contract offer. Storm announce the signing of Brisbane Broncos rookie Robert Tanielu for 2003, and re-signings of Junior Langi, Kirk Reynoldson, and Cameron Smith.
  • 24 July – St Gregory's College schoolboys football star Ryan Hoffman signs with the Storm for two years.
  • 25 July – Canberra Raiders confirm they have signed Storm forward Matt Rua for 2003.
  • Round 20 – Due to a jersey clash, Melbourne wear their 1999-2000 gold clash jersey against Penrith Panthers, but are issued with a $3,000 breach notice as the jerseys were missing the Telstra Premiership logos.
  • 1 August – Brisbane Broncos sign Richard Swain to a one-year contract for 2003.
  • Round 26 – Needing a win to sneak into the NRL finals, Melbourne fall short against Canberra Raiders for the second consecutive year in the final round of the season.
  • 11 September – Mark Murray is sacked as Melbourne coach after missing the finals for the second consecutive season.
  • 12 September – Five-eighth Scott Hill claims former coach Mark Murray treated players like school children.[6]
  • 18 September – Brisbane Broncos performance director Craig Bellamy is appointed new head coach of Melbourne, signing a two-year contract.
  • 4 October – Chris Johns resigns as Melbourne Storm CEO to return to Queensland, leaving the club after more than five years in Melbourne.

Milestone games edit

Round Player Milestone
Round 1 Ian Sibbit Storm debut
Round 1 Shane Walker Storm debut
Round 1 Mitchell Sargent NRL debut
Round 1 William Leyshon Storm debut
Round 2 Robbie Kearns 200th game
Round 2 Michael Russo NRL debut
Round 3 Danny Williams 150th game
Round 3 Marty Turner NRL debut
Round 4 Matt Geyer 100th game
Round 5 Cameron Smith NRL debut
Round 7 Kirk Reynoldson NRL debut
Round 8 Stephen Kearney 200th game
Round 11 Keith Mason Storm debut
Round 13 Aaron Moule 100th game
Round 25 Matt Rua 100th game

Jerseys edit

 
2002 home jersey

Melbourne's jerseys were again manufactured by Fila and unchanged from the designs worn in 2001. The player names on the backs of jerseys were dropped in favour of front of jersey advertiser Adecco. The quirk of the season came in both round 7 against the New Zealand Warriors and round 20 against Penrith Panthers as due to a jersey clashes, Melbourne wore the 1999-2000 gold jersey. However, the club was subsequently issued with a $3,000 breach notice after the match against Penrith, as the jerseys were missing the Telstra Premiership logos.

Fixtures edit

Pre season edit

Date Rd Opponent Venue Result Mel. Opp. Tries Goals Field goals Ref
16 February Trial   Wests Tigers Marley Brown Oval, Gladstone Won 30 18 A Duncan (2), K Mason, P Whatuira, S Bell, S Walker M Turner (1), M Geyer (2) [5]
2 March Trial   St George Illawarra Dragons Eric Weissel Oval, Wagga Wagga Lost 14 40 S Bell (2), P Robinson M Turner (1) [9]

Regular season edit

Date Rd Opponent Venue Result Mel. Opp. Tries Goals Field goals Ref
16 March 1   Canberra Raiders Olympic Park, Melbourne Won 16 12 M Bai, M Sargent M Orford 4/4 [10]
23 March 2   Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Toyota Park, Sydney Lost 24 30 S Bell (2), R Kearns, M Orford M Orford 4/4 [11]
30 March 3   North Queensland Cowboys Olympic Park, Melbourne Won 38 10 S Bell (2), M Bai, M Geyer, A Moule, H Perenara, M Rua, D Williams M Turner 3/8 [12]
6 April 4   Parramatta Eels Parramatta Stadium, Sydney Won 32 30 S Kearney (2), M Bai, S Hill, A Moule, R Swain M Turner 4/6 [13]
13 April 5   Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Olympic Park, Melbourne Lost 6 22 I Sibbit R Swain 1/1 [14]
20 April 6   St George Illawarra Dragons Olympic Park, Melbourne Won 12 4 J Langi, M Russo R Swain 2/2, C Smith 0/1 [15]
27 April 7   New Zealand Warriors Ericsson Stadium, Auckland Lost 10 20 S Hill, A Moule R Swain 1/2 [16]
4 May 8   Newcastle Knights Olympic Park, Melbourne Lost 28 36 M Orford (2), S Kearney, A Moule, K Reynoldson R Swain 4/5 [17]
11 May 9   Sydney Roosters Aussie Stadium, Sydney Lost 6 34 J Langi R Swain 1/1 [18]
18 May 10   Parramatta Eels Olympic Park, Melbourne Lost 20 22 W Leyshon (2), A Moule, K Reynoldson R Swain 2/4, M Orford 0/2 [19]
25 May 11   New Zealand Warriors Olympic Park, Melbourne Lost 12 28 M Orford, R Ross M Orford 2/2 [20]
1 June 12 Bye
8 June 13   Newcastle Knights EnergyAustralia Stadium, Newcastle Lost 16 37 A Moule, R Ross M Orford 4/4 [21]
15 June 14   St George Illawarra Dragons WIN Stadium, Wollongong Draw 30 30 M Orford (2), W Leyshon, R Swain, D Williams M Orford 5/6 [22]
22 June 15   South Sydney Rabbitohs Olympic Park, Melbourne Won 44 6 A Moule (2), R Kearns, J Langi, H Perenara, R Ross, M Russo M Orford 8/9 [23]
29 June 16   Northern Eagles Brookvale Oval, Sydney Lost 22 36 J Langi, P Robinson, R Ross, R Swain M Orford 3/4 [24]
6 July 17   Wests Tigers Olympic Park, Melbourne Won 26 20 W Leyshon (2), S Bell, M Geyer, R Kearns M Orford 3/5 [25]
13 July 18   Sydney Roosters Olympic Park, Melbourne Won 48 10 M Bai (2), A Moule (2), S Kearney, W Leyshon, M Orford, P Robinson, S Tadulala M Orford 5/8, W Leyshon 1/1 [26]
20 July 19 Bye
27 July 20   Penrith Panthers Penrith Park, Sydney Lost 16 36 A Moule, R Ross, S Tadulala M Orford 2/3 [27]
3 August 21   Brisbane Broncos Olympic Park, Melbourne Lost 20 48 M Bai, A Moule, R Ross, R Swain M Orford 2/4 [28]
10 August 22   North Queensland Cowboys Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville Won 40 30 S Bell (2), S Kearney, A Moule, M Orford, I Sibbit, R Swain M Orford 6/8 [29]
17 August 23   Penrith Panthers Olympic Park, Melbourne Won 42 10 A Moule (3), S Bell (2), S Hill, F Moala M Orford 6/6, R Swain 1/1 [30]
24 August 24   Wests Tigers Leichhardt Oval, Sydney Lost 16 26 M Bai, S Bell, S Hill M Orford 2/3 [31]
30 August 25   Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Sydney Showground, Sydney Lost 16 24 M Geyer, I Sibbit M Orford 4/4 [32]
7 September 26   Canberra Raiders Bruce Stadium, Canberra Lost 16 25 M Bai (2), A Moule M Orford 2/3 [33]

Source:[34]

Ladder edit

2002 NRL season
  • v
  • t
  • e
Pos Team Pld W D L B PF PA PD Pts
1   New Zealand Warriors 24 17 0 7 2 688 454 +234 38
2   Newcastle Knights 24 17 0 7 2 724 498 +226 38
3   Brisbane Broncos 24 16 1 7 2 672 425 +247 37
4   Sydney Roosters (P) 24 15 1 8 2 621 405 +216 35
5   Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 24 15 0 9 2 653 597 +56 34
6   Parramatta Eels 24 10 2 12 2 531 440 +91 26
7   St George Illawarra Dragons 24 9 3 12 2 632 546 +86 25
8   Canberra Raiders 24 10 1 13 2 471 641 -170 25
9   Northern Eagles 24 10 0 14 2 503 740 -237 24
10   Melbourne Storm 24 9 1 14 2 556 586 -30 23
11   North Queensland Cowboys 24 8 0 16 2 496 803 -307 20
12   Penrith Panthers 24 7 0 17 2 546 654 -108 18
13   Wests Tigers 24 7 0 17 2 498 642 -144 18
14   South Sydney Rabbitohs 24 5 0 19 2 385 817 -432 14
15   Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 24 20 1 3 2 707 435 +272 81

1 The Bulldogs were deducted 37 premiership points due to gross salary cap breaches.

2002 Coaching Staff edit

  • Head coach: Mark Murray
  • Assistant coach: Anthony Griffin
  • Football Manager: Greg Brentnall
  • Physical Preparation Coach: Dave Darbyshire
  • Physiotherapist: Greg Gibson
  • Sports Trainer: Troy Thompson
  • Recruitment manager: Peter O'Sullivan[35]

2002 squad edit

List current as of 11 August 2021[36][37]

Cap [a] Nat. Player name Position First Storm Game Previous First Grade RL club [b]
1   Robbie Ross FB 1998   Hunter Mariners
3   Aaron Moule WG, CE 1998   South Queensland Crushers
5   Marcus Bai WG 1998   Gold Coast Chargers
6   Scott Hill FE 1998   Hunter Mariners
8   Rodney Howe PR 1998   Perth Reds
9   Danny Williams LK, SR, HK 1998   North Sydney Bears
10   Robbie Kearns PR 1998   Perth Reds
15   Richard Swain HK 1998   Hunter Mariners
18   Matt Geyer WG 1998   Perth Reds
26   Matt Rua PR, SR 1998   Melbourne Storm
28   Stephen Kearney SR 1999   New Zealand Warriors
34   Fifita Moala WG 2000   Melbourne Storm
35   Brook Martin WG 2000   Melbourne Storm
37   Glen Turner SR 2000   Melbourne Storm
38   Peter Robinson SR 2000   Melbourne Storm
42   Junior Langi CE 2001   St George Illawarra Dragons
43   Matt Orford HB 2001   Northern Eagles
44   Steven Bell CE 2001   Melbourne Storm
46   Henry Perenara LK 2001   Auckland Warriors
48   Semi Tadulala WG 2001   Melbourne Storm
49   Ian Sibbit SR 2002   Warrington Wolves
50   Shane Walker PR 2002   Wests Tigers
51   Mitchell Sargent PR 2002   Melbourne Storm
52   William Leyshon LK 2002   Northern Eagles
53   Michael Russo SR 2002   Melbourne Storm
54   Marty Turner HB 2002   Melbourne Storm
55   Cameron Smith HK 2002   Melbourne Storm
56   Kirk Reynoldson SR 2002   Melbourne Storm
57   Keith Mason PR 2002   Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
–   Alf Duncan WG Yet to Debut   Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
–   Sam Fillery SR Yet to Debut   Melbourne Storm
–   Dallas Johnson LK Yet to Debut   Melbourne Storm
–   Nick Walker PR Yet to Debut   Melbourne Storm

Player movements edit

Representative honours edit

This table lists all players who have played a representative match in 2002.

Player City vs Country Origin State of Origin 1 State of Origin 2 State of Origin 3 Midseason Test[d] October Tests[e]
Matt Geyer City – – – – –
Scott Hill Country – New South Wales New South Wales Australia Australia
Stephen Kearney – – – – – New Zealand
Robbie Kearns City (c) – – – – –
Keith Mason – – – – – Wales
Richard Swain – – – – – New Zealand

Statistics edit

This table contains playing statistics for all Melbourne Storm players to have played in the 2002 NRL season.

Name Appearances Tries Goals Field goals Points
Marcus Bai 24 9 0 0 36
Steven Bell 15 10 0 0 40
Matt Geyer 19 3 0 0 12
Scott Hill 21 4 0 0 16
Rodney Howe 14 0 0 0 0
Stephen Kearney 23 5 0 0 20
Robbie Kearns 13 3 0 0 12
Junior Langi 22 4 0 0 16
William Leyshon 22 6 1 0 26
Keith Mason 1 0 0 0 0
Fifita Moala 6 1 0 0 4
Aaron Moule 21 17 0 0 68
Matt Orford 19 8 62 0 156
Henry Perenara 12 2 0 0 8
Kirk Reynoldson 17 2 0 0 8
Peter Robinson 17 2 0 0 8
Robbie Ross 11 6 0 0 24
Matt Rua 17 1 0 0 4
Michael Russo 9 2 0 0 8
Mitchell Sargent 12 1 0 0 4
Ian Sibbit 20 3 0 0 12
Cameron Smith 2 0 0 0 0
Richard Swain 24 5 12 0 44
Semi Tadulala 3 2 0 0 8
Marty Turner 2 0 7 0 14
Shane Walker 18 0 0 0 0
Danny Williams 23 2 0 0 8
27 players used — 98 82 0 556

Scorers edit

Most points in a game: 18 points

  • Round 14 - Matt Orford (2 tries, 5 goals) vs St George Illawarra Dragons

Most tries in a game: 3

  • Round 20 - Aaron Moule vs Penrith Panthers

Winning games edit

Highest score in a winning game: 48 points

  • Round 18 vs Sydney Roosters

Lowest score in a winning game: 12 points

  • Round 6 vs St George Illawarra Dragons

Greatest winning margin: 38 points

  • Round 15 vs South Sydney Rabbitohs
  • Round 18 vs Sydney Roosters

Greatest number of games won consecutively: 2

  • Round 3 - Round 4
  • Round 17 - Round 18
  • Round 22 - Round 23

Losing games edit

Highest score in a losing game: 28 points

  • Round 8 vs Newcastle Knights

Lowest score in a losing game: 6 points

  • Round 9 vs Sydney Roosters

Greatest losing margin: 28 points

  • Round 9 vs Sydney Roosters
  • Round 21 vs Brisbane Broncos

Greatest number of games lost consecutively: 6 [f]

  • Round 7 - Round 13

Feeder Team edit

Melbourne Storm reserve players again travelled to Brisbane each week to play with Queensland Cup team Norths Devils. Terry Matterson took over the coaching role with Mark Murray and Anthony Griffin making the move to Melbourne in 2001.[35] Making the finals for the fifth straight season, Norths Devils finished fifth, and won through to the preliminary final of the 2002 Queensland Cup. Melbourne Storm rookie Cameron Smith won the Devils Player of the Year Award.

2002 Queensland Cup
Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts
5   Norths Devils 22 14 0 8 774 441 +363 28

Awards and honours edit

Melbourne Storm Awards Night edit

Notes edit

  1. ^ Players are listed with the cap number as they appear on the Melbourne Storm honour board. Additional squad members do not have a cap number.
  2. ^ This column denotes the previous RL club the player was signed to and played first grade RL for. If they are yet to debut then this is stipulated. If they were merely signed to the club but did not play then it is not counted.
  3. ^ Last played NRL with Manly Warringah Sea Eagles in 1999
  4. ^ Test between Australia vs Great Britain
  5. ^ Test between Australia vs New Zealand, forming part of the 2002 New Zealand rugby league tour
  6. ^ New club record

References edit

  1. ^ Stuart Honeysett and Brent Read (23 April 2010) Shocking end to the Melbourne Storm era The Australian
  2. ^ "How the Swans and Storm have thrived in hostile territory". The Roar. 26 September 2016.
  3. ^ http://stats.rleague.com/rl/teams/melbourne/melbourne2002_sc.html[permanent dead link]
  4. ^ "Melbourne Storm History". melbournestorm.com.au. Melbourne Storm. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  5. ^ a b Vernon, Ben (17 February 2002). "Lucky escape for Storm". Herald-Sun. Melbourne, Victoria: Nationwide News Pty Ltd. p. 128.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h Middleton, David (2003). Rugby League 2003. Sydney: Harper Sports. ISBN 0732277531.
  7. ^ "Storm pair hurt as truck hits car". theage.com.au. Nine Media. 10 April 2002. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  8. ^ "Car crash kid turns try hero". smh.com.au. Nine Media. 21 April 2002. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  9. ^ Vernon, Ben (3 March 2002). "DRAGONS 40 - STORM 14 - 2002 COUNTRY FESTIVAL". The Daily Telegraph. Sydney, New South Wales: Nationwide News Pty Ltd. p. 52.
  10. ^ "NRL 2002 - Round 1". Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  11. ^ "NRL 2002 - Round 2". Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  12. ^ "NRL 2002 - Round 3". Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  13. ^ "NRL 2002 - Round 4". Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  14. ^ "NRL 2002 - Round 5". Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  15. ^ "NRL 2002 - Round 6". Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  16. ^ "NRL 2002 - Round 7". Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  17. ^ "NRL 2002 - Round 8". Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  18. ^ "NRL 2002 - Round 9". Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  19. ^ "NRL 2002 - Round 10". Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  20. ^ "NRL 2002 - Round 11". Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  21. ^ "NRL 2002 - Round 13". Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  22. ^ "NRL 2002 - Round 14". Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  23. ^ "NRL 2002 - Round 15". Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  24. ^ "NRL 2002 - Round 16". Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  25. ^ "NRL 2002 - Round 17". Retrieved 10 August 2021.
  26. ^ "NRL 2002 - Round 18". Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  27. ^ "NRL 2002 - Round 20". Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  28. ^ "NRL 2002 - Round 21". Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  29. ^ "NRL 2002 - Round 22". Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  30. ^ "NRL 2002 - Round 23". Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  31. ^ "NRL 2002 - Round 24". Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  32. ^ "NRL 2002 - Round 25". Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  33. ^ "NRL 2002 - Round 26". Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  34. ^ "Rugby League Tables - Melbourne". Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  35. ^ a b 2002 Melbourne Storm Info Guide. Melbourne Storm.
  36. ^ "Storm Team List (2002)". melbournestorm.com.au. Archived from the original on 1 June 2002. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  37. ^ "STORM PRE-SEASON TRAINING SQUAD SET". melbournestorm.com.au. Archived from the original on 23 November 2001. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  38. ^ "2002 Melbourne Point Scorers". afltables.com. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  39. ^ "Melbourne Storm - NRL 2002". rugbyleagueproject.org. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  40. ^ "NRL Honour Board". melbournestorm.com.au. Melbourne Storm. Archived from the original on 28 September 2013. Retrieved 10 February 2014.

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