Perth is over 2,700km from AAMI Park. This is just short of the furthest away “home” match in Melbourne Storm history.1
Melbourne return to Perth this week for their seventh ever match in Western Australia. Previously we’ve looked back at their first trip to the west coast back in 1999 when the Storm pantsed the Magpies over at Lathlain Oval, now the home of the West Coast Eagles training venue and where the club plays their AFL Women’s matches.
The other matches have been at this week’s venue — to use its unsponsored name of Perth Oval — but Melbourne’s last visit to WA in 2018 was to the then brand new Perth Stadium, aka Optus Stadium.
Sorry Bulldogs fans, we’re looking back at another loss against the Storm this week, because there’s no need for a spoiler alert on this match — it was round 1 after all.
As the reigning premiers, Melbourne had invited the Leeds Rhinos for a thrashing at AAMI Park in the World Club Challenge. This match almost a month later was the start of the club’s premiership defence. Beginning the season in Perth, this was the second leg of a doubleheader following the Warriors win over the Rabbitohs earlier that day. A 6:05pm kickoff local time made for late night league for the television audience back in the east.
Melbourne were missing Billy Slater who would return for his 300th match the following weekend, while the only relatively new faces added to the team were the halves pairing of Ryley Jacks and Brodie Croft following the departure of Cooper Cronk. Christian Welch did make a return from injury after sitting out much of the 2017 season.
Dean Pay was the new Bulldogs coach, the former Melbourne NRL Under-20s and assistant coach returning to Canterbury hoping to usher in a new era after supercoach Des Hasler was sacked following the previous season.2
Fox League had sent over a cast of thousands for a trip to play golf Perth, with the commentators gushing in praise about the city, the stadium and its fucking light show.
With the sun going down outside the stadium, Melbourne did not get off to the best start. On their second set in possession, Bulldogs fullback Moses Mbye went on a long run on a kick return, sparking an attack that saw Raymond Faitala-Mariner slide straight through the Storm defence. The edge forward running a line from a Kieran Foran pass on the left edge straight past Brodie Croft and Will Chambers to score an easy try.
With a 6–0 lead, the Bulldogs were off to a bright start, but a kick on the last tackle of their next set sailed well into touch, the oval field catching out the boys from Belmore. That gave Melbourne a chance to go on the attack and it only took a few plays for Nelson Asofa-Solomona to punch a massive hole in the defensive line to offload around the corner to Ryley Jacks who scored untouched.
Back on level terms at 6–all, the Bulldogs would restore their lead through a penalty goal from straight in front converted by Mbye, but an error from Matt Frawley on the restart proved costly for Canterbury. Melbourne were immediately on the attack on the Bulldogs line and again it didn’t take long for Melbourne to cross for their second try. After some broken play, the Storm almost scored from a Jacks kick which had almost bamboozled Mbye on the bounce with Curtis Scott ready to pounce. The next set Cameron Smith almost conjured a chance with Jacks down one edge, but instead it was a cross-field kick from Jacks towards Josh Addo-Carr that had the Bulldogs struggling. The Fox rose up above Marcelo Montoya who knocked the ball forward into the hands of Scott dive over out wide. It was great work from Jacks and Croft in the lead up that created hesitation in the defensive line, together with the guile of the skipper.
With a 12–8 lead, Melbourne needed to avoid those early season errors, but they let the Bulldogs back in with a handling error and with Mbye dancing around with the ball, Josh Jackson went close, only just being held up over the line in a strong tackle. However, Melbourne broke all too easily again up against the Bulldogs left flank. A cut-out pass from Frawley to Brett Morris had the winger outside a despairing Suliasi Vunivalu to bring the scores level yet again.
With 24 points in less than 20 minutes, it was a fast start on the firm turf in Perth. A miscued kick from Croft and a penalty against the skipper had the Storm on the back foot again, but strong defence from Will Chambers up against Josh Morris saved the Storm from further problems.
Ryan Hoffman marked his return to Melbourne by earning an escort penalty, but like the Storm at the other end, the Bulldogs were able to defend their line under heavy and extended attacking pressure. A piece of brilliance saw Melbourne restore their lead. Cameron Munster, taking a kick return and skipping straight through the line from deep in Melbourne’s half, linked up with Addo-Carr to score untouched. Just like that Melbourne had a six point lead, the speed and agility of Munster reminiscent of the man he was filling in for at fullback.3
The Storm might have been in front by only six points, but it felt like they had some control of the match. The handling errors were the major concern, especially in their own half of the field. With five minutes left before the break, only Melbourne’s strong defence was able to keep the Bulldogs at bay, especially when they looked to aim a lot of traffic at Croft and the forwards trying to keep his side of the field solid in defence.
Just before the break, a try to Kenny Bromwich put the Storm up 24–12 which almost looked like a match-winning lead. Again it was Munster sparking the Storm attack — a subtle step and dummy, accelerating through the line, bringing Kenny with him to score what looked to be a simple try, but the execution from Munster created something out of almost nothing.
The second half was a bit more of a grind than the first half. Well between the errors from both teams — each team would reach double figures in handling errors by fulltime, with eight apiece in the second half.
Eventually, it was the Bulldogs that broke through to cut their deficit to six points with 25 minutes remaining. It was an error from JAC on a messy Bulldogs last tackle option, that saw the ball ricochet backwards from Hoffman, get fumbled forwarded by JAC, for the Steeded to fall straight into the hands of Frawley to score.
On his Bulldogs debut, Foran was in everything good for the Bulldogs and there were moments where he threatened to pull his team even closer. With less than 20 minutes to go, it wasn’t the Bulldogs who were next to score — instead Addo-Carr turned defence into attack, taking an intercept and running 80m to score after the Bulldogs looked to have been building an attack. The Bunker awarding the try after Mbye dropped the ball into the lap of Addo-Carr after he jammed in from his wing.
With a 12–point lead at 30–18, Melbourne had 15 minutes to shut this match down and take their 16th straight round 1 victory. Some great scramble defence helped force errors, with Melbourne looking to resume the grind.
The margin allowed for a late 12 minute cameo appearance from former Bulldogs forward Sam Kasiano on debut for Melbourne. The slimmed-down Kasiano could have been a target for the Bulldogs in defence, but his late entry give him a chance to make a couple of runs and tackles — indeed he almost sent Jacks through with a crafty offload at one stage. But he did give away a penalty that gave the Dogs a chance for a late flourish. They almost got there too — Danny Fualalo almost planting the ball over the line, only to fumble as he put the ball on the foot of Munster in a trysaving tackle.
Down the other end, Suliasi Vunivalu powered through a Brett Morris tackle to score and seal Melbourne’s win — Smith and Munster combining in the lead up, the skipper a perfect 6/6 from the tee to take the score to 36–18, converting from the sideline.
No score in the final five minutes, Melbourne content to wind the clock down and move on to their next match in their premiership defence.
Canterbury – 18 (Faitala-Mariner 3', B Morris 19', Frawley 55' tries; Mbye 3/4 goals)
Melbourne – 36 (Addo-Carr 29', 62', Jacks 7', Scott 15', K Bromwich 38', Vunivalu 74' tries; C Smith 6/6 goals)
Dally M votes: Cameron Munster (3), Brodie Croft (2), Kieran Foran (1)
This will be Melbourne’s fourth match on 8 August, having won their previous three matches on this date. The Storm defeated Manly in 2008, Canterbury in 2020 and Souths in 2024.
Overall the Storm have played 125 matches in August, with a record of 84-1-37. The Storm only lost once in 2025 during the month of August.
In seasons where Melbourne has played in round 23, the club has won 21 of 27 matches.
The kickoff time of 1:00pm local time in Perth means this is Melbourne’s earliest start from they faced off against the Warriors at noon in 2007 at Olympic Park. It will be only the fourth Storm match to start before 2pm local time.
Manly have won their previous two matches at Perth Oval, lost their only visit to Optus Stadium, and won once from their three visits to the WACA for a record of 3-0-3.
There have been 25 NRL-era matches played in Perth, including four doubleheaders at Optus Stadium.
Next week’s bye is Melbourne’s first in August since 2005.
Birthdays (including the bye week):
11 August: Moses Leo ⚡️240
16 August: Matt Duffie ⚡️124
Blast from the past:
In a world of marquees and marketing, Billy Slater was the real thing (The Age/Roy Ward)
8 August 2018
In a universe of marquee signings and marketing, Billy Slater was the real thing.
As a fledgling expansion side in a sceptical city, Slater was the player newcomers could gravitate towards when they watched the Melbourne Storm.
He was small, fast, unpredictable and so often the game breaker or even the game winner. Whether you were a diehard Storm fan or new to rugby league, Slater gave you a touching point.
It’s so rare to find an athlete whose reach extends beyond their own sport but ask almost anyone in Melbourne and they will know Slater and know that he plays for the Storm.
In front of our eyes he changed the way the fullback position was played and did so despite only coming into the role once he joined the NRL club.
To Victorians, we didn’t know any better — didn’t all fullbacks attack the line like that?
But our naivety didn't take away the joy that could be found from watching Billy the Kid run at the line.
They would send multiple defenders at him, pummel him to the ground and do everything inside or outside the rules to keep him down but he always bounced back up and every now and then would break the line.
He did it for the Storm, for the Maroons and for the Kangaroos and there wasn’t a big rugby league stage that he didn’t make his own from Olympic Park to AAMI Park, from NRL grand finals to the 2013 World Cup final win at Old Trafford.
This season it has been clear Slater was smelling the roses. He still worked as hard as ever and still rates among the best in the game but from afar it seems he is taking in the moment a little more, savouring the NRL experience for the long retirement to come.
Storm chief executive Dave Donaghy said Slater was the definition of what it means to be a Melbourne Storm player while coach Craig Bellamy praised his consistency and, selfishly, admitted he wanted him to keep playing.
Whatever Slater did on the field, he was always approachable and friendly off the park and there would be few NRL fans who haven’t got a photo or autograph or unforgettable moment with Slater.
Every season the Storm’s youngest players have their “arrived” moment when it dawns on them they are playing alongside Slater and Cameron Smith. The duo have happily worn that adulation while still setting the standard for their teammates.
Slater has also relished recent seasons as his primary school-aged children Tyla Rose and Jake have become a more visible part of his career.
The kids of Slater and of captain Smith are regulars as ball kids during Storm games. Of all the achievements, Slater said he would never forget a tiny moment during last year’s NRL grand final win.
“I feel extremely lucky to have shared this part of my life with my children Tyla and Jake,” Slater said.
“To be in the middle of a grand final and have your son and your daughter run past you and give you a high five while delivering the kicking tee - that’s a special moment that I will remember forever.”
Rugby league will always be a sport which is attracted to the burly forwards and the powerful outside backs but Slater has become a figurehead for the little man and a reminder that willpower can still overcome horsepower.
Slater said he would have never had the success he has enjoyed without being taught to work hard by Bellamy and pushed to constantly improve by playing alongside Smith and star halfback Cooper Cronk.
Bellamy has long praised Slater for his work ethic and the ability to teach himself how to be an elite fullback.
But Bellamy believes Slater’s impact on the game, especially in Victoria, could last well beyond his playing career.
“It is a sad day in one way, but having said that, we should be celebrating what should be an unbelievable career,” Bellamy said.
“For 16 years he’s been in Melbourne. There wouldn’t be that many kids playing rugby league in Victoria unless Billy Slater was playing for the Storm — what he’s done through sheer hard work and time put in, he’s turned into a smart player.
“He didn’t just rely on god-given talents, he made himself better through hard work.”
See the full video of Billy Slater’s retirement announcement from August 2018:
Do you remember:
Newly appointed NSW coach Matt King was signed by the Melbourne Storm this week back in 2003, immediately joining the club from their then feeder club Norths Devils. King had moved to Brisbane during the 2003 season on the recommendation of Matt Orford. Devils coach Gary Grienke only had King for a short period4 and told the Courier-Mail:
He’ll be packing his bags after Sunday’s match. Unless I’m a poor judge he is going to play NRL, if not this year certainly next year.
A full off-season with the NRL squad will do him the world of good.
He has a lot of filling out to do.
King would make his NRL debut on 22 August 2003 against the Dragons, even after Craig Bellamy was quoted:
He’s a promising kid, but he won’t be playing on Friday night.5
Sualauvi Fa’alogo
Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown
Jack Howarth (50th NRL match)
Nick Meaney
Moses Leo
Cameron Munster ©
Hayden Watson
Stefano Utoikamanu
Tyran Wishart
Josh King
Cooper Clarke
Oryn Keeley
Trent Loiero
Trent Toelau
Shawn Blore
Davvy Moale
Angus Hinchey
Joe Chan
Jack Hetherington
Gabriel Satrick
Stanley Huen
Manaia Waitere
Referee: Kieran Irons (Bunker: Liam Kennedy)
Forecast: Showers 9–16°C
Melbourne Storm versus Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
— HBF Park, 3:00pm (AEST) Saturday 8 August 2026
Bah gawd, that’s Cameron Munster’s music‽
Risking a early return from a knee injury after sitting on a plane for hours… makes perfect sense. Especially with Melbourne out of the finals race. Maybe he needs some frequent flyer points or something.
According to the team list published on Tuesday, Munster will be partnering last week’s debutant Hayden Watson,6 with Tyran Wishart wearing the number nine jersey after playing at hooker last week with the number six on his back. Trent Toelau, on the back of a number of try assists from kicks shifts back to the bench. Sure. I mean why not just go full experimental mode… wait Gabriel Satrick is in the reserves list in the week that the club is wearing a jersey inspired by his journey to the NRL. Interesting.
Elsewhere, Alec MacDonald is in the concussion protocols so one of Shawn Blore, Davvy Moale, or Angus Hinchey could be looking at some minutes through the middle of the field. I know that I would prefer that to be Hinchey given the impending departures of the other two. Heck, send Joe Chan out there to be a bit of a wrecking ball if it means that forwards get the ball from dummy half and the playmakers while not static and flat-footed.
Jack Howarth is back for his 50th NRL match, the 23-year-old has been the subject of much speculation in recent weeks which feels very confusing. I’m assuming that if Munster’s back he will be captain, unless Josh King decides he wants to toss the coin and head to the press conference again.
The Sea Eagles had their third bye for the season last week, having not won since these teams played at Fortress Shithole back in June. The wheels have fallen off at Manly, Fozball being exposed by Parramatta, North Queensland, Gold Coast, and Cronulla. Wow. That’s not great form. Don’t look at Melbourne’s form… ah dammit.
Those losses see Manly also out of the top eight, two competition points out of the finals positions, with only one or two losses away from elimination. Like last week, Melbourne has the chance to play spoiler. Both teams will be looking to fix their defence — Manly did concede almost 90 points across their last two matches, while we know the issues Craig Bellamy has with the Storm in 2026.
After making his debut as the man with the whistle last week in the Dolphins win at Wollongong, Kieran Irons will be the man charged with keeping these two rivals apart. Good luck with that.7
Predictions for this week — Jason Saab will probably score a try, Moses Leo might do likewise for Melbourne. He didn’t get a try on debut last week, but Hayden Watson might go close this week. I would like Melbourne to defend better and win, but I don’t have any confidence in that. Maybe, if there isn’t too much rain this match might see 60+ points scored, so who knows who might score last and take the points.
This weekend is also the first week of a fortnight of NRL Indigenous Round celebrations. Melbourne choosing to not be at home at AAMI Park instead jetting off is certainly a choice.
Continuing on this series from 2024, 2025 and previous seasons:-
From the website which explains the story behind the design:
The 2026 jersey tells the story of Storm hooker Gabriel Satrick, a proud Dhuppi Warra-Ngarrabullgan and Torres Strait Islander descendant raised on Gunggandji land in Yarrabah, known as Paradise by the Sea.
Designed and painted by local artist Edna Ambrym, with the support of Gabriel’s mother, Celestine, the artwork celebrates the coming together of the two cultures that shape Gabriel’s identity.
It’s certainly an interesting look, with some different imagery in use compared to previous seasons.
Jai Bowden returns to the NSW Cup squad this week after making his NRL debut in a brief cameo. He’ll join his teammates out at Seabrook Reserve on Sunday afternoon (kickoff 3pm) to face off against Manly. Now at one stage this match was listed by the NSWRL to be played at Ironbark Fields at Tarneit, but instead they’re back at their regular digs. Oh well, it would have been nice to sit in the stands out in the western suburbs. With Manly running dead last in this competition with just one win from 18 matches, maybe the Storm could potentially make this one their sixth win of the season.
The Storm versus Manly Jersey Flegg Cup game might be played this weekend… who knows really. The NSWRL website has this listed in their TBC time of Midnight — I’m going to assume it will be on Sunday before the NSW Cup. Manly sit in 13th position on the ladder, just one point behind the Storm in 12th thanks to the point they earned against the Bulldogs last weekend.
As the crow flies. The first time the Storm sold out Victorian fans by moving a home game away from Melbourne to McLean Park in Napier New Zealand during the 2015 season — well that was closer to 2,800km than this match which is closer to 2,700km. There isn’t much between the rough measurements.
The Hasler era at the Bulldogs is such a weird vibe.
This was Munster’s 66th match for Melbourne. It was his last wearing the number one jersey until 2023, although he did fill in at fullback a couple of times before that.
King started with the Devils in June 2003 after moving from Cronulla’s Jersey Flegg Cup squad. From what I can find he played a couple of matches for the Devils, was picked in the QRL City team to play Country in July, then “starred” on the wing for Queensland Residents against NSW, although he didn’t score in that match.
Melbourne had been using David Kidwell and Ryan Hoffman in the centres following the retirement of Aaron Moule and injuries to Junior Langi, Dustin Cooper and Jake Webster.
Jahrome Hughes being smarter than Munster by not risking his hamstring injury by flying out to the other side of the continent.
He’s been a NSW Cup level referee since 2017. I know refereeing is a hard job, but more rotation at the NRL level can’t be a bad thing. But then we live in a world where the same voices are heard on multiple NRL matches each weekend because Fox League can’t be arsed bringing through their talent (or sending them out to most games) and giving them opportunities, instead making us overdose of Dan Ginnane.
Comments
Nothing yet. Say the first thing.
Sign in to join the conversation.