2002 Melbourne Storm season

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

  • 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

RoundPlayerMilestone
Round 1Ian SibbitStorm debut
Round 1Shane WalkerStorm debut
Round 1Mitchell SargentNRL debut
Round 1William LeyshonStorm debut
Round 2Robbie Kearns200th game
Round 2Michael RussoNRL debut
Round 3Danny Williams150th game
Round 3Marty TurnerNRL debut
Round 4Matt Geyer100th game
Round 5Cameron SmithNRL debut
Round 7Kirk ReynoldsonNRL debut
Round 8Stephen Kearney200th game
Round 11Keith MasonStorm debut
Round 13Aaron Moule100th game
Round 25Matt Rua100th game

Jerseys

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

Pre season

Date Rd Opponent Venue Result Mel. Opp. Tries Goals Field goals Ref
16 FebruaryTrial Wests TigersMarley Brown Oval, GladstoneWon3018A Duncan (2), K Mason, P Whatuira, S Bell, S WalkerM Turner (1), M Geyer (2)[5]
2 MarchTrial St George Illawarra DragonsEric Weissel Oval, Wagga WaggaLost1440S Bell (2), P RobinsonM Turner (1)[9]

Regular season

Date Rd Opponent Venue Result Mel. Opp. Tries Goals Field goals Ref
16 March1 Canberra RaidersOlympic Park, MelbourneWon1612M Bai, M SargentM Orford 4/4[10]
23 March2 Cronulla-Sutherland SharksToyota Park, SydneyLost2430S Bell (2), R Kearns, M OrfordM Orford 4/4[11]
30 March3 North Queensland CowboysOlympic Park, MelbourneWon3810S Bell (2), M Bai, M Geyer, A Moule, H Perenara, M Rua, D WilliamsM Turner 3/8[12]
6 April4 Parramatta EelsParramatta Stadium, SydneyWon3230S Kearney (2), M Bai, S Hill, A Moule, R SwainM Turner 4/6[13]
13 April5 Canterbury-Bankstown BulldogsOlympic Park, MelbourneLost622I SibbitR Swain 1/1[14]
20 April6 St George Illawarra DragonsOlympic Park, MelbourneWon124J Langi, M RussoR Swain 2/2, C Smith 0/1[15]
27 April7 New Zealand WarriorsEricsson Stadium, AucklandLost1020S Hill, A MouleR Swain 1/2[16]
4 May8 Newcastle KnightsOlympic Park, MelbourneLost2836M Orford (2), S Kearney, A Moule, K ReynoldsonR Swain 4/5[17]
11 May9 Sydney RoostersAussie Stadium, SydneyLost634J LangiR Swain 1/1[18]
18 May10 Parramatta EelsOlympic Park, MelbourneLost2022W Leyshon (2), A Moule, K ReynoldsonR Swain 2/4, M Orford 0/2[19]
25 May11 New Zealand WarriorsOlympic Park, MelbourneLost1228M Orford, R RossM Orford 2/2[20]
1 June12Bye
8 June13 Newcastle KnightsEnergyAustralia Stadium, NewcastleLost1637A Moule, R RossM Orford 4/4[21]
15 June14 St George Illawarra DragonsWIN Stadium, WollongongDraw3030M Orford (2), W Leyshon, R Swain, D WilliamsM Orford 5/6[22]
22 June15 South Sydney RabbitohsOlympic Park, MelbourneWon446A Moule (2), R Kearns, J Langi, H Perenara, R Ross, M RussoM Orford 8/9[23]
29 June16 Northern EaglesBrookvale Oval, SydneyLost2236J Langi, P Robinson, R Ross, R SwainM Orford 3/4[24]
6 July17 Wests TigersOlympic Park, MelbourneWon2620W Leyshon (2), S Bell, M Geyer, R KearnsM Orford 3/5[25]
13 July18 Sydney RoostersOlympic Park, MelbourneWon4810M Bai (2), A Moule (2), S Kearney, W Leyshon, M Orford, P Robinson, S TadulalaM Orford 5/8, W Leyshon 1/1[26]
20 July19Bye
27 July20 Penrith PanthersPenrith Park, SydneyLost1636A Moule, R Ross, S TadulalaM Orford 2/3[27]
3 August21 Brisbane BroncosOlympic Park, MelbourneLost2048M Bai, A Moule, R Ross, R SwainM Orford 2/4[28]
10 August22 North Queensland CowboysDairy Farmers Stadium, TownsvilleWon4030S Bell (2), S Kearney, A Moule, M Orford, I Sibbit, R SwainM Orford 6/8[29]
17 August23 Penrith PanthersOlympic Park, MelbourneWon4210A Moule (3), S Bell (2), S Hill, F MoalaM Orford 6/6, R Swain 1/1[30]
24 August24 Wests TigersLeichhardt Oval, SydneyLost1626M Bai, S Bell, S HillM Orford 2/3[31]
30 August25 Canterbury-Bankstown BulldogsSydney Showground, SydneyLost1624M Geyer, I SibbitM Orford 4/4[32]
7 September26 Canberra RaidersBruce Stadium, CanberraLost1625M Bai (2), A MouleM Orford 2/3[33]

Source:[34]

Ladder

Pos Team Pld W D L B PF PA PD Pts
1 New Zealand Warriors 2417072688454+23438
2 Newcastle Knights 2417072724498+22638
3 Brisbane Broncos 2416172672425+24737
4 Sydney Roosters (P) 2415182621405+21635
5 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 2415092653597+5634
6 Parramatta Eels 24102122531440+9126
7 St George Illawarra Dragons 2493122632546+8625
8 Canberra Raiders 24101132471641-17025
9 Northern Eagles 24100142503740-23724
10 Melbourne Storm 2491142556586-3023
11 North Queensland Cowboys 2480162496803-30720
12 Penrith Panthers 2470172546654-10818
13 Wests Tigers 2470172498642-14418
14 South Sydney Rabbitohs 2450192385817-43214
15 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 2420132707435+27281

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

2002 Coaching Staff

  • 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

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

Cap [lower-alpha 1] Nat. Player name Position First Storm Game Previous First Grade RL club [lower-alpha 2]
1 Australia Robbie Ross FB 1998 Australia Hunter Mariners
3 Australia Aaron Moule WG, CE 1998 Australia South Queensland Crushers
5 Papua New Guinea Marcus Bai WG 1998 Australia Gold Coast Chargers
6 Australia Scott Hill FE 1998 Australia Hunter Mariners
8 Australia Rodney Howe PR 1998 Australia Perth Reds
9 Australia Danny Williams LK, SR, HK 1998 Australia North Sydney Bears
10 Australia Robbie Kearns PR 1998 Australia Perth Reds
15 New Zealand Richard Swain HK 1998 Australia Hunter Mariners
18 Australia Matt Geyer WG 1998 Australia Perth Reds
26 New Zealand Matt Rua PR, SR 1998 Australia Melbourne Storm
28 New Zealand Stephen Kearney SR 1999 Australia New Zealand Warriors
34 Tonga Fifita Moala WG 2000 Australia Melbourne Storm
35 Australia Brook Martin WG 2000 Australia Melbourne Storm
37 New Zealand Glen Turner SR 2000 Australia Melbourne Storm
38 Australia Peter Robinson SR 2000 Australia Melbourne Storm
42 New Zealand Junior Langi CE 2001 Australia St George Illawarra Dragons
43 Australia Matt Orford HB 2001 Australia Northern Eagles
44 Australia Steven Bell CE 2001 Australia Melbourne Storm
46 New Zealand Henry Perenara LK 2001 New Zealand Auckland Warriors
48 Fiji Semi Tadulala WG 2001 Australia Melbourne Storm
49 England Ian Sibbit SR 2002 England Warrington Wolves
50 Australia Shane Walker PR 2002 Australia Wests Tigers
51 Australia Mitchell Sargent PR 2002 Australia Melbourne Storm
52 Australia William Leyshon LK 2002 Australia Northern Eagles
53 Australia Michael Russo SR 2002 Australia Melbourne Storm
54 New Zealand Marty Turner HB 2002 Australia Melbourne Storm
55 Australia Cameron Smith HK 2002 Australia Melbourne Storm
56 Australia Kirk Reynoldson SR 2002 Australia Melbourne Storm
57 England Keith Mason PR 2002 England Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
Australia Alf Duncan WG Yet to Debut Australia Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
Australia Sam Fillery SR Yet to Debut Australia Melbourne Storm
Australia Dallas Johnson LK Yet to Debut Australia Melbourne Storm
Australia Nick Walker PR Yet to Debut Australia Melbourne Storm

Player movements

Representative honours

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

PlayerCity vs Country OriginState of Origin 1State of Origin 2State of Origin 3Midseason Test[lower-alpha 4]October Tests[lower-alpha 5]
Matt GeyerCity
Scott HillCountryNew South WalesNew South WalesAustraliaAustralia
Stephen KearneyNew Zealand
Robbie KearnsCity (c)
Keith MasonWales
Richard SwainNew Zealand

Statistics

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

NameAppearancesTriesGoalsField goalsPoints
Marcus Bai2490036
Steven Bell15100040
Matt Geyer1930012
Scott Hill2140016
Rodney Howe140000
Stephen Kearney2350020
Robbie Kearns1330012
Junior Langi2240016
William Leyshon2261026
Keith Mason10000
Fifita Moala61004
Aaron Moule21170068
Matt Orford198620156
Henry Perenara122008
Kirk Reynoldson172008
Peter Robinson172008
Robbie Ross1160024
Matt Rua171004
Michael Russo92008
Mitchell Sargent121004
Ian Sibbit2030012
Cameron Smith20000
Richard Swain24512044
Semi Tadulala32008
Marty Turner207014
Shane Walker180000
Danny Williams232008
27 players used98820556

Scorers

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

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

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 [lower-alpha 6]

  • Round 7 - Round 13

Feeder Team

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 221408774441+36328

Awards and honours

Melbourne Storm Awards Night

Notes

  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

  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%5B%5D
  4. "Melbourne Storm History". melbournestorm.com.au. Melbourne Storm. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  5. Vernon, Ben (17 February 2002). "Lucky escape for Storm". Herald-Sun. Melbourne, Victoria: Nationwide News Pty Ltd. p. 128.
  6. 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. 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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