Melbourne Storm confirm player departures

The Melbourne Storm have confirmed a number of players who will not be with the club next season.

The club has posted a tribute to the departing players on their website, acknowledging their achievements and contributions.

It’s been well publicised that 2017 would Cooper Cronk’s final season with the Storm, with the halfback moving to Sydney to be with his fiancee and Fox Sports presenter Tara Rushton.

Currently, it’s unknown if Cronk will continue to play on in 2018 but there have been strong rumours linking him to the Sydney Roosters and South Sydney Rabbitohs.

2018 also sees a number of players leaving Melbourne for opportunities at new clubs. The departures of Slade Griffin (Newcastle Knights), Tohu Harris (New Zealand Warriors), Jordan McLean (North Queensland Cowboys) and Robbie Rochow (Wests Tigers) have all been announced earlier in the season.

The club has also confirmed that Jeremy Hawkins, Mark Nicholls, Jake Turpin and Charlie Galo will not be returning in 2018.

Nate Myles was not mentioned in the tribute for the departing players but is currently off contract suggesting he might be re-signed by the club in the near future.

Melbourne Storm 2018 Player Movements

2018 Gains Tom Eisenhuth (2020), Ryan Hoffman (New Zealand Warriors, 2018), Cooper Johns (2019), Sam Kasiano (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, 2021), Patrick Kaufusi (North Queensland Cowboys, 2019), Kayleb Milne (2020), Ryan Papenhuyzen (Wests Tigers, 2020), Junior Ratuvu (2018), Marion Seve (Brisbane Broncos, 2020), Albert Vete (New Zealand Warriors, 2019), Billy Walters (2019)

2018 Losses Jesse Arthars (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Dean Britt (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Cooper Cronk (Sydney Roosters), Charlie Galo (released), Slade Griffin (Newcastle Knights), Tohu Harris (New Zealand Warriors), Jeremy Hawkins (released), Vincent Leuluai (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Jordan McLean (North Queensland Cowboys), Nate Myles (retired), Mark Nicholls (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Robbie Rochow (Wests Tigers), Jake Turpin (Brisbane Broncos)

Re-Signed Josh Addo-Carr (2021), Nelson Asofa-Solomona (2023), Cheyse Blair (2022), Jesse Bromwich (2022), Kenneath Bromwich (2020), Will Chambers (2020), Brodie Croft (2021), Dale Finucane (2021), Jahrome Hughes (2021), Ryley Jacks (2019), Felise Kaufusi (2022), Billy Slater (2018), Brandon Smith (2022), Joe Stimson (2019), Suliasi Vunivalu (2020), Christian Welch (2020)

Off Contract 2019 Patrick Kaufusi, Joe Stimson, Albert Vete, Billy Walters