Melbourne Storm: Round 1 Team Comparison

STAFF WRITERS | January 27, 2017 - 9:42am

Round 1 was the only match star fullback Billy Slater played for the Storm in 2016 but even without one the of the "Big 3", the Melbourne Storm were last year's minor premiers and grand finalists.

Each year the pundits conclude this will be the season the Storm finally succumb to age and the increased pace of the game but it seems each year, the Storm defy the odds and 2017 will no doubt be the same.

2016 Round 1 Team

The bulk of the Melbourne Storm side has remained intact for 2017 and will actually be improved if and when champion fullback Billy Slater makes his return.

For most clubs, losing players of the level of Blake Green, Kevin Proctor and Marika Koroibete would be very hard to replace but the Storm has suitable replacements for each.

The signing of Josh Addo-Carr, along with Fijian sensation Suliasi Vunivalu, means the Storm will score lots of points out on the edges and makes up for the loss of Koroibete.

Blake Green was outstanding for the Storm at five-eighth and his loss might be felt the hardest. But with Billy Slater mot likely returning to the fullback role, that means Cameron Munster will take over in the No.6 jersey and should find the transition easy alongside Cooper Cronk.