Ins
Jake Howarth (2022), George Jennings (New Zealand Warriors, 2022), Jonah Pezet (2023), Reimis Smith (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, 2022), Tagiolupe Tivalu (2022)
Outs
Sandor Earl (retired), Tino Fa'asuamaleaui (Gold Coast Titans), Ricky Leutele (Huddersfield Giants), Paul Momirovski (Penrith Panthers), Albert Vete (Hull Kingston Rovers), Suliasi Vunivalu (rugby union) Cameron Smith? (Who knows)
What could possibly be left to say about this incredible Melbourne club? Another season where everyone stood by hoping that it would be the year the Storm fell, yet it was another season where the purple machine lifted the trophy.
Melbourne beat the red hot Panthers on Grand Final day with a first half onslaught that completely blew the minor premiers off the park. Ryan Papenhuyzen's early second half try effectively ended the contest before a series of ridiculous events lead to a much closer finish than the game deserved.
Speaking of young Papenhuyzen, he was absolutely incredible all season long. The Storm's ability to find these fringe first graders from other clubs and turn them into rep quality stars is unmatched.
Cameron Smith was every bit as influential in his "final" season as he has been across his unparalleled career. Cameron Munster continues to build a legacy (on and off the field) that sees him as one of the game's elite.
The Storm have lost some SERIOUS talent. No one seems to know what Cameron Smith is doing, however as it stands he won't be returning to the Melbourne's set up in 2021. Any team who loses the greatest number nine of the modern era is of course going to struggle, however Harry Grant is a timely replacement.
Tino Fa'asuamaleaui is a massive out after an incredible 2020 season. Although there are plenty of young forwards in the system, Tino's exit will be felt.
Vunivalu takes his ridiculous try scoring record to the other code. In Reimis Smith though the Storm have found a red hot replacement. I'm really excited to see what the former Bulldogs flyer can produce under Craig Bellamy.
Every year the Storm seem to lose a host of stars only for new players to stand up and match those who have exited. In Smith, Tino and Vunivalu they have lost three genuine superstars.
Could this FINALLY be the year the Storm fall?
See Zero Tackle's own Dan Nichols over at Rugby League Outlaws.
Cam Smith: The story that just won't go away. Will Cameron Smith return to the Storm for yet another season? Will he do the unthinkable and join the Titans, or even the Broncos? Will he retire? The answer to these questions could realistically change the NRL season.
If he returns to the Storm then they remain amongst the title favourites (if they're not already). If he joins the Titans than they go from top eight hopefuls to genuine top four contenders. If he retires, then we say goodbye to arguably the best player of all time without the pageantry many expected.
Harry Grant is a wonderful replacement but no one can truly replace the greatest number nine our game has ever seen.
Is this the year?: Every single year we wonder, is this the year? Is this the year where the Melbourne Storm finally fall and miss the finals?
We've been predicting the fall since Cooper Cronk left. Then Slater. Now Smith. I've fallen into the trap previously in doubting Craig Bellamy's men but I won't be making that mistake again. If it does happen, it won't be this year.
Ryan Papenhuyzen, Cameron Munster and Harry Grant are all genuine superstars while Josh Addo-Carr, Felise Kaufusi, Christian Welch, the Bromwich brothers and Dale Finucane are all rep regulars. Jahrome Hughes is coming off a career best year while Bellamy turned Brenko Lee into a rep star in one season.
The next star: Last year it was Lee who went from fringe reserve grader with a bog average side to genuine star and rep player under Craig Bellamy. I can't stress enough how good he is at signing untapped talent and turning them into stars.
Who will it be this year? Reimis Smith is a speedster with plenty of untapped potential. George Jennings has threatened to breakout on a few occasions. Isaac Lumelume has the size, pace and talent to be yet another Bellamy find. I'm really excited to see what Smith becomes in this Storm set up. My guess is we'll be talking about him very soon.
4th
I honestly feel as though the Titans finishing top four or just making the eight depends entirely on Cam Smith's decision. I feel as though the Storm will make the four regardless.
Don't get me wrong, any side in the world would miss Cameron Smith, but Harry Grant is set to become the game's next superstar. He and Brandon Smith are about as good a replacement as you'll ever find.
Cameron Munster is an elite level player and, should Smith retire or move on, takes full control of this team. He has an all star cast and the best modern day coach to help him with the transition.
Josh Addo-Carr and Reimis Smith form the fastest wing combination across the competition. The thought of those two in space is equal parts exciting and frightening.
The forward pack is as powerful as they come. The halves are pure class with both entering their peak. Their fullback is the next star and their number nine is an Origin match winner. Yikes!