Melbourne Storm has signed AFL player Shem Tatupu for the next two years, with the 20-year-old New Zealander making the switch from the Hawthorn Football Club.
Tatupu has a rugby league background, growing up in Auckland and playing the sport from a young age.
"He played a lot of league as a kid, and his dad was an original member of the Warriors and represented New Zealand, so he's grown up with rugby league," coach Craig Bellamy said.
Tatupu will most likely come into the club as an outside back, and gives Bellamy a much needed boost of depth in that position.
While Bellamy welcomed the new signing, he admitted that it came as news to him quite quickly.
"First I heard about it and then 10 minutes later I was sitting down with him having a chat," Bellamy said.
"We know he'll have some good training habits, but we'll have to see how he goes with positional play and some contact. We'd like him to play as soon as possible, but aren’t going to rush him."
The Storm moved Kenny Bromwich to the centres for the game against the Warriors last Sunday, but forward Tohu Harris was interchanging with Bromwich throughout the game.
Bellamy admits that his forward pack is stronger than his backs at this point in time, and believes that while injuries are still hampering his side, that position is still up for grabs.
"We're probably a little deeper in our forwards than our backs at the moment. We'd prefer to have a centre playing in the centres, but depending on who we play and who's available, we might have to switch it up every few weeks."
Harris is named at centre for the Monday night game against the Sharks, and Bellamy knows that it'll be another big test for his side.
"They've been a tough gritty side for a few years now, and you always know you're playing a tough game of footy when you come up against them, especially at Shark Park," Bellamy said.
"Their strength has always been in their forwards and it's still the case, but they've really built up their backs this year too… so you think with the way they've built their team, they're going to be right up there [this season]."
Melbourne will look to make it four wins from four to start the season, but it's not all running smoothly at AAMI Park, as their attack is still below par according to Bellamy.
"Slowly but surely it's coming together. I think we're creating enough opportunities, we're just not finding that last pass, or it's going to the wrong option. However I don’t think we're too far away from putting it all together."
