Joe Chan has put his hand up for a spot in the Storm squad to host Penrith in Round 1 after a strong performance in Saturday’s Pre-season Challenge defeat of Newcastle in Fiji.
Chan, who played 26 Super League matches for Catalans after growing up in France where his father Alex played and coached, made his NRL debut in the final round of last year’s Telstra Premiership against the Broncos.
In doing so the 21-year-old became the first son of a former Storm player to play NRL for the club and he now hopes to become a regular member of the Melbourne forward pack.
“I always want more. It's a dream come true to pull on that Melbourne Storm jersey," Chan said after the Storm's 28-10 defeat of the Knights at Lautoka's Churchill Park.
Storm v Knights – Pre-season 2024
“It makes me more hungry, more proud, every time I get to put it on, so hopefully I’ll just keep the training hard and see what happens there.
“I'm not too sure [if I’ll get picked] but if the coach selects me, then I'd do my best to go hard as per usual."
Chan ran 113 metres in eight carries of the ball, including a 40-metre break, and has the support of star halfback Jahrome Hughes in his push for selection against the Panthers on March 8 at AAMI Park.
“Channy was good, he was really good," Hughes said. "He ran the ball well, and he was really aggressive. I think that's something we need.
“I thought all the boys put in a good effort. Obviously, it was trying conditions out there. But I think Craig might have some headaches”.
The St Clair Comets junior, whose father Alex played two seasons at the Storm in 2004 and 2005 before moving to France, said he was still learning of the likes of Tui Kamikamica, who captained Fiji at the Pacific Championships.
“I've got to improve a little bit more - or a lot more," Chan said. “It was a good first hit out but I'm not really looking too far ahead – more just week by week.
“I'm more pleased about the boys, it was a big effort from the boys. It was very humid today and they helped us out big time, especially all the middles. I’ve got to give a big shout out to Tristan Powell and big 'Bula' [Kamikamica].
“It's his homeland and he thrived in everything. He was my man of the match.”
Kamikamica, who captained the Bati in last year’s Pacific Championship, made the most of his time back home in Fiji by putting on a show for the fans with 171 run metres from 13 runs.
Five-eighth Jonah Pezet also had another impressive game and Hughes put his support behind the rookie for Round 1 if Cameron Munster is out, although the star playmaker is confident he will be fit for the season opener.
“I thought Jonah played really well, not having Munster there, and he filled his boots pretty good,” Hughes said.
