The curious case of Jack Howarth: Opportunity looms for Storm's man in waiting

Five years into his time with the Storm and with just 81 minutes of NRL to his name, Jack Howarth knows it's easy for people to "believe what you can’t see" but has shrugged off any suggestions of an attitude problem holding back his development.

A long-time star in the making, Melbourne fans were given just their second glimpse of the teenage prodigy after he was injected into Craig Bellamy’s forward pack against the Broncos – five years after starring in the 2019 Australian Schoolboys alongside the likes of Reece Walsh, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Sam Walker.

With several of his former teammates already playing well over 50 NRL games, many reports have speculated reasons for Howarth’s limited opportunity in first grade, but the aspiring back-rower is confident 2024 will put the rumours to rest.

“I don’t know where that came from. I haven’t ever really been late or got in trouble for things for me to have attitude about,” Howarth told NRL.com.

“I never saw the comments, I just got told about it but it is what it is. I haven't played much so it's easy for people to believe whatever they hear.

“Maybe at school I had attitude at times but not in the footy world, I’m way too scared of Belza [Craig Bellamy] to try and upset him.

“Hopefully I get more opportunity to get out there on the field to show the player that I am.”

Standing at 193cm tall and now an imposing 105kg, the Māori All Star is blessed with a natural frame for a footballer but said developing his rugby league IQ has been the focus over the past few seasons.

“I've had to learn a lot more technical stuff about the game. Obviously throughout my juniors I was pretty naturally athletic and mobile,” Howarth said.

“But nailing down my role as a back-rower and understanding all of the little techniques is almost more important than being mobile and athletic.

“I was a bit raw through my juniors, I was always good at running and stuff but I think over the last year and a bit, I’ve really come to understand that it's not just about that - it's really important to understand the purpose of things.

“There hasn't been a direct conversation why I haven’t had had many opportunities yet but I think it's more towards my understanding of the game.

“I think they just want to make sure that when I do step into that role, I'm fully ready and won't be swapping in and out.”

Melbourne’s NRL Development coach and former premiership-winner Todd Lowrie knows the club has a unique athlete in Howarth and assures his development is still on track.

“Jack's got a lot of physical attributes that you can't coach. He's big, strong and fast and moves really well, he's a pretty good athlete,” Lowrie told NRL.com.

“So that's something I guess that when they signed him they would have been looking for. And he’s got a lot of those attributes that you can't coach.

“He was playing in the centres when I first got here at the start of last year and he sort of transitioned into the back row, so there’s a little bit of learning that goes on with defending in the different positions.

“He's come a long way in his understanding of the game and is still learning what it requires to be a consistent NRL player at the Melbourne Storm.

“But he's on track and has been going really well.”

Lowrie admits the club is still filling the holes left by experienced forwards Felise Kaufusi and the Bromwich brothers but said Howarth is well in contention for Melbourne's vacant left edge position.

“Guys like the Bromwich brothers and Felise, they’re seasoned quality first graders, so there was always going to be a transition period to replace them,” he said.

“We were pretty fortunate with Eli Katoa’s development. He came in without a whole lot of experience either and his development shot through early on and he nailed down that spot on the right edge.

“But there is pretty good competition on that other side for us. Joey Chan got the jump at the start of the year and did a good job before getting injured and Shawn Blore got an opportunity the other day, but Jack is definitely in the mix as well.

“Jack’s really keen to get to where he wants to be, he’s training hard and hopefully more time in the NRL isn’t too far away.”