Although the Storm may be missing the finals for the first time in 16 years, the emergence of players like Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown are a sign of the green shoots of success to come into the future.
A standout last week in their 46-20 Round 26 win over the Broncos, the Victorian Altona Roosters product scored three tries – including one length-of-the-field intercept – ran 170 run metres and had three tackle breaks.
While devastating, the club’s crippling injury toll this year, including to representative winger Xavier Coates who took no part in the season, has given players like “Lagi” the opportunity to gain valuable experience in the NRL.
Named on the wing for his 13th game as the Storm draw the curtain on their season on Saturday against Cronulla, Tuimalatu-Brown said he was grateful for what he had learnt this year.
Match: Sharks v Storm
Round 27 -
home Team
Sharks
5th Position
away Team
Storm
11th Position
Venue: Ocean Protect Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
“I've only played a couple of games … I'm counting every game as it goes, but just really grateful to be here,” Tuimalatu-Brown said.
“At the very start of the year I was struggling quite a bit with my footy, I feel like my biggest enemy was myself.
“I was really struggling on the mental side of everything, but every game that goes by, the boys, they get around me and they kind of just explain there's always another game.
“So just having that mentality, just getting into every game, taking one game at a time.
Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown stars for the Storm
“My goal for the next game is obviously just to be consistent with everything.
“I've always been an inconsistent player growing up, so the biggest work on, especially what Craig [Bellamy] and staff have been helping me with is my routine.
“Sometimes it gets a bit scary when Craig comes to have a chat, but you get used to it and you realise it's just passion and he wants the best for you.
“He is one of the best coaches in the game, so I'm so glad that I have him as a mentor.”
The winger, who made his NRL debut last year and played one game, was also one of four Victorian-bred talents to feature for the Storm this year (alongside Sua Fa’alogo, Hugo Peel and Trent Toelau), with the club working hard to grow that number in the future.
“I'm a Melbourne boy … so I feel like I play extra hard knowing that it's actually where I'm from,” Tuimalatu-Brown said.
“I'm actually representing my city, so I've got the whole family back at home.
“I've been Melbourne Storm fans my whole life, so the culture at the Storm has been great.
“Honestly, I'm so proud of being a part of such a good club and also being from the city.
“The boys, they give me a lot of confidence and the coaching staff are actually one of the best people in the world.”
While proud of his Victorian heritage, he said one day he’d like to represent his family on the biggest representative stage there is and feature in international matches.
“I'd love to play for a country, my Mum's actually English and Dad's Samoan, so (I would just be) grateful to be a part of any team and I'd love to play for a country to represent my family,” Tuimalatu-Brown said.
“For now, I am just trying to play my best footy, one game at a time.
“But if the team decides to pick me, I'm all for it.”
While the Storm club welcome experienced winger Jamayne Isaako to their squad next season and are hopeful to see Coates back in action, coach Craig Bellamy challenged Tuimalatu-Brown to push for a starting spot next year.
“With all due respect, he's got all the physical attributes of a good rugby league player and especially, a good winger,” Bellamy told reporters after the Broncos win.
“He probably just needs to get himself a little bit more involved in the game … and at the right time.
“Lagi’s still got a bit to learn, but physically, he's got all the attributes.
“It's just a matter of finding the right way to use them and I'm sure he'll be wiser next year.”
Next year, the Storm will begin their 2027 campaign with a game in Las Vegas on February 27, taking on Wests Tigers. The other NRL match will see the Eels face the Titans.
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