One win does not a season make.
Thunderbolts coach Eric Smith is well aware of that as his young side prepares to secure back-to-back wins for the first time this season.
After flashes of brilliance over the past month, Storm’s Under-20s finally put together a complete 80-minute performance against the Bulldogs last Saturday.
The result was a resounding 60-10 win that gave the Thunderbolts some deserved reward for their effort over the past month.
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As pleasing as the performance was, there is little time to rest on their laurels with a date with Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval fast approaching.
“It has been a few weeks in the making, we’ve sort of been putting one half together for the last three or four weeks and coming up short,” Smith said.
“To put a performance together for 80 minutes was pleasing but we definitely haven’t got too far ahead of ourselves.
“We’ve taken some confidence out of that but there is still plenty for us to work on.”
Bringing consistent effort across all areas is one key component Smith is looking for his players to improve on.
“They are all aware of what is expected at Melbourne Storm to play NRL. You’ve got to be consistent rugby league player, not just for one or two weeks but over a long period of time,” Smith said.
“We are slowly taking steps to becoming that football team, slowly building that consistent side of our game together.
“Last weekend’s performance against the Bulldogs will mean absolutely nothing if we go out and perform poorly this weekend instead of moving forward.”
Storm NYC Thunderbolts v Wests Tigers
Sunday 17 April, 1:45pm
Leichhardt Oval
1. Jesse Arthars
2. Joel Gittins
3. Cory Parker
4. Angelo Leaupepe
5. Nat McGavin
6. Scott Drinkwater
7. Brodie Croft
8. Josh Kerr
9. Sam Burns
10. Ben Nakubuwai
11. Charlie Galo
12. Jaiyden Hunt
13. Lachlan Timm
14. Connor Donehue
15. Louis Geraghty
16. Daymeric Pelo
17. Riley Leota
