There have been no shortage of quality big men come through Melbourne Storm over the 20 years.
To lead the Storm pack is a coveted role that few are capable of filling.
These six men have taken that mantle during their careers and as such are contenders for the forward positions in the 20-year team:
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Glenn Lazarus
- 44 Storm games (1998-99)
- 2 tries
- 1999 Premiership player
When you are building a Club it is hard to think of a better character to centre it around. ‘Lazzo’ spent two wonderful years helping to establish Melbourne Storm into the proud and successful Club you see today. That image of Lazarus doing a cartwheel in celebration after winning the 1999 Grand Final remains one of the most iconic shots in Storm history. What a way it was to sign of on one of the greatest careers on the 90s era. Lazarus may have come to Melbourne in the twilight of his career but his commitment to ensuring something special was created in Victoria is a testament to just how much he will always mean to this Club.
Rodney Howe
- 106 Storm games (1998-2004)
- 4 tries
- 1999 Premiership player
Following the retirement of Lazarus, it was Howe who would step up to be one of the leaders of the Storm pack for the next five seasons. He shared the Storm captaincy with Robbie Kearns in 2001 before taking on the role on his own for 2002. Howe had an on-field presence about him that was crucial in ensuring that the boys from Melbourne would not be pushed around while in their infancy.
Robbie Kearns
- 169 Storm games (1998-2005)
- 18 tries
Kearns was one of Storm’s marquee men during those formative years. He took a risk to move to Melbourne as he approached the peak of his career but the gamble well and truly paid off. He earned Origin and Australian honours off the back of his performances in the purple jersey and was a driving force behind the early success the Club enjoyed. Kearns captained the Club in 2000-01 and again in his final season in 2005. He remains a beloved character at the Club, working as part of the administrative team and is a true ‘heart and soul’ figure within the walls of AAMI Park.
Brett White
- 127 Storm games (2005-10)
- 6 tries
- 2007, 2009 Premiership player
White was a rather untried talent before linking up with Melbourne in 2005. However a healthy dose of Craig Bellamy belief ignited one of the greatest careers of anyone to have worn the purple. If any player on the opposing team dare lay a cheap shot on the Storm halfback they knew they would have White to answer to. A resolute team man ready to go to war if you asked him to. Never was a Storm team going to take a backwards step while he was in the 17.
Jeff Lima
- 96 Storm games (2006-2010)
- 8 tries
- 2007, 2009 Premiership player
They did not make them much tougher than Jeff Lima. The Auckland-born prop began his career with Wests Tigers but played just two games before joining Storm and going on to play in four consecutive Grand Finals, winning two of them. Lima had use of every inch of his 113kg frame, with a wrecking ball style that had the Storm attack on the front foot whenever Lima was running at the opposition line.
Jesse Bromwich
- 182 Storm games (2010-present)
- 23 tries
- 2012, 2017 Premiership player
When you win three consecutive Storm Player of the Year awards playing alongside some of the best players to ever play the game you know you are a fair footballer. A two-time Premiership player, Bromwich was also named the 2016 Dally M Prop of the Year. The Kiwi representative has taken the mantle as leader of the Storm pack and run with it, proudly carrying on the No.8 legacy left by those before him. The next generation at Melbourne Storm will always be bright with Bromwich there to lead the way.
