Storm recruit Paul Momirovski moved from Sydney to Melbourne and back again, and now finds himself halfway between the two in a crazy start to his NRL season.
Story/Image credit via AAP.
Wests centre Momirovski and Storm hooker Harry Grant were in late March granted a competition-first 12-month swap deal that was months in the making.
Momirovski flew down to Melbourne with his new team after their round two win over the Sharks but only completed one training session before heading back home to Sydney to wait out the coronavirus-enforced shutdown.
Now he is in Albury on the NSW-Victoria border, where the Storm have started preparations for the May 28 competition restart.
Momirovski said he has been embraced by his new teammates, who have helped him settle despite his strange situation.
"I've known a few of them through teams here and there and it's been good," he told ABC radio.
"When I was in Melbourne for a couple of days I was living with Cooper Johns, and through his relationships I've gotten to know a few of the boys and everyone's been really lovely. It's been a really smooth transition."
Most of the Storm players remained in Albury for the weekend, while those with children headed back to Melbourne.
The Victorian government will announce on Monday whether the club can shift back to their AAMI Park headquarters midway through the week.
Momirovski is hopeful of dislodging Justin Olam or Marion Seve in the Storm line-up and has been soaking up the knowledge of premiership coach Craig Bellamy and his troops.
The 23-year-old described the club as a "well-oiled machine" with everyone clear on what they need to do to win.
The swap deal with Harry Grant is only for the 2020 season, with Momirovski signing a two-year contract extension with the Tigers although he appeared open to staying.
"For me it was (a great opportunity) to come down to Melbourne and learn as much as I can from Craig and the staff and players here," he said.
"I'm not looking too far ahead ... however long it may be we will see."
