One week into pre-season training and new Storm recruit Joe Chan is already feeling at home.
Completing a move not only to a new club but also across countries has been a big one for the young forward, however, the Storm family has been quick to wrap their arms around Chan and make the move as smooth as possible.
“The boys have been treating me like family,” Chan explained at the end of his first week at Storm.
“All the brothers have been introducing themselves and showing me the path so it’s been good.”
Joe Chan pre-season chat
Chan, who turns 21 next March also has a real-life family connection to the Club with his father Alex playing 32 games in purple across the 2004 and 2005 seasons. It’s a bond that will become stronger whenever Joe pulls on the purple jersey and looks to emulate his father’s feats. Alex’s name still adorns the Storm locker room forever as Storm player #71.
“He’s always told me that this is such a good place,” Chan reflected.
[He said] it’s very difficult but when you come out of pre-season you’re a better man on the field and you’re a better man off the field as well.
After playing in the Super League over the past two years Chan has set his sights on the challenge the NRL will bring but family is still in his mind when he ponders the prospect of settling into Melbourne.
“My goal is to make my debut this year and obviously create new friends and family over here too,” the forward revealed.
Storm will enter week two of pre-season training on Monday.
