There’s nothing as stable as change: Nick Meaney calls Melbourne home

‘Mr.Fix-It’, ‘quiet-achiever’, ‘Mean machine’ - whatever your preferred nickname, Nick Meaney embodies it. 

Arriving at Melbourne Storm only two years ago, Meaney’s quick distinction as a valuable and impactful player bears no surprise he has signed to remain in Melbourne until at least 2026. 

For some, all-star names like Ryan Papenhuyzen, Cameron Munster and Xavier Coates holding long-standing claims over your preferred positions would be cause for concern over your future – but not for Nick. 

Quiet determination during his first pre-season put the 27-year-old on top of the coaches’ list to embrace Storm’s ‘next man up’ mentality, with Meaney seemingly always ready to fill the void when players were sidelined. 

It seems no matter the position, nor the challenge, Meaney is more than capable of stepping up to the occasion, recording two games at five-eighth, ten as a winger, thirty-six at fullback and four at centre during his time in purple. 

“I think change is good sometimes. For me personally, I like change because it makes things fresh and sometimes you get a bit, not bored, but stuck in the same cycle all the time,” 

“Change has given me a bit more energy and focus coming in to train each day and trying to learn new things and same off the field. 

“We had another boy and that adds another dynamic to the family and the household which keeps me on my toes.” 

While two years of constant change has allowed Meaney to flourish as the ultimate utility, even he can’t deny that the stability at centre in 2024 has been a welcome difference granting him the ability to set personal goals. 

“Stability definitely is a good thing. Obviously for me, I've played different positions, so I'm able to adapt probably a bit better to changing position or if something goes wrong, change into that to that role,” 

“But definitely for myself to get better, I think it starts with consistency and that stability and it allows me to be consistent at one thing.

“I just want to cement that centre spot and do it really well. I think defence is a big focus for our team. So just defending...making my tackles...and then just playing my best footy.

“I spent a lot of time in the pre-season working with [Jahrome Hughes] and Will [Warbrick] outside me. It’s been good got a lot of good reps in.

“You never know what happens throughout the year. Touch wood, there's no injuries anywhere else. But I think just being myself, being fit and ready to handle whatever comes.

I always get asked what position I want to play, but at the Storm it doesn't really matter to me as long as I'm out there trying to do my job.

Meaney currently sits sixth on the Club’s all-time point’s scored list (402), 11 points behind teammate (and the only other active Storm player on the list) Papenhuyzen (413). The Ballina Seagulls junior officially cements himself alongside legends Cameron Smith, Matt Orford, Billy Slater and Matt Geyer, having already overtaken Cooper Cronk and Josh Addo-Carr for points scored. 

Since debuting in the purple jersey at the beginning of the 2022 season, Meaney has topped the charts as the Club’s highest point scorer for two consecutive years alongside voted by the fans as the 2023 RedZed Member’s Player of the Year. 

The accolades don’t stop there, his debut season in Melbourne earnt him the joint-title of Back of the Year (alongside Papenhuyzen), and in 2023 he took home the coveted Spirit of ANZAC Medal. 

A resume like that doesn’t just sprout from luck – there's hundreds of hours of training, preparation and self-belief going into it.  

“I never really thought I'd be here and had the career here that I've had. I'm really grateful and really thankful for the coaching staff and all the boys that have welcomed me in here,” 

“I signed for two years originally filling that backup role that Nicho Hynes left. Look at it now, I'm going to be here for, I think all up five years, but hopefully longer who knows.

“Billy Slater coming in a couple of times a week, what you learn off him, he's unbelievable. He's got such a good football brain, the players around me as well with Ryan [Papenhuyzen] and everyone like that and playing those big games you learn a lot more about yourself as well.

“I’ve learnt a lot off the field. Family life has really taken over and it's probably allowed me to get away from football quite a lot. When I was living in Sydney, didn't have any kids and you kind of consume yourself around football. So having that outlet is definitely a big thing.” 

117 games into his NRL career, 52 with Storm, the versatile back shares he has found home in Melbourne since relocating from New South Wales in 2022 with his wife, Shania, and then newborn son, Reign.

Now settled into their life down south, the Meaney’s have since welcomed their second son, Rome, a born and bred Victorian. 

“I feel like [a Victorian] because when I go back home, it's too hot up there for me. I think I like the cold weather now,” 

“Reign, he’s nearly 2 and a half, and Rome is 8 months so they’re definitely hitting the milestones. Rome’s starting to crawl now and make some noises and stuff. So that's all happening at home, it’s good.

“Storm gave them [home kit] each for Round 1. So, they've got their outfits. I think Reign wore his for the trial match. He's always at home with the footy, in the Storm gear watching me. So, that's pretty special and makes me proud.”

With the Club currently preparing for their Round 6 clash against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at AAMI Park, the extension is a full-circle moment for the back – having spent the first half of his career in the blue and white. 

“I don't know many people at the club anymore. They've had a large turnaround in players, but it's my old club so it's always cool to verse them and try and get over them,” 

“I remember last year they came here in Round 2 and really flew us out of the park and started really well and they did that again last week against the Roosters. No doubt they're going to do the same thing. So, we’ve got to match it.”