Melbourne Storm’s three pathways teams have started training this month for their 2025 season with three ex-Storm NRL players and a talented group of Victorian coaches helping to guide them along the way.
The SG Ball (U19s) and Harold Matthews (U17s) squads have been in action since November 2 ahead of the start of their respective competitions on February 1.
Storm’s Jersey Flegg (U21s) squad hit the training field on November 9 with their competition kicking off on March 8/9.
The Road to AAMI Park pathways strategy of identifying and nurturing young local talent has already paid off with the Harold Matthews squad for 2025 entirely made up of Victorian players drawn from junior clubs across Melbourne.
As well as introducing players to the Storm culture, the Road to AAMI Park allows the Storm to invest in and connect with local junior clubs and also to be an integral part of the community.
The coaching staff has a wealth of experience and knowledge with three former Storm players in this season’s ranks.
Storm player #124 Matt Duffie will make his coaching debut with the SG Ball squad with former Storm Premiership player Justin O’Neill (player #127) as his assistant, marking his introduction to coaching at his old club.
Duffie has been Academy Coach at Storm since mid-2022.
Mark Russell is coaching the Jersey Flegg squad for his third season and has former Storm and representative player Nate Myles (player #185) on his coaching staff.
There is also a very high representation of Victorian coaches and staff across all three teams with Tony Adam, who came from the NRL Victoria system, once again coaching the Harold Matthews under-17s.
In the 19s, as well as local Victorian players, there are also players who have come through as part of the feeder club junior programs from the Sunshine Coast Academy and another coming to Melbourne from the North Sydney Bears.
Storm has a Senior Academy and Junior Academy in 2025 with those players spread out amongst the 19s and 21s. NRL squad member Jack Howarth will have the company of his brother Frank who is joining the club this season in the 19s squad.
Tim Auremi has started at Melbourne Storm as Pathways Operations Manager and Dean Benton as Pathways Performance Manager.
Providing further full time support for the program are Pathways Physiotherapist Kate Ryan and Pathways Player Wellbeing Coordinator Dylan Wolfgramm alongside the new Storm Player Wellbeing Coordinator and recently retired player Young Tonumaipea (player # 154) and Club Dietitian Georgia Walker .
“We are very excited to build on from our first season of our Road to AAMI Park Pathways Program that we commenced in late 2023,” Storm Director of Football, Frank Ponissi said.
“We have a wonderful group of young players and dedicated staff with our junior rep teams that will provide a unique experience for all players as well as providing them with the best possible opportunity to one day wearing the purple jersey in an NRL game on AAMI Park.
“We are very fortunate that we have such an extremely supportive Board that are fully committed to our Pathways Program as are our NRL coaching staff and players. The future is very exciting!”
An open training session on Saturday, December 14 will give Storm fans the opportunity to see all four Melbourne squads - NRL, under-21s, under-19s and under-17s - in action at Comely Banks Recreation Reserve, Pakenham.
