Such are the standards the Storm have set since Craig Bellamy first walked through the door two decades ago that anything less than a top-four finish in 2024 will be viewed as a failure.
The doubters will again line up to talk down Melbourrne’s chances, just as they did a year ago after Brandon Smith, Felise Kaufusi and the Bromwich brothers exited the club and star fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen was at least six months away from a return.
History shows that the Storm found a way to sneak past the Eels in golden point in Round 1 and went on to post 16 wins for the season on their way to finishing third.
That gutsy victory over Parramatta made it a staggering 21 years in a row that Melbourne had won their season opener, a record they will put on the line against premiers Penrith on March 8 in a blockbuster start to 2024.
With Bellamy set to call it a day and pass the clipboard to Jason Ryles after 22 seasons at the helm, the players will have the added motivation of sending the three-time premiership-winning mentor out on a high.
The master coach has made no major signings, pinning his faith in the same squad that made it to a preliminary final in 2023, with Cameron Munster, Harry Grant and Jahrome Hughes again the linchpins.
With Papenhuyzen set to return from an ankle injury, the Storm's spine ranks among the best in the NRL, especially with Nick Meaney and Sua Faalogo also in the mix for the coveted No.1 jersey.
NRL Fantasy club by club: Storm
Predicted Round 1 team
1. Ryan Papenhuyzen
2. Will Warbrick
3. Nick Meaney
4. Reimis Smith
5. Xavier Coates
6. Cameron Munster
7. Jahrome Hughes
8. Tui Kamikamica
9. Harry Grant
10. Christian Welch
11. Trent Loiero
12. Eliesa Katoa
13. Josh King
14. Sua Faalogo
15. Nelson Asofa-Solomona
16. Alec MacDonald
17. Aaron Pene
How the Storm plan to sustain success
Key Changes
Ins: None
Outs: Tariq Sims (Catalans), Jayden Nikorima (Catalans), George Jennings (released), Jordan Grant (released), Tom Eisenhuth (Dragons).
Health Check
Ryan Papenhuyzen (ankle, Round 1)
Alec MacDonald (hamstring, Round 1)
Every Jahrome Hughes try assist of the 2023 season
Positional Battle to Watch
From Robbie Ross and Greg Inglis to Billy Slater and Ryan Papenhuyzen, the Melbourne Storm have been blessed with an array of gun No.1s through the years. In 2023, Nick Meaney added his name to the list with a host of quality performances in the absence of Papenhuyzen with a serious knee injury. Meaney has played his past 32 games at fullback and could well start the new season there should Paps not be right to return from the ankle injury he suffered in week one of the finals against Brisbane.
Papenhuyzen returned to the USA in December to work with reconditioning specialist Bill Knowles for a second time, hoping to have his body and mind right for the rigours of a full season. Should Papenhuyzen reclaim his spot at fullback then Meaney could slot seamlessly into the centres and play a key role in that position.
The wildcard in the race for the No.1 jersey is youngster Sua Faalogo, who exploded onto the scene with a double on debut in Round 27 and turned heads with his scintillating form for Samoa during the Pacific Championship. The 20-year-old is blessed with exceptional pace and anticipation and looms as a real X-factor for Bellamy in 2024, whether it be at fullback or in a utility role on the bench.