Storm fans might not be too familiar with Mel Woods, but the AAP reporter has likely attended more matches and written more words about the club than anyone else.
While this Saturday’s captains run may seem like any other pre-match media call for Mel, it has a special significance.
Season 2025 will be Mel’s 20th reporting on Storm as a journalist with Australian Associated Press and in an era where media outlets were reluctant to send journalists to cover Melbourne Storm in person, Mel has been in a group of her own.
It’s a rare week when Mel isn’t at a Storm press conference and, outside of covering Olympic Games and World Cups, she is always in the media box on gameday at AAMI Park.
“I started my career back in Wollongong covering the local league competition,” Mel said reflecting on her time.
“It was tough - and awkward - in the early days as a female league reporter but that attitude has changed, from both coaches and players, and I feel like we are now treated equally. It's been heartening to see many females thriving in different roles in the code, as well as the women on the field.
“I covered the NRL in Sydney with AAP before shifting to our Melbourne office in 2004 and taking over the league round fulltime in 2006. I have to say it was one of the only times I've questioned Craig's decision-making, installing five captains for the 2006 and 2007 seasons so it was a rotation at press conferences for those years!
“A colleague remarked to me a few years ago about how lucky I was as a league journalist. He said the team you cover nearly always win, nearly always play finals, win premierships and have interesting, knowledgeable and likable captains and coaches. I hadn't really thought about it until then, but he was right.
“The 2010 season sticks in my mind. It could have brought down the club but instead I think it made the club. The way the team was able to play - and win - most weeks despite not being able to earn any points was something special to witness.
“Sport has given me some amazing opportunities - as well as grand finals and State of Origin, I've covered multiple Olympics, rugby world cups, golf and tennis tournaments. Any aspiring journalists - both female and male - should follow their dream. The hours are terrible, and the pay isn’t great but the experiences can be priceless.”
Storm CEO, Justin Rodski, said Mel had made an enormous contribution to promoting Storm and rugby league in Victoria.
“Mel has always been held in high regard by our CEOs, General Manager Football, players and coaches,” Rodski said.
“That doesn’t come easily and is due to the quality of work she produces and the way she has built and maintained the relationships she has at the club.”
Storm Head Coach, Craig Bellamy, congratulated Mel on her achievements after captains run training heading into their Round 1 clash against the Parramatta Eels.
“It was always going to be hard for rugby league to crack the Melbourne media market and I’ve seen a lot of different faces at our media conferences over the years, but Mel has been around this place almost as long as I have,” Bellamy said.
“I might not have agreed on everything she has reported and she may not have agreed with everything that I have said, but Mel has always been fair, friendly and respectful. To last this long in this game is credit to Mel and the way she approaches our players and staff.”
Storm has been lucky to have had Mel chronicle the past 20 years.
