Melbourne were still pure premiership tier in 2025 — 2nd, 17 wins, +212… best differential in the comp — and it still stung because they didn’t finish the job. The vibe all year was simple: Bellamy’s still got it… but the spine couldn’t stay fully healthy together when it mattered.

In this episode of our 17-part 2026 mini-series, we rip into:

• 2025 identity: classic Storm ruthlessness + elite defence… with a few big-game leaks
• The end of an era: Welch retired, Papenhuyzen released, NAS released — what that means culturally and on-field
• The Zac Lomax situation: court dates, compensation drama, and why it’s become a full standoff
• 2026 draw: 8th-hardest, no bye until Round 15, brutal start, tough run home — but two Origin byes is massive
• Projected best 17: Fa’alogo, Munster/Hughes/Grant, and how they cover Katoa out
• My call: Storm finish ... — still in the premiership picture, but the churn + schedule makes it a grind.

Cap or Fact: Storm stay a top-4 defence even without NAS/Paps?
Storm fans — where’ve you got Melbourne finishing in 2026? 👇

Chapters

00:00Introduction to the Melbourne Storm Review

01:142025 Season Overview and Performance Analysis

04:44Coaching Insights and Future Prospects

05:08The Zach Lomax Situation: Legal and Contractual Issues

12:40Player Transfers and Roster Changes for 2026

17:00Key Players and Their Impact on the Team

20:27Expectations and Disappointments from the Season

24:55Key Moments and Highlights from 2025

25:19Ryan Pappenhausen's Record-Breaking Performance

26:29Grand Final Qualifier Highlights

27:21Harry Grant's Golden Boot Controversy

27:50Analyzing the Strength of Schedule

29:10Key Opponents and Team Analysis

30:49Predictions for the 2026 Season

33:50New Rules and Player Rotations

39:32Projected Starting Lineup

43:182026 Ladder Predictions and Key Storylines