Storm 'at a crossroads'; star's 'attitude' in question

Losing one grand final is devastating - losing two in a row can break the spirit of a club.

And that's the dilemma facing Craig Bellamy as he attempts to pick up the pieces over the summer heading into what shapes as the final season of his glittering career.

The Storm - so dominant and powerful for the past two decades - are now a club at a crossroads.

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The last team to lose back-to-back grand finals was the Sydney Roosters way back in 2003 and 2004.

The great Brad Fittler retired after that second defeat, and the following year, the Roosters bombed out, missing the finals completely.

The Storm will want to be careful they don't suffer a similar fate after the heartbreak of the past two years.

And they will have to do plenty of soul-searching after leading the grand final by 10 points - and seeming to have the Broncos at their mercy.

A team renowned for burying their opponents into the dirt once they hit the lead down the years, they will be asking plenty of questions at the post-season debrief.

Things were looking good for Melbourne heading into the finals, with 11 wins from 12 games in the customary Bellamy Melbourne Cup preparation.

But then it inexplicably all fell apart, with the team regarded by the bookies as title favourites losing three of their last five - including the big one.

Looking at the big picture, though, it was still a fine season and 15 other clubs would have loved to get as far the Storm did in 2025.

There were setbacks - experienced prop Christian Welch retired without playing a game, match-winning winger Will Warbrick played just seven matches after a severe concussion, the team's general Jahrome Hughes twice broke bones in his arm, and Ryan Papenhuyzen took a while to find his confidence after several injury-plagued seasons.

Big bopper Nelson Asofa-Solomona had problems with form, injury and the judiciary, managing just 12 games, taking away much of the team's fire power up front.

Big guns Cameron Munster and Harry Grant had huge years but were well contained by the Broncos in the grand final and had little impact.

To add to Bellamy's problems for 2026, rival clubs are sniffing around boom youngsters Jonah Pezet and Tyran Wishart, and the rebel rugby competition is going in hard for Munster.

With little room to move in the salary cap, the club has yet to sign an established player for next season and may need to do some juggling to bring in fresh blood for what shapes as a huge challenge ahead.

Best player: Eli Katoa established himself as the game's best second-rower over the campaign, playing every game except the one in which Bellamy rested his stars, scoring 14 tries and creating many more.

Biggest disappointment: Asofa-Solomona - word has it the Storm aren't happy with his attitude and he needs a big off-season to get back in favour.

2026 gains: Nil to date

2026 losses: Bronson Garlick (Rabbitohs), Grant Anderson (Broncos)