The 2019 Melbourne Storm season was the 22nd in the club's history, competing in the 2019 NRL season. The team was coached by Craig Bellamy, who coached the club for his 17th consecutive season. Melbourne Storm were captained by Cameron Smith, who had been the sole captain for the team since 2008. On 13 July 2019 Smith became the first NRL player to play 400 NRL games. On 31 August 2019 the Storm defeated the Manly Sea Eagles to win their fourth J. J. Giltinan Shield as the minor premiers.
Pre-season – New recruits took part in Melbourne Storm IDQ camp for pre season training before New Years. Tom Eisenhuth was awarded the IDQ Iron bar with special recognition to both Sandor Earl & Nicho Hynes.[1]
Round 1 – Prior to the commencement of play, the northern stand of AAMI Park was renamed "The Slater Stand" after Billy Slater. Storm defeated the Broncos 22–12 extending their winning streak in Round 1 to 17 seasons. Tom Eisenhuth makes Storm debut.
Round 3 – Storm defeat the Panthers 32–2 in Bathurst, Marion Seve scores his first NRL try
Round 5 – Cameron Smith becomes the game's highest ever points scorer with penalty goal in the 48th minute. Smith finished the game on 2422 points. Sandor Earl made his debut for the Storm and also played his first game following a four year ban from the game.
Round 9 – The NRL stage their first Magic Round at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium. The Storm completed one of the biggest wins in the club's history dominating the Parramatta Eels 64-10. Will Chambers played game 200.
Round 11 – The Storm defeat the Bulldogs away at Belmore Oval Sydney with Cameron Smith playing his 500th first grade game. Cameron Munster also played his 100th Game.
Round 16 – Missing 7 players due to State of Origin, Storm win 16–14 against St George Illawarra. The game was notable due to the large number of milestones; with Cameron Smith scoring his 2500th career point, Sandor Earl played his 50th NRL game, Craig Bellamy coached his 300th win and both Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and Billy Walters making their playing debuts.
Round 17 – Cameron Smith becomes the first NRL player to play in 400 NRL games in the Storm's 40-16 win over Cronulla.
Round 19 – Cameron Smith captains his 300th NRL Game.
Round 22 – The Storm lose to the Canberra Raiders 22–18 after leading 18–0 shortly before half time. This result meant that it was the Storm's worst collapse in the history of the club.[2]
Round 24 – Storm defeat the Manly Sea Eagles 36-6 and clinch the J. J. Giltinan Shield as the minor premiers for 2019. Nelson Asofa-Solomaona also played his 100th game.
Craig Ingebrigtsen – Sunshine Coast Falcons Feeder Club Coach
2019 Squad
List current as of 24 March 2019
(a): This column denotes the previous RL club the player was signed to and played first grade RL for. If they are yet to debut then this is stipulated. If they were merely signed to the club but did not play then it is not counted.
Round 9: Cameron Smith (9 Goals) vs Parramatta Eels
Most tries in a Game: 3
Round 2: Suliasi Vunivalu vs. Canberra Raiders
Round 24: Justin Olam vs. Manly Sea Eagles
Winning Games
Highest score in a winning game: 64 points
Round 9: vs. Parramatta Eels
Lowest score in a winning game: 13 points
Round 7 vs. New Zealand Warriors
Greatest winning margin: 54 points
Round 9: vs. Parramatta Eels
Greatest number of Games won consecutively: 9
Round 9 to Round 18
Losing Games
Highest score in a losing game: 20 points
Round 6: vs. Sydney Roosters
Lowest score in a losing game: 10 points
Round 19: vs. Manly Sea Eagles
Greatest losing margin: 4 points
Round 22: vs. Canberra Raiders
Jersey
On 7 February the Storm announced that the 2019 Jersey will remain the same from 2018 however with updated NRL logos and the new 2019 Melbourne Storm logo. In addition the jersey now features the new Storm sponsor Purple Bricks.[40]
Jersey choice
RD1
RD2
RD3
RD4
RD5
RD6
RD7
RD8
RD9
RD10
RD11
RD12
RD13
RD14
RD15
RD16
RD17
RD18
RD19
RD20
RD21
RD22
RD23
RD24
RD25
QF
SF
PF
Home
Home
Clash
Home
Clash
Home
ANZAC
Clash
Home
Home
Indigenous#
—
Clash
Home
Clash
Home
CAM400^
Clash
Heritage^^
Clash
Clash
WIL&
Home
Clash
Home
Home
Home
Clash
# Designed by Lenny Briggs.[41]
^ Special jersey designed for Cameron Smith's 400th NRL game.
^^ Heritage jersey inspired by the 2009 home jersey; celebrating both the 1999 NRL Grand Final premiership and 2009 NRL Grand Final winning teams. &Women in League jersey featuring pink thunderbolts motif.