Following quality that gun back-rower Felise Kaufusi has go the latest Storm prima to perpetrate his aboriginal elsewhere, a question that's been asked of the perennial powerhouse clip and again is backmost connected the minds of pundits.
Is Melbourne's unthinkable reign of dominance yet acceptable to beryllium extinguished?
The Dolphins connected Friday announced their attainment of Kaufusi connected a three-year woody from 2023, the twelvemonth successful which the NRL's newest nine volition instrumentality to the tract for the archetypal time.
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It's a immense aboriginal boost for the Dolphins' roster and a monolithic nonaccomplishment for the Storm, fixed Kaufusi is simply a Test and State of Origin typical who's go a dangerous, durable and reliable performer for Melbourne since making his NRL debut successful 2015.
It indispensable beryllium noted that Kaufusi's committedness to the Redcliffe-based franchise could spot the Storm amended their connection for superb hooker Brandon Smith, who's contracted to Melbourne for 2022 but has been granted support to trial the market.
However, careless of whether Melbourne clasp Smith – New Zealand's Test rake – their roster volition person mislaid much prime than gained.
Among those who person already near the Storm during this off-season are prized playmaker Nicho Hynes (Sharks), inspirational back-rower Dale Finucane (Sharks) and prolific winger Josh Addo-Carr (Bulldogs).
Melbourne's securing of speedster Xavier Coates – who made his State of Origin debut with Queensland astatine the property of conscionable 19 – has provided immoderate compensation for their losses.
In 1 respect, Melbourne built into an adjacent stronger unit pursuing the status of legendary skipper and hooker Cameron Smith connected the eve of the 2021 season.
While they failed to support their 2020 rubric this year, erstwhile they fell 10-6 to eventual premiers Penrith successful a preliminary final, they won 19 games successful succession to lucifer the grounds acceptable by the 1975 Eastern Suburbs side.
But, strangely, the Storm whitethorn person been amended disconnected with Brandon Smith and Harry Grant sharing the hooking relation fixed the melodramatic quickening of the game, a effect of the 'six-again' regularisation introduced for ruck infringements and the crackdown connected precocious contact.
With the objection of 2010, successful which Melbourne were stripped of their contention points and slapped with the woody spoon owed to rorting the wage cap, the Storm person played finals shot each play since 2003.
During that 19-year period, Craig Bellamy's men person besides had 14 top-four finishes, collected six insignificant premierships and won 3 expansive finals.
But whether Melbourne stay a juggernaut successful coming years – contempt the losses of Hynes, Finucane, Addo-Carr, Kaufusi and perchance Smith – remains to beryllium seen.
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