The Mole: Storm coach Craig Bellamy facing stiff task to make ground on Panthers and Broncos
To most clubs, getting within a game of the grand final would be classed as a successful season - but the Melbourne Storm set their standards higher than the field.
For that reason, the Storm finished the year feeling somewhat short-changed, knowing they didn't quite produce their best in the finals.
They ended the regular season in third place but bowed out after heavy defeats in September to eventual grand finalists Brisbane (26-0) and Penrith (38-4).
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That showed the gap between the 'big two' and the rest of the field and Craig Bellamy's task in the off-season is to find a way to narrow the gap.
Without having signed a recognised player to date, Bellamy clearly has his work cut out for him - but write him off at your own peril.
The Storm were no match for the Penrith Panthers in last weekend's preliminary final Brendon Thorne via Getty Images
It was always going to be a testing year for the Storm, having lost four of their starting pack in Felise Kaufusi (Dolphins), Brandon Smith (Roosters), Jesse Bromwich (Dolphins) and Kenny Bromwich (Dolphins).
Eli Katoa proved a fine pick-up from the Warriors, cementing a spot in the back row, but went a bit quiet in the final. He will be better for it in 2024.
Watch the 2023 NRL grand final exclusively live and free on 9Now
Ryan Papenhuyzen's absence - he managed just three games before suffering another shocking leg injury - definitely hurt the team, although Bellamy found a fine replacement fullback in former Bulldog Nick Meaney.
Rugby convert Will Warbrick was a revelation in his first season on the wing, scoring 17 tries in 25 games.
Another horror injury for Ryan Papenhuyzen put a dampener on the Storm's season. Getty
Fellow winger Xavier Coates wasn't far behind with 16, including some spectacular leaping efforts.
Centre Justin Olam, a rock in recent seasons, struggled in 2023 and spent time in the Queensland Cup before earning a late recall.
Watch the 2023 NRL grand final exclusively live and free on 9Now
Brilliant halves Jahrome Hughes and Cameron Munster each managed 22 games and came up with some super plays - but both would admit 2023 was not their finest season.
Harry Grant - under extra pressure following Smith's departure - stepped up and was probably the club's best.
Star hooker Harry Grant had a sensational season after the off-season departure of Brandon Smith Getty
Big Nelson Asofa-Solomona had his moments up front but Christian Welch (25 games) and under-rated tyros Trent Loiero (26) and Josh King (26) did most of the heavy lifting in the pack.
Bellamy unearthed some fine talent in Tyran Wishart, Jonah Pezet, Bronson Garlick and Grant Anderson and the onus will be on players like these to step up to make the club a force again given their lack of activity in the transfer market.
Best player: Losing Brandon Smith put Harry Grant in the hot seat but the jack-in-the-box hooker delivered, scoring and setting up plenty of tries and getting the Storm on the front foot with his brilliance at dummy-half.
Key signing: n/a
2024 losses: Tariq Sims (Catalans Dragons)
