2011 Melbourne Storm season
(Redirected from Melbourne Storm season 2011)
| 2011 Melbourne Storm season | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NRL Rank | 1st (Minor Premier) | |||
| Play-off result | Preliminary Final Loss | |||
| 2011 record | Wins: 19; Draws: 0; Losses: 5 | |||
| Points scored | For: 521; Against: 308 | |||
| Team information | ||||
| CEO | Ron Gauci | |||
| Coach | Craig Bellamy | |||
| Captain |
| |||
| Stadium | AAMI Park – 30,050 | |||
| Top scorers | ||||
| Tries | Billy Slater (12) Cooper Cronk (12) Matt Duffie (12) | |||
| Goals | Cameron Smith (78) | |||
| Points | Cameron Smith (164) | |||
| ||||
The 2011 Melbourne Storm season was the 14th in the club's history. They competed in the NRL's 2011 Telstra Premiership and finished the regular season in first place, taking out the minor premiership.
Storm enjoyed a strong start to the season with a 7–3 record from the opening 10 rounds. Their run of stellar form continued, losing just two games for the remainder of the season. Both of those came on the eve of the finals but the team was still able to win the Minor Premiership, finishing two points clear of Manly. After beating Newcastle 18–8 in the Qualifying final, Storm's season was prematurely ended with a home preliminary final loss to the Warriors. Melbourne again finished the season with the competition's best defence.[1] At the Dally M awards, the Club featured prominently. Gareth Widdop also enjoyed a breakout season, playing 25 games while making 16 line breaks and providing 16 try assists.
Season summary
- The Storm played 9 of their first 13 games at AAMI Park.
- The Storm's 2011 season and revival commenced with their Round 1 clash with bitter rivals, the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, and Melbourne won 18–6.
- In Round 5 the Storm played the Parramatta Eels where their original 1998 jersey was worn by the players. This match had extra significance because it was the first time that coaches Craig Bellamy and Stephen Kearney faced off since Kearney departed the Storm as assistant at the end of 2010, to take on the Eels senior position. The Storm won convincingly, 38–0, for their first win over Parramatta since the 2009 Grand Final.
- The Anzac Day clash saw one of the Storm's largest home crowds with just over 22,000 attending the match, but the match was lost to the New Zealand Warriors by a narrow scoreline of 18–14.
- In Round 12 the Storm hosted the Cronulla Sharks at AAMI Park, in what was Cameron Smith's 200th NRL Game. The storm won 14-8 after a scoreless first half.
- In Round 19 the Storm traveled to Canberra Stadium to take on the Raiders. The Storm won 26–0; the scoreline was significant because it marked the first time in the Raiders history that they had been held scoreless on their own home ground.[2]
- In Round 20 the Storm hosted the Brisbane Broncos at AAMI Park almost 23,000 spectators attended the match which the Storm won 26 - 6. Cameron Smith notched up his 500th goal during this match, also the team wore a special jersey which was mostly Navy blue with a large grey and white V on the front, it also had the word "Melbourne" printed across the upper back. This jersey was to symbolise Victoria following the City of Melbourne's sponsorship of the match.
- Round 21 saw the Storm stage a remarkable win away at Parramatta Stadium by coming back from 18 - 0 down at the 54-minute mark to win 22 - 18.
- In Round 24 the Storm broke their winning streak record defeating the St George Illawarra Dragons 8–6 to win their 12th consecutive match. They also had their highest home crowd of the season and their 4th highest home crowd of all time, with 24,081 watching the match. Billy Slater also played his 200th game.
- In Round 25 the Storm lost 18–4 to the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles in a violent match informally known as the "Battle of Brookvale". Adam Blair received a five-match suspension for his role in the match, meaning he had played his last game for the club.[3]
- The Melbourne Storm completed the regular season in first place winning the minor premiership.
- Billy Slater was crowned Dally M Player of the Year at the Dally M Awards on 6 September 2011. Craig Bellamy also won coach of the year and Cameron Smith won the Representative player of the year award.
- The Storm qualified for the 2011 NRL finals series and played the Newcastle Knights in Week 1, winning 18–8. This win gave them a one-week break and a home Preliminary Final against the New Zealand Warriors. The Storm lost this final 20-12 ending their season.
Milestone games
| Round | Player | Milestone |
|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | Ryan Hinchcliffe | 50th game |
| Round 1 | Jaiman Lowe | Storm debut |
| Round 1 | Troy Thompson | Storm debut |
| Round 2 | Adam Blair | 100th game |
| Round 2 | Beau Champion | Storm debut |
| Round 4 | Atelea Vea | Storm debut |
| Round 4 | Adam Woolnough | Storm debut |
| Round 9 | Maurice Blair | Storm debut |
| Round 9 | Sisa Waqa | Storm debut |
| Round 10 | Dane Chisholm | NRL debut |
| Round 12 | Cameron Smith | 200th game |
| Round 24 | Billy Slater | 200th game |
| Round 26 | Jack Afamasaga | Storm debut |
Jerseys
In 2011 the Storm jerseys were made by Kooga. They retained their predominantly purple home jersey from 2010 and also their predominantly white away jersey from 2010.
On 4 February 2011 Crown Casino was named the naming rights sponsor of the Storm in 2011[4] and chest sponsor on the jersey. Suzuki is also continuing as major sponsors as well with their name appearing on the sleeves. There is no sponsorship on the back of the jersey.[5] Makita also announced a continuation of their sponsorship and their name will continue to appear on the shorts.[6]
Special
- Round 5 (Heritage Round) – Melbourne wore a replica of their original 1998 home jersey.
- Round 20 – Storm wore a special "platinum" jersey against the Brisbane Broncos.[7]
Melbourne Storm 2011 season crowd averages
| Total Crowd | Total Games | Crowd Average | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home | 170,932 | 12 | 14,244 |
| Away | 172,966 | 12 | 14,414 |
| All regular season games | 343,898 | 24 | 14,329 |
| Finals | 43,415 | 2 | 21,707 |
| All Games | 387,313 | 26 | 14,897 |
Fixtures
Pre Season
| Match | Opponent | Result | Mel. | Opp. | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trial Match (Split Squad) |
Ipswich Jets | Win | 34 | 0 | 11 Feb | Langlands Park |
| Trial Match (Split Squad) |
Easts Tigers | Loss | 0 | 10 | 11 Feb | Langlands Park |
| Trial Match | Canberra Raiders | Win | 24 | 4 | 19 Feb | Bega Recreation Ground, Bega |
| Trial Match | Brisbane Broncos | Loss | 6 | 26 | 26 Feb | Dolphin Oval |
Regular season - Rounds 1 to 12
Round 1
12 March 2011 7:30pm Local |
 Melbourne Storm
|
18 - 6 | Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Stanley, Duffie, Nielson Goals: Smith 2/2 Field Goal |
Tries: Robertson Goals: Lyon Field Goal |
Round 2
19 March 2011 5:30pm Local |
| Melbourne Storm
|
40 - 12 | Gold Coast Titans 
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries:Slater (2), Quinn, Manu, Smith, O'Neill, Cronk Goals: Smith 6/7 Field Goal |
Tries: Capewell, Zillman Goals: Prince 2/2 Field Goal |
Round 3
28 March 2011 6:00pm Local |
 North Queensland Cowboys
|
34 - 6 | Melbourne Storm
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Graham (2), Bowen (2), Sims, Tupou Goals: Thurston 5/6 Field Goal |
Tries: Widdop Goals: Smith Field Goal |
Round 4
4 April 2011 7:00pm Local |
| Melbourne Storm
|
30 - 16 | Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Duffie (2), Proctor, Neilsen, Bromwich Goals: Smith 5/6 Field Goal |
Tries: Turner, Ryan, Keating Goals: Goodwin 2/3 Field Goal |
Round 5
(Heritage Round) 10 April 2011 2:00pm local |
| Melbourne Storm
|
38 - 0 | Parramatta Eels 
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Champion (2), Cronk, Slater, Blair, Quinn, Duffie Goals: Smith 4/6, Widdop 1/1 Field Goal |
Tries: Goals: Field Goal |
Round 6
17 April 2011 3:00pm local |
 Penrith Panthers
|
10 - 25 | Melbourne Storm
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Earl, Tahu Goals: Gordon 1/2 Field Goal: |
Tries: Cronk, Norrie, Slater, Duffie Goals: Smith 4/5 Field Goal: Cronk 1/1 |
Round 7
(ANZAC Day/Easter) 25 April 2011 7:00pm local |
| Melbourne Storm
|
14 - 18 | New Zealand Warriors 
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Champion, Cronk Goals: Smith 3/3 Field Goal |
Tries: Inu, Lillyman, Luck Goals: Maloney 3/4 Field Goal |
Round 8
30 April 2011 7:30pm local |
| Melbourne Storm
|
42 - 12 | Newcastle Knights 
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Champion, Duffie, Lowrie, Nielson, Norrie, Slater, Quinn Goals: Smith 7/7 Field Goal |
Tries: Hilder, Uate Goals: Gidley 2/2 Field Goal |
Round 9
7 May 2011 7:30pm local |
 Brisbane Broncos
|
22 - 29 | Melbourne Storm
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Beale (2), Gagai, Reed Goals: Parker 3/4 Field Goal: |
Tries: Cronk, Hinchcliffe, Nielsen, Quinn, Waqa Goals: Smith 4/5 Field Goal: Cronk 1/2 |
Round 10
14 May 2011 5:30pm local |
| Melbourne Storm
|
12 - 20 | Canberra Raiders 
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Duffie, Proctor Goals: Smith 2/2 Field Goal: |
Tries: Robinson, McCrone, Ferguson Goals: Croker 4/4 Field Goal: |
Round 11
|
| . | Bye | . |
|---|---|---|
Round 12
29 May 2011 2:00pm local |
| Melbourne Storm
|
14 - 8 | Cronulla Sharks 
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Nielsen, Waqa Goals: Smith 3/3 Field Goal |
Tries: Gordon Goals: Porter 2/2 Field Goal |
Regular season - Rounds 13 to 26
Round 13
5 June 2011 3:00pm Local |
 South Sydney Rabbitohs
|
6 - 16 | Melbourne Storm
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Taylor Goals: Sandow 1/1 Field Goal: |
Tries: Blair, Bromwich, Smith Goals: Smith 1/2, Widdop 1/1 Field Goal: |
Round 14
13 June 2011 7:00pm Local |
| Melbourne Storm
|
21 - 4 | Sydney Roosters 
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries: O'Neill (2), Champion Goals: Widdop 4/5 Field Goal: Widdop 1/1 |
Tries: Leilua Goals: Anasta 0/1 Field Goal: |
Round 15
19 June 2011 3:00pm Local |
 Wests Tigers
|
4 - 12 | Melbourne Storm
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Ryan Goals: Marshall 0/1 Field Goal |
Tries: Hinchcliffe, Proctor Goals: Duffie 1/1, Smith 1/1 Field Goal |
Leichhardt Oval, Balmain, New South Wales
Attendance: 20,486 Referee: Adam Devcich, Ashley Klein Report:[22] |
Round 16
26 June 2011 2:00pm Local |
| New Zealand Warriors
|
8 - 16 | Melbourne Storm
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Hohaia Goals: Maloney 2/2 Field Goal: |
Tries: Slater (2), Widdop Goals: Smith 2/3 Field Goal |
Round 17
|
| . | Bye | . |
|---|---|---|
Round 18
9 July 2011 7:30pm Local |
| Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
|
18 - 28 | Melbourne Storm
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Barba, Stagg, Turner Goals: Turner 3/3 Field Goal |
Tries: Cronk (2), Bromwich, Waqa, Duffie Goals: Widdop 1/1, Smith 3/4 Field Goal |
Round 19
17 July 2011 2:00pm Local |
| Canberra Raiders
|
0 - 26 | Melbourne Storm
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Goals: Field Goal |
Tries: Duffie (2), Bromwich, Cronk, Hinchcliffe Goals: Widdop 0/1, Smith 3/4 Field Goal |
Round 20
22 July 2011 7:35pm Local |
| Melbourne Storm
|
26 - 6 | Brisbane Broncos
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries: M Blair (2), C Cronk, J O'Neill Goals: Smith 5/5 Field Goal |
Tries: Yow Yeh Goals: Parker 1/1 Field Goal |
Round 21
1 August 2011 7:00pm Local |
| Parramatta Eels
|
18 - 22 | Melbourne Storm
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Maitua, Lasalo Goals: Burt 5/5 Field Goal |
Tries: Waqa, Slater, O'Neill, Nielsen Goals: Smith 3/4 Field Goal |
Round 22
6 August 2011 5:30pm Local |
| Melbourne Storm
|
26 - 6 | Penrith Panthers
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Hinchcliffe, Manu, Slater, Proctor Goals: Smith 5/5 Field Goal |
Tries: Purtell Goals: Walsh Field Goal |
Round 23
13 August 2011 7:30pm Local |
| Gold Coast Titans
|
16 - 40 | Melbourne Storm
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Michaels, Thompson, Mead Goals: Campbell 2/4 Field Goal |
Tries: Cronk (3), Slater (2), Quinn, Manu Goals: Smith 6/7 Field Goal |
Round 24
19 August 2011 7:35pm Local |
| Melbourne Storm
|
8 - 6 | St. George Illawarra Dragons 
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Quinn Goals: Smith 2/2 Field Goal |
Tries: Stanley Goals: Soward 1/1 Field Goal |
Round 25
26 August 2011 7:35pm Local |
| Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
|
18 - 4 | Melbourne Storm
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Williams (2), Foran Goals: Lyon 3/4 Field Goal Cherry-Evans 0/1 |
Tries: Slater Goals: Widdop 0/1 Field Goal |
Round 26
4 September 2011 7:00pm Local |
| Sydney Roosters
|
40 - 8 | Melbourne Storm
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Leilua (3), Carney, Guerra, Minichiello, Pearce Goals: Anasta 6/7 Field Goal |
Tries: Champion, Duffie Goals: Widdop 0/1, Cronk 0/1 Field Goal |
Finals
Qualifying Final - Week 1
11 September 2011 4:00pm Local |
| Melbourne Storm
|
18 - 8 | Newcastle Knights
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Duffie, Champion, Manu Goals: Smith 3/4 Field Goal |
Tries: Gidley, Uate Goals: Gidley 0/2 Field Goal |
Preliminary Final - Week 3
24 September 2011 7:45pm Local |
| Melbourne Storm
|
12 - 20 | New Zealand Warriors
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Champion, Manu Goals: Smith 2/2 Field Goal |
Tries: Brown, Maloney, Tupou Goals: Maloney 4/4 Field Goal |
Ladders
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2011 Coaching Staff
NRL
- Head Coach: Craig Bellamy
- Assistant Coaches: David Kidwell & Kevin Walters
- Development Coach: Tony Adam
- Specialist Coach: Robbie Kearns
- Strength and Conditioning Coach: Alex Corvo
- Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coaches: Adrian Jiminez & Dan Di Pasqua
- Head Physiotherapist: Kieran Morgan
- Assistant Physiotherapist: Andrew Nawrocki
- Head Trainer: Craig Sultana
- General Manager Football Operations: Frank Ponissi
- Recruitment Manager: Darren Bell[34]
NRL Under 20s
- Head Coach: Dean Pay
- Assistant Coach: Adam O'Brien
- Development Coach: Chad Buckby
- High Performance Manager: Chris Jones
- Physiotherapist: Aaron Howlett[34]
2011 squad
Awards
Trophy CabinetMelbourne Storm Awards Night
|
Dally M Awards Night
RLIF Awards
Additional Awards
|
Notes
- ^ Previous First Grade RL club: 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
References
- ^ "History Melbourne Storm". melbournestorm.com.au. Retrieved 9 January 2017.
- ^ a b Rugby League | Canberra Raiders | Melbourne Storm
- ^ Jackson, Glenn (27 August 2011). "Battle of Brookie set to take toll on big guns' title assault". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
- ^ "Storm announce major sponsorship with Crown - Melbourne Storm". Archived from the original on 16 February 2011. Retrieved 4 February 2011.
- ^ "Suzuki drives forward with Storm - Melbourne Storm". Archived from the original on 16 February 2011. Retrieved 4 February 2011.
- ^ "Makita drills in their support for Storm - Melbourne Storm". Archived from the original on 16 February 2011. Retrieved 4 February 2011.
- ^ "The Bai Stand - View topic - 'Platinum' Melbourne Storm Jersey v Broncos (22 July 2011)". Archived from the original on 1 October 2011. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
- ^ Rugby League Tables / Season 2011
- ^ "2011 Match Centre - NRL.com". Archived from the original on 18 June 2012. Retrieved 16 March 2011.
- ^ Ruthless Storm spoil Preston's party - NRL.com
- ^ "2011 Match Centre - NRL.com". Archived from the original on 18 June 2012. Retrieved 16 March 2011.
- ^ Angry Dogs lick their wounds after being set upon by rejuvenated Storm pack
- ^ Storm hits peak with ominous look for rivals
- ^ Melbourne Storm too good for Penrith Panthers | Herald Sun
- ^ Bellamy accuses players of a half-hearted effort on day reserved for warriors
- ^ Cronk in Test mix as Gids damages shoulder
- ^ Brave Broncos fall short | Courier Mail
- ^ Canberra Raiders upset Melbourne Storm at AAMI Park | Herald Sun
- ^ Cronulla gallant but season now on line | Courier Mail
- ^ Rugby League | NRL | South Sydney Rabbitohs | Melbourne Storm
- ^ Melbourne Storm bt Sydney Roosters | NRL Rugby League | Photos
- ^ Rugby League | Wests Tigers | Melbourne Storm
- ^ Rugby League | New Zealand Warriors | Melbourne Storm
- ^ NRL Game Report | Live Scores and Breakdowns | thetelegraph.com.au
- ^ Broncos get reality check | Courier Mail
- ^ Melbourne Storm pull off amazing comeback to down Parramatta Eels 22-18 | thetelegraph.com.au
- ^ Melbourne Storm blow away Panthers | Herald Sun
- ^ Cooper's triple treat in Storm cakewalk | Herald Sun
- ^ Storm beat Dragons in tight tussle | Herald Sun
- ^ Manly maintain unbeaten home record with gutsy win over Melbourne | Herald Sun
- ^ Craig Bellamy says freshened Melbourne Storm will be fine for finals | Herald Sun
- ^ http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/live-storm-v-knights/story-e6frexnr-1226134153327[bare URL]
- ^ http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/live-warriors-v-storm/story-e6frf9if-1226145402828[bare URL]
- ^ a b Official Melbourne Storm Yearbook 2011. Melbourne Storm. p. 42.
- ^ "NRL Honour Board". melbournestorm.com.au. Melbourne Storm. Archived from the original on 28 September 2013. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
- ^ "Smith 2011 Storm Player of the Year". melbournestorm.com.au. Archived from the original on 29 November 2011. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
- ^ Official Melbourne Storm Yearbook 2011. Melbourne Storm. p. 27.