League great Brad Fittler believes the Storm will be “burning” to avoid repeating the narrative of last year’s grand final as they prepare to meet their old foes at home.
Melbourne came out on top against the Panthers in the 2020 grand final but were unable to repeat that effort in 2024, falling short 14-6 on the big day.
The victory marked the fourth consecutive premiership won and fifth straight grand final appearance by Ivan Cleary’s men, and left a sombre feeling in the Storm’s locker room.
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“There’s not much I’m gonna say that is going to make this feel any better,” coach Craig Bellamy told his team in the sheds after the defeat in October.
Cameron Munster and his teammates after losing the grand final. Getty
“Without getting too technical or tactical, they stuck with what they are good at and they won’t be budged. Sometimes we tried to do a couple of things that we are probably not so good at.
“Let’s just celebrate that we won one trophy, the minor premiership … but that is the big one tonight.
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“We let an opportunity slip but I need to learn from it, you need to learn from it, we need to learn from it.
“It’s hard to get to a grand final but as we found out tonight it’s harder to win one.”
The speech by the master coach was one that felt familiar to Fittler, who had experienced both a grand final victory and defeat during his 15-year career.
Luke Ricketson and Brad Fittler holds aloft the trophy in 2002. Getty
Fittler won his first premiership with Melbourne’s foes the Panthers in 1991 before returning to lift the trophy once again in 2002 with the Sydney Roosters.
But his success did not dismiss the pain that came with back-to-back premiership defeats in 2003 and 2004.
“I won two and lost four,” he said on Wide World of Sports’ Freddy and the Eighth.
“To talk like (Bellamy) did straight after is hard. You’re just empty, totally empty.
“For hours you are just empty … it drives you.”
With a feeling of sadness pushed to the back of their minds, the Storm powered to a 56-18 victory over the Eels to kick off their 2025 season in style.
The victory was a warning to all their rivals in the competition as they continued Bellamy’s 22-year streak of opening round wins.
After having a bye in round two, Melbourne could also see the return of star prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona this week who was named in the reserves.
The towering Kiwi enforcer was absent from the grand final due to suspension and ironically almost missed selection for the rematch battle after being placed on report for a hip drop in the Queensland Cup.
“I think the circumstances with their front-rower not being there, deep down that would’ve been burning them,” Fittler said of Asofa-Solomona’s absence.
“It was quite ironic that he nearly got suspended from a Queensland Cup game that he wouldn’t of been able to play in this game. I think [his absence] hurt them.
“They took that loss personal. I saw Nick Meaney, who is usually quiet, made a comment saying that this game is very personal because of what happened last year.
“(They are) still burning.”
