Storm’s New Fullback Puts the League on Notice, Bellers Praises Slater’s Influence
Melbourne Storm’s young gun Sua Fa’alogo has made an immediate impact since stepping into the crucial No.1 jersey, leading the club to an impressive 46-20 victory over the St. George Illawarra Dragons. The electrifying fullback bagged a hat-trick in the win, demonstrating the kind of form that has coach Craig Bellamy confident he’ll be the Storm’s custodian for “a long time.”
The pre-season was dominated by questions surrounding how Melbourne would adapt following the shock retirement of star fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen. However, in his first two appearances of the season, Fa’alogo has quelled any such concerns, proving he is more than capable of filling the massive shoes left by his predecessor.
Fa’alogo’s three tries against the Dragons were a masterclass in speed and agility, showcasing the footwork and acceleration that have marked him as one of the game’s most exciting emerging talents. These decisive scores came within a blistering 12-minute period in the second half, as a tiring Dragons defence struggled to contain his relentless attack. This performance has inevitably reignited conversations about the NRL’s new six-again rule and its potential to create significant scorelines.
The league introduced changes to the six-again rule this year, expanding the area where referees can penalise infringements. This has led to a noticeable increase in the game’s tempo and a surge in scoring across the opening rounds, with teams capitalising on repeat sets to build pressure and points.
Bellamy acknowledged after the match that the rule change is perfectly suited to dynamic players like Fa’alogo, whose blistering pace can exploit fatigued defences. However, the veteran coach was quick to highlight that Fa’alogo’s remarkable performance, which has seen him score five tries in his first two games, is also a testament to his dedication and a strong pre-season campaign.
“He’s got talent and he’s been touched with the speed brush,” Bellamy stated. “He has convinced me with his pre-season that he is willing to put the hard work in. Last year I reckon I would have beat him in the pre-season. With these six-agains, there seems to be a lot more fatigue in the game. If he can stay reasonably unfatigued I think he can do some damage.”
League legend Greg Alexander is among those who believe Melbourne has unearthed the ideal successor to Papenhuyzen. Speaking on Fox League, Alexander commented, “Well, the new era has dawned, hasn’t it, for the Melbourne Storm in terms of their No.1s?”
Slater’s Guiding Hand Key to Fa’alogo’s Rise
A significant factor in Fa’alogo’s development, according to Bellamy, is the influence of Storm legend and Maroons coach Billy Slater. Slater has been working closely with the young fullback, and Bellamy is convinced this mentorship is preparing Fa’alogo for a significant future at the club.
“I have no doubt he can be our fullback for a long time,” Bellamy added. “He has one of the best teachers in Billy Slater, who does a lot of work with him. He is lightning quick over a short distance, and that’s hard to handle.”
Meanwhile, the Dragons are left to rue a performance that coach Shane Flanagan described as “our own worst enemies.” Several costly errors in the final 20 minutes allowed the Storm to break away, after the Dragons had fought back to lead by two points in the second half. The loss compounds their difficult start to the season, leaving them 0-2 after their opening defeat in Las Vegas. Adding to their woes, the Dragons will be anxiously awaiting scan results for halves Kyle Flanagan and Daniel Atkinson, both of whom played through lower leg injuries during Saturday’s encounter.
